Kickers Defeat Pittsburgh 3-1
Published on June 22, 2014 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - The Richmond Kickers defeated the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 3-1 Sunday afternoon at Highmark Stadium. After midfielder Shay Spitz gave the Kickers the advantage inside the first five minutes, the Riverhounds conceded an own goal before pulling one back early in the second half. Prolific goal scorer Matthew Delicâte rounded out the scoreline, notching his sixth goal in five games, to solidify the victory on the road.
The Kickers jumped out to an early lead when midfielder George Davis IV stripped the ball in the midfield before a give and go sprung Delicâte free inside the box in the 5th minute. Riverhounds goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap leapt to block the forward's shot, punching the ball back into the mix, as an onrushing Spitz blasted home the rebound.
Six minutes later, Kickers defender Sascha Görres played a long ball into the box from the left wing. In an attempt to head the ball back to his keeper, Riverhounds defender Brian Fekete inadvertently redirected the ball into his own goal to double the score.
After the restart, the Riverhounds pulled a goal back inside the first 10 minutes of the second half when Angulo settled a square pass and fired a left-footed rocket from 25 yards out, directly into the upper 90.
The Kickers retaliated with their third goal of the night in the 68th minute when midfielder Hugh Roberts collected the ball in the midfield and slotted it through to an unmarked Henry Kalungi on the right touchline. Working the ball into Riverhounds territory, the Kickers' captain lofted a cross into the box, finding Delicâte at the back post who leapt above his defender to nod the ball into the far side netting.
Angulo was dangerous again four minutes later when midfielder Brian Ownby centered the ball for him at the top of the box but Willis was on his line and smothered his blazing strike.
On the counter attack, the ball was cleared out to second half substitute Nate Robinson on the left wing who switched it across the field via Davis who played a leading ball to Juan Arbelaez. Rounding the right channel, he sliced a low driven ball from the right edge of the box that whistled just past the left post in the 75th minute.
With less than 10 minutes remaining, the Riverhounds attempted to reduce the deficit when midfielder Danny Earls played the ball over the defense, finding former Kickers midfielder Joseph Ngwenya who split his defenders and fired a shot from 12 yards. Willis leapt to his right to parry the ball from harm's way, coming up big one last time to deny Miroslav Cabrilo's follow up shot to preserve all three points.
The Richmond Kickers continue a three game road trip with back-to-back matches against the Charleston Battery and Wilmington Hammerheads next Friday, June 27 and Saturday, June 28, respectively. Both games will broadcast live on YouTube.com/RichmondKickers.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from June 22, 2014
- Dayton Dutch Lions FC Beaten in Close Match - Dayton Dutch Lions
- Orlando City Defeats Dayton to Set New Club Record for Unbeaten Matches - Orlando City SC
- Kickers Defeat Pittsburgh 3-1 - Richmond Kickers
- Riverhounds Fall to Richmond Kickers 3-1 at Highmark Stadium - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- LA Galaxy II Earn 1-1 Road Draw against Arizona - LA Galaxy II
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