Late Heartbreak for Hounds at Home
July 9, 2024 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
PITTSBURGH - A stoppage-time goal by Monterey Bay FC's Ousseni Bouda sent the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to a heartbreaking 1-0 loss in front of a sold-out crowd tonight at Highmark Stadium.
Bouda pounced on a turnover in the Hounds defense and scored to give Monterey Bay (7-8-4) the win in their first visit to Pittsburgh.
It came against the run of play in a match the Hounds (3-9-6) otherwise controlled, holding 52.4 percent of possession, outshooting the visitors 18-5 and winning 10 corner kicks while not conceding any.
First half
The Hounds had the lion's share of chances in the match, starting with a volley by Bradley Sample that deflected off a defender and had to be pushed wide of the post for one of nine saves by Monterey Bay goalie Carlos Herrera. On the ensuing corner, Langston Blackstock was pulled down in the box, but the loud penalty shout by the players and crowd of 5,018 went unheard.
Sample turned playmaker on a great chance late in the half, holding up play before slipping a pass through to Edward Kizza. Kizza had space in the box, but he was unable to get his shot around Herrera charging off his line.
Second half
The second half started in much the same manner, as Robbie Mertz weaved through the defense on a solo run and took a low shot that forced a save just three minutes after halftime.
Former Hounds forward Alex Dixon then had the visitors' best chance to that point, as Monterey Bay tried to hit back on the counter, but Dixon's chip attempt around goalie Eric Dick bounced well wide.
As the match moved into the final 10 minutes, the Hounds kept pushing for a goal. Jackson Walti created a good chance by heading across back through the box to Babacar Diene, but his off-balance header was handled by Herrera.
One last great chance came when Junior Etou got to the goal line on the left and cut a pass back to Kenardo Forbes at the penalty spot, but the Hounds' veteran missed high.
That set up Monterey Bay to be able to get the winner in the first minute of stoppage time. Bouda gave chase as the ball got deep in the Hounds end, and he was able to intercept Sean Suber's pass toward Dick before finishing.
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