Pittsburgh Defeats Flames in Game Costly to Both Teams
July 10, 2004 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Westchester Flames News Release
New Rochelle, NY - The Pittsburgh Riverhounds made it eight in a row by defeating the Westchester Flames 6-2 Saturday evening. But the outcome was quickly overshadowed by an injury to Pittsburgh player, Granit Caushaj, who suffered a broken left leg in the 88th minute of the game. The Flames, missing leading scorer Evaud Thompson, took an early lead in the 9th minute when forward Costea Decu and midfielder Alex Tobon Villa teamed up and Tobon Villa put a rebounding shot into the lower left hand corner past Hounds goalkeeper Chris Robinson.
Play was tight throughout the first half with the Hounds putting on most of the pressure. A flurry of shots midway through the period resulted in Flames goalkeeper Guillermo Valencia making a brilliant save on a shot heading into the upper left hand corner of the net.
But, the Flames could not keep up the defensive posture, and in the 42nd minute, Hounds forward Said Ali scored the first of his three for the match, with David Flavius providing the assist. Ali also scored in the 49th and 64th minutes of the game, both were unassisted.
In the second half, with the Flames looking for more offense, they got it, but not from themselves. Flavius gave the Hounds a 4-1 lead in the 68th minute with Tiest Sondaal garnering an assist on the goal.
Westchester fought back, and Decu found the back of the net in the 70th minute with a beautiful goal off a direct free kick. The shot curled through the wall and past Robinson into the right corner. This was the last of the offense for the Flames.
Defensive errors abounded, with the Hounds capitalizing in both the 76th and 86th minutes. Gary DePalma and Granit Caushaj both scored.
Two minutes after Caushaj scored, he was on the ground, screaming in agony with a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg. Flames captain Laurence Piturro was issued a yellow card on the play, but it was later changed to a red card.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 10, 2004
- Pittsburgh Defeats Flames in Game Costly to Both Teams - Westchester Flames
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