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USL Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Hounds Fall to Battery on Late Goal, 1-0

July 21, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release


PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (9-2-7) fell to the Charleston Battery (9-3-8), 1-0, on Saturday at Highmark Stadium.

The loss snaps the team's six-game unbeaten streak, dating back to May 30. With the defeat, the Hounds fall to third place and the Battery jump to second place in the Eastern Conference standings.

How It Happened

The match seemed destined for a nil-nil draw until Charleston went ahead in the 88th minute.

Striker Ataulla Guerra, on the receiving end from an Angelo Kelly-Rosales pass, placed a header from close range by goalkeeper Dan Lynd to the bottom left-hand corner of the net. The shot was just the Battery's fifth take of the match.

Striker Neco Brett had two of the Hounds' best scoring chances in the second half.

Following a handball in the penalty area during the 53rd minute, the Hounds were awarded their first penalty kick of the season in USL play. Taking the chance, Brett elected to place his shot to the bottom right-hand corner and saw his opportunity saved by Charleston goalkeeper Joe Kuzminsky.

Brett nearly made up for his penalty miss in the 78th minute. Receiving a through-ball from defender Ray Lee, the forward let loose a take, but was again saved by the fingertips of Kuzminsky.

The first half of action started slow, but the Cheetah accelerated the action for the Hounds.

Christiano François started his assault in the 16th minute. Following a superb passing display from Kevin Kerr and Brett, the ball landed at the feet of François, who stood on the left side of the penalty box. Working free, the attacking winger blasted a shot off the crossbar, just missing his third goal of the season.

François had another near scoring opportunity in the 27th minute. From the center of the 18-yard box, he launched another shot. This time, Kuzminsky blocked the ball away before it hit the post and continued wide.

The Cabaret, Haiti native finished the first half with three shots, two takes on target and two key passes, which all led the team during the period.

The Pittsburgh backline held strong in the first-45 minutes, only allowing two total shots and one shot on net, which was a slow take from well beyond the penalty box.

Man of the Match

Christiano François fueled many of the Hounds' scoring opportunities during the match, tying for the team lead in shots on goal (two) and key passes (two), as well as pacing the squad in shots (three).

Stat of the Game

The Hounds possessed the ball for double the amount of time in its offensive third (31.5 percent) than its defensive third (15.1 percent). Beyond the Box Score

Charleston's goal ends defender Joe Greenspan's streak of not being on the field for a goal allowed this season. His streak is snapped at 644 minutes.

Despite outshooting their opponent, 11-5, the Hounds could not grab the victory. Both of the team's losses this season came when it outshot its opposition.

The Hounds recorded 10 corner kicks in the match, which ties a season high.

Awarded a penalty kick in the 53rd minute, it marks the first time the Hounds went to the penalty spot since the 2017 season finale (Oct. 14) - a penalty kick goal by Corey Hertzog against Ottawa Fury FC in the 77th minute. What's Next

Riverhounds SC will hit the road to battle North Carolina FC (6-8-5) at 7 p.m. on Saturday, July 28 at WakeMed Soccer Park. The Hounds won their first meeting this season - a Fourth of July clash - by a score of 2-0.

Lineups:

Riverhounds SC - Dan Lynd - Ray Lee, Tobi Adewole, Joe Greenspan, Hugh Roberts, Jordan Dover - Kevin Kerr (Kay Banjo 82'), Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Kenardo Forbes, Christiano FranÃ- ois - Neco Brett (Romeo Parkes 82')

Subs not used: Mike Kirk, Todd Pratzner, Andrew Lubahn, Noah Franke, Mouhamed Dabo

Charleston Battery - Joe Kuzminsky- Neveal Hackshaw, Taylor Mueller- O'brian Woodbine (Vincenzo Candela 80'), Tah Brian Anunga, Angelo Kelly Jay Bolt- Gordon Wild (Victor Mansaray 71'), Ataulla Guerra, Kotaro Higashi (Nico Rittmeyer 64')

Subs not used: Odisnel Cooper, Ian Svantesson, Patrick Okonkwo, Ryan Arambula

Scoring Summary:

CHS - Ataulla Guerra 88'

Misconduct Summary:

CHS - Ataulla Guerra (Caution 83')

PGH - Thomas Vancaeyezeele (Caution 89')

Quote Sheet

Head coach Bob Lilley

On carrying the game ....

"We were better the first half. The second half was a little more even, but I still think we created the better moments and carried the game. I am really happy with how we played."

On the game overall...

"I am happy with the chances we created - that's soccer. It would have been awesome getting the three points today. This was maybe the best game we played all year, we just didn't come out with the win."

On Neco Brett's missed PK...

"Neco Brett will think about that for the next couple days. We will put our arm around him on Monday and say just keep getting it."

Midfielder Kenardo Forbes

On the loss at home...

"It is very disappointing. It's a big game at home and we dropped three points. It is kind of hard to swallow."

On forgetting about the loss...

"The key to being a pro, you have to have short term memory. We have to sulk tonight and get over it tomorrow. We have to come back ready for practice Monday."

On being unlucky...

"It's just one of those days. Today up front, the three guys were moving really well. We were just unlucky hitting the post a couple times."

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