Hounds Fall to FC Cincinnati, 2-1
September 1, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
CINCINNATI - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (12-4-10) lost to FC Cincinnati (18-3-6), 2-1, on Saturday at Nippert Stadium.
The club took a lead behind a Romeo Parkes goal in the 57th minute, but the Queen City side struck twice from the 80th minute onward to clinch three points.
"We're not going to hang our heads on this one," head coach Bob Lilley said. "We gave a good account of ourselves. It certainly isn't a moral victory, but it's nothing to concern ourselves with other than we play them once more in the regular season. There's a good chance we may meet them somewhere down the road in the playoffs, and we don't need to be afraid to play them."
How It Happened
To open the second half, the Hounds had a golden opportunity.
After being taken down inside the penalty box by Forrest Lasso, Kay Banjo lined up to take a penalty kick. However, the forward's shot ultimately sailed over the crossbar, and the score remained at 0-0. But the Hounds would soon notch their go-ahead tally.
Eight minutes later, Kenardo Forbes fed Romeo Parkes inside of the penalty box. The striker then placed a left-footed shot high and past Cincinnati goalkeeper Spencer Richey to give Pittsburgh the 1-0 advantage.
Once the Hounds went up, FC Cincinnati increased its pressure on the Black and Gold backline. After winning a free kick, midfielder Emmanuel Ledesma booted a ball into the penalty area, and defender Dekel Keinan headed the ball into the net to knot the score at 1-1 in the 80th minute.
Just eight minutes later, second-half substitute Fanendo Adi notched the game-winning goal for FC Cincinnati. Moments after being shown a yellow card, Adi sprinted into the 18-yard box, alluded by a couple Hounds and released a left-footed shot past Hounds goalkeeper Mike Kirk.
Despite combining for 10 total shots, both sides finished the first half scoreless.
FC Cincinnati nearly had a goal in the 27th minute until defender Joe Greenspan interfered. Receiving a long ball, Ledesma, Cincinnati's leading scorer, tipped it past Kirk. As the ball rolled toward the net, Greenspan hustled back and kicked it up over the crossbar at the last second to preserve the 0-0 score.
The Hounds had two first-half shots on goal after Greenspan's remarkable effort. In the 30th minute, Banjo held the ball before a Cincinnati defender in the penalty area tripped him up. Parkes gathered the ball afterward before it was poked away from his feet. Defender Jordan Dover then blasted a shot at the net, as the ball rolled to him, but his take was saved away from the goal.
The second shot of these takes on goal came off the foot of Banjo just five minutes later. The striker received a feed from Christiano François, turned in the center of the 18-yard box and Richey subsequently saved his shot.
Man of the Match
Romeo Parkes led the Hounds with three total shots and recorded their only goal.
Stat of the Game
With his tally, Romeo Parkes now has the seventh most road goals (eight total) in club history.
Beyond the Box Score
Receiving the starting nod, Romeo Parkes starts his first match since the team's game at North Carolina FC on July 28.
Christiano François registered a game-high four key passes.
With an assist, Kenardo Forbes raised his team-leading total to eight helpers this season.
Defender Hugh Roberts led the club with nine clearances and tied for the team lead with two tackles. What's Next
Riverhounds SC will return home to battle Bethlehem Steel FC (12-10-6) at 7 p.m. on Friday at Highmark Stadium. The Hounds won their first meeting, 2-1, in August at Goodman Stadium.
Lineups:
Riverhounds SC - Mike Kirk - Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Tobi Adewole, Joe Greenspan (Dennis Chin 90'), Hugh Roberts, Jordan Dover - Romeo Parkes (Ben Zemanski 78'), Mouhamed Dabo, Kenardo Forbes, Christiano François (Neco Brett 70') - Kay Banjo
Subs not used: Nathan Ingham, Ben Fitzpatrick, Andrew Lubahn, Todd Pratzner
FC Cincinnati - Spencer Richey - Pa Konate (Michael Lahoud 66'), Forrest Lasso, Dekel Keinan, Justin Hoyte - Fatai Alashe (Jimmy McLaughlin 72'), Kenney Walker - Corben Bone, Nazmi Albadawi, Emmanuel Ledesma - Danni Konig (Fanendo Adi 75')
Subs not used: Evan Newton, Sem de Wit, Tyler Gibson, Emery Welshman
Scoring Summary:
PGH - Romeo Parkes 57' (Kenardo Forbes)
CIN - Dekel Keinan 80' (Emmanuel Ledesma)
CIN - Fanendo Adi 88' (Kenney Walker)
Misconduct Summary:
CIN - Forrest Lasso 38' (caution)
CIN - Fanendo Adi 88' (caution)
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