ROCHESTER RHINOS 2 PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS 1 (FINAL)
ROCHESTER RHINOS 2 PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS 1 (FINAL)
Hounds Relinquish Lead In Waning Seconds Of Regulation – Rochester Forces Double OT – Win On PK’s
The Rochester Rhinos, a thorn in the Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ side since their inception, struck again, eliminating the Hounds in Game One of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tournament. Rochester earned a 2-1 win after the game was decided by penalty kicks following 120-minutes of pounding soccer.
Despite playing down a man for the last 18 minutes of regulation, plus nearly four full minutes of stoppage time, the Riverhounds held a 1-0 lead on defender Tenywa “T-Bone” Bonseu’s first half goal in the 22nd minute from midfielder Justin Evans. That was until the Rhinos got a tying goal from Tai Atieno off a corner kick sending the match into a first 15-minute overtime period. Mike Ambersley was credited with the assist. The Hounds had to play 10-on-11 after losing Bonseu in the 72nd minute when he received a questionable red card for dangerous play. Even so, Pittsburgh heartily withstood a steady storm from Rochester, but just came short of finishing off their former A-League (now United Soccer Leagues First Division) nemisis in regulation.
In the first overtime frame, Pittsburgh faced several strong Rochester challenges, including a solid header from Atieno. But the Hounds had perhaps the best opportunity to score when Jason Kutney powered a ball that was deflected away by the fingertips of Rhinos keeper Scott Vallow as time expired in the first extra session.
Late in the second overtime session, the officials ruled that Mauricio Salles was tackled in the Pittsburgh goal box and awarded a penalty kick to Rochester. Atieno took the shot against Hounds goalkeeper Danny Waltman, but it banged off of the crossbar It would be the first of two PK misses by Atieno.
The match then went to penalty kicks, with five players from each side getting cracks at their opponent’s net. Atieno’s miss was followed by a successful strike by Pittsburgh’s Ed Hayden, putting the Hounds up 1-0 on penalty kicks. Andrew Gregor made it 1-1, then Nathan Salsi’s shot was stuffed by Vallow. Kenney Bertz gave Rochester a 2-1 lead on PK’s, then Vallow again stuffed Justin Evans’ try for Pittsburgh. Salles then made it 3-1, but Allan Brown kept Pittsburgh alive, scoring on a sharp low roller making it 3-2. Tiger Fitzpatrick put the game away, scoring to put the Rhinos up 4-2, and giving Rochester the 2-1 win.
Head Coach Gene Klein was proud of his club’s effort. “Our team played well and played hard and deserved a better outcome”.
2,723 fans witnessed the extended and grueling game at Marino Auto Field in Rochester, New York. This was the third match between Pittsburgh and Rochester in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Tournament through the years. Rochester has won all three Cup matches between the sides. Rochester will play the USL-1′s Cleveland City Stars in the Tournament’s 2nd Round.
Pittsburgh returns to USL-2 play on Thursday night when they host the Bermuda Hogges at Chartiers Valley Stadium. The Hounds remain home for a Sunday night match versus the Richmond Kickers.
via – Pgh RiverHounds’ Release.
