Riverhounds Score Late to Win 2-1
Published on July 25, 2010 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
Charlotte, NC-On a hot and humid night; with a heat index above 100 degrees, the Riverhounds (5-4-6) convert in the 89th minute to win over the Eagles (5-7-5). With the win, the Riverhounds jump ahead of the Eagles in the League standings and secure third place.
With playoffs on their minds, the two clubs showcased an intense and physical battle from the opening whistle. The first half was played primarily in the middle third, limiting the scoring opportunities for either side, as the final penetrating pass could not be connected.
After the break, an early own goal from the Eagles put the Riverhounds on top, but the Eagles fought back and equalized ten minutes later. A combination from the Riverhounds' forwards in the 90th minute would put the Riverhounds on top, 2-1.
The opening goal of the match came in the 50th minute off a Riverhounds' corner. A combination between Alex Weekes and Travis MacKenzie allowed for MacKenzie to slot Chad Severs inside the penalty area on a third attacker run. Only a sliding Eagle defender would deflect Severs' shot out for a corner. The ensuing corner; delivered by Tommy Gray, deflected off of multiple players and found its way into the back of the net for an Eagles' own goal.
The Eagles picked up the pressure on the Riverhounds and converted in the 60th minute to draw even at one. The Eagles' shifty forward, Leo Gibson combined with midfielder Jorge Herrera to knot the score at one. Gibson played Herrera inside of penalty area and frees Herrera for a confident finish past Riverhounds goal keeper, Hunter Gilstrap.
The remaining thirty minutes of regulation was filled with excellent scoring opportunities for both Clubs. The Eagles best opportunity came when Miguel Ferrer attacked down the left flank and slid a ball back for an on rushing Chris Lemons at the top of the eighteen. Lemons' right-footed strike beat Gilstrap but was denied by the upright and ricocheted out for a goal kick.
As the game continued to evolve, overlapping runs from Riverhounds Sterling Flunder and the Eagles Ferrer created numbers up situations for both sides, but Gilstrap and Eagles goal keeper, Corbin Waller stood strong and smothered the attack.
The Riverhounds would find the game winner with a class finish from Severs in the 90th minute. Severs and Lee Kouadio-Tobey would combine for some late game heroics and provide closure to the match. A long direct ball played into Severs allowed for Kouadio-Tobey to overlap Severs and receive a cheeky heel pass and free Kouadio-Tobey deep in the left corner. Kouadio-Tobey would stand up his defender and slide a left to right pass to Severs. The pass from Kouadio-Tobey seemed to have eyes to get through the Eagles defense and find Severs at the back bar. Severs' struck a low hard shot past a diving Waller and just inside the left upright to put the Riverhounds up for good.
The Riverhounds traveled to Richmond following the match to square off against the Kickers (6-5-5) tonight at City Stadium. Kick-Off is slated for 7:00 PM.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 25, 2010
- Professional Monarchs and Battery Play to 0-0 Draw - Real Maryland Monarchs
- Early Goal Provides Richmond a Win - Richmond Kickers
- Riverhounds Score Late to Win 2-1 - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
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