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Rough Riders suffer 1-0 defeat to Pittsburgh

July 31, 2004 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Long Island Rough Riders News Release


(Plainview, N.Y, July 31, 2004 ) – In a must win game, the Long Island Rough Riders came out back on their heels. The opening few minutes of the game saw Pittsburgh show why they are the best team in the league, scoring early and holding on for a 1-0 road victory.

Pittsburgh was able to open the scoring in the tenth minute of play. After a few minutes of pressure to start the game, the Riverhounds were able win a corner off a deflected shot from Matt Chulis. Midfielder Steve Armas served in the corner kick from the right flag, the ball floated into the center of the penalty area where it was deflected to the left of keeper Dan Sirota by the head of Riverhounds defender Nathan Salsi for the goal.

The Rough Riders were able to pick up their play following the Pittsburgh goal. The Long Islanders put together a few opportunities of their own starting with a shot by Moussa Sy, which was deflected by a Pittsburgh defender just over the cross bar. The Rough Rider's best opportunity of the half came in the 39th minute when a cross from the left sideline by Steve Cadet was headed just wide of the net by Moussa Sy.

The second half began the way the first ended with the Rough Riders holding Pittsburgh at bay. The Rough Riders knew that their playoff lives were at stake and played with everything they had left in them. The Rough Riders had a quick chance to equalize the game when a free kick was headed back into the penalty box but Dahir Mohammed knocked the ball just over the net in the 51st minute.

The momentum of the game fully changed into the Rough Riders favor in the 62nd minute when Pittsburgh midfielder Mike Adeyemi received a red card for throwing an elbow. Minutes later, a cross from the right side of the box by Carlo Espinosa was met by a one-touch shot by Moussa Sy. Sy's shot was well-saved by Pittsburgh keeper Chris Robinson.

The remainder of the game was filled with constant pressure from the Rough Riders. Their persistence nearly got them an equalizer in the 89th minute when a cross from Carlo Espinosa was headed over the bar by Derrick Etienne.

With the end of the game in sight, the Rough Riders pushed everyone forward in hope of scoring the tying goal. A scramble in the box ensued, and the ball popped up to defender Rich Bradley. Bradley unleashed a line drive header which went just high of the goal ending the Rough Riders chance of tying the game.

The Rough Riders drop their record to 7-9-1 and now must go undefeated for the remainder of the season in order to make the playoffs. The next three games will be on the road against the Wilmington Hammerheads, Charlotte Eagles and Western Mass Pioneers.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from July 31, 2004


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