
Hounds Bound for the Open Cup's Fourth Round
Published on April 25, 2023 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC is through to the Fourth Round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup after defeating NISA team Maryland Bobcats FC, 2-0, in a Third Round match tonight at Highmark Stadium.
Edward Kizza broke the deadlock with an 81st-minute goal, and Burke Fahling added the insurance goal in stoppage time to put the Hounds into the final 32 of the nation's oldest national soccer competition. Goalkeeper Christian Garner recorded his first pro shutout in his second career start.
Riverhounds Academy product Anders Bordoy, whose saved shot led to Fahling's goal, entered the game in the 89th minute to become the second-youngest player ever to appear in a competitive match for the Hounds at 18 years, 4 months and 9 days.
First half
The Hounds entered the match with a handful of players making their first starts for the club, and the team put out a strong performance with 58 percent of possession and a 22-6 edge in shots.
The team struggled to hit the target with their first-half chances, however, as Fahling was the first to force saves by Bobcats goalie Alex Sutton with consecutive shots in the 36th and 38th minute.
Second half
The Bobcats threatened early in the second half, and their leading scorer, Darwin Espinal, weaved into the penalty area to force one of three saves by Garner in the 57th minute.
The Hounds then went to the bench with 20 minutes to play, and one of the fresh faces into the game was Kizza, whose last two goals for the club came as a substitute in last year's playoff win over Birmingham.
Luke Biasi chipped a ball from the right side to the back post, where Tola Showunmi rose to head the ball back to the front of the goal for Kizza to power it into the net with nine minutes left to play.
As the game entered stoppage time, Bordoy found himself with room to shoot from the top of the box and drilled a low shot toward the back post. Sutton made the initial save, but Fahling was in the right spot to put home the rebound.
Hounds Man of the Match
Burke Fahling put in a strong 90-minute shift, racking up 25 touches in the opponents' final third, putting 3 of 6 shots on goal and winning 11 of 20 duels playing his central midfield role.
What's next?
The Hounds will find out their Fourth Round opponent in the draw scheduled for Thursday, but before the next cup match will be a return to USL Championship play when they visit Indy Eleven on Saturday, April 29 at 7 p.m.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from April 25, 2023
- Saydee and Hoppenot Connect, But Hartford Fall 2-1 to New England - Hartford Athletic
- Markanich's Extra-Time Winner Sends Charleston Past Charlotte in U.S. Open Cup - Charleston Battery
- Victorious Riverhounds Advance to Open Cup 4th Round - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Hounds Bound for the Open Cup's Fourth Round - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Everything You Need to Know Before Orange County SC Heads to Portland - Orange County SC
- Oakland Roots Head to Sacramento Republic for NorCal U.S. Open Cup Clash - Oakland Roots
- San Antonio FC Acquires Samuel Adeniran on Loan from MLS Side St. Louis City FC - San Antonio FC
- Joe Corona Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - San Diego Loyal
- The Battle for Miami: Miami FC and Inter Miami Set to Clash in the Highly-Anticipated Clásico at FIU Stadium - Miami FC
- Republic FC Midfielder Luis Felipe Named to USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 6 - Sacramento Republic FC
- Rocco Rios Novo and Kevon Lambert Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - Phoenix Rising FC
- San Antonio FC Midfielder Cristian Parano Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - San Antonio FC
- Memphis 901 FC Trio Earns USL Championship Team of the Week Honors - Memphis 901 FC
- Monterey Bay F.C.'s Christian Volesky claims second Player of the Week honor after leading side past Indy Eleven - USL
- Game Information and Match Notes - SAFC at Nashville SC - San Antonio FC
- Volesky Earns 2nd USLC Player of the Week Honor - Monterey Bay FC
- Miami FC Academy Promotes Young Talent Lorenzo Di Mercurio to Senior Team Roster in Club's Historic Move - Miami FC
- Indy Eleven Inks New Corporate Partnership with Sports Tech HQ - Indy Eleven
- Oakland Roots Sports Club Announce New Kickoff Time and Location for the May 13th Home Game - Oakland Roots
- San Antonio FC Acquires Rida Zouhir on Loan from MLS Side CF Montreal - San Antonio FC
- Memphis Travels to Familiar Grounds in Atlanta Looking to Make U.S. Open Cup Noise - Memphis 901 FC
- LouCity, FC Cincinnati Meet Again in Open Cup's Third Round - Louisville City FC
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.