Riverhounds Win First USL PRO Home Game of Season against Rochester
Published on July 4, 2014 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
Before a sellout Fourth of July crowd at Highmark Stadium, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds won their first home game of the year, defeating the Rochester Rhinos 2-0.
The Riverhounds used the same formula in beating the Rhinos for the second time in the past month - by scoring both second half goals from set pieces.
The goals came from two unlikely heroes, a pair of defenders, Andrew Marshall and Alfonso Motagalvan, who tallied their first goals of the season. Goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap recorded his second shutout of the season to lead the Hounds to their second consecutive win for the first time in USL PRO league play in 2014.
"It was very rewarding. Our defense was outstanding. What a game in the back those guys played. Everyone was really outstanding. Everyone," said Niko Katic, Riverhounds Interim Head Coach.
After a sluggish first half played by both teams, the Riverhounds came out attacking at the beginning of the second half.
"We had more urgency to get forward. We talked about our midfield playing a little bit higher, especially our center midfielders, because they're great at distributing the ball. We started to get more numbers up there, and that opened it up for us," said Marshall.
In the 51st minute, Matt Dallman tried to send a cross from the right end-line, but Rochester's Pat Slogic's handball knocked the ball down, setting up a free kick from the edge of the box.
Danny Earls sent a nicely placed free kick to the near post, and Marshall took care of it from there, heading it through to give the Hounds the 1-0 lead.
Last game, Danny took a similar shot from the same place. So I looked at him, and I knew he was going for goal," said Marshall.
"So, I took off, beat my man to that spot, and somehow, don't know what I used, my shoulder, my head, something, but I got it across. He put in a great, dangerous ball, and I was fortunate to put it in."
Continuing to pressure Rochester's back line, the Riverhounds forced a corner kick as Rochester's Baba Diallo misplayed a ball in the 66th minute.
Dallman then delivered a corner kick that sailed past a scrum near the center of the goal box area, and an unmarked Motagalvan squared to the goal, and managed to knock it in with the side of his body for the two-goal advantage.
"We had better possession, and those set pieces came from the plays we were making, creating chances," said Katic.
Both teams were not able to create many scoring chances early stages of the match.
In 17th minute, Rhinos midfielder, Johnny Mendoza, slid a shot past Riverhounds goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap, but he was called for an offside infraction. Rochester added a few dangerous crosses in the half, but were mostly unable to connect.
The Riverhounds had trouble generating shots in the first half, as only Jose Angulo's free kick in the 34th minute, was the only shot they could muster in the first half against one of the better defensive units in the USL PRO.
"It was tough in the first half, playing into the wind, the sun was tough. They're one of the most organized, toughest units we play against. But finally we're starting to grind as a group and really work for each other," said Gilstrap.
The Riverhounds starting line-up on Friday included: Gilstrap (GK), Dallman, Marshall, Motagalvan, Sterling Flunder, Kevin Kerr, Rob Vincent, Earls, Michael Green, Jose Angulo and Joseph Ngwenya. Seth C'deBaca came in for Kerr and Collins John replaced Mike Green in the 68th minute. MIke Seth was an 85th minute substitution for Ngwenya. Miro Cabrillo came in for Angulo in stoppage time.
The Fourth of July holiday match was the third, and final meeting between the two teams, as the Riverhounds took the season series with two wins, including a historic first-ever victory at Rochester's Sahlen's Stadium after 19 tries.
The win came before a lively, sellout crowd, and seemed to inspire the home side.
"It was great win. A better performance for our fans. They deserved it. Thanks to everyone who came out. They deserved it more than we did, that's for sure," said Gilstrap.
The Riverhounds (3-8-5, 14 points), entering the final, two-month stretch of their season, hold on to playoff hopes as they look to move up in the USL PRO Standings.
"We can't get ahead of ourselves, but the truth is, eighth place (and final playoff spot) is not that far ahead of us. I think that's a realistic target for us if we put together results like this," said Marshall.
The Riverhounds next opponent will be Oklahoma City, next Saturday, July 12, at Pribil Stadium in Oklahoma City. They return to Highmark Stadium on Thursday, July 17, when they will take on Charlotte Eagles, as it will be hat giveaway night.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 4, 2014
- Riverhounds Win First USL PRO Home Game of Season against Rochester - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- LA Galaxy II Return to Winning Ways with 4-2 Victory - LA Galaxy II
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- Sacramento Republic FC July 4 Match Sold Out - Sacramento Republic FC
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