PITTSBURGH (May 18, 2016) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds dropped their Lamar Hunt US Open Cup opener, 0-2, to Lansdowne Bhoys FC at Highmark Stadium. Despite a bevy of chances, the Hounds couldn’t crack the Lansdowne defense and have now extended their winless streak on the season to eight games.
The tallies from the Bhoys came in the 10th and 76th minute, respectively.
Craig Purcell opened the scoring on a free kick following a Karsten Smith foul in the 10th minute. Taking the set piece from about 30 yards out from the right side, James Nealis curled his take finding Purcell’s head, who hit it past a diving Mauricio Vargas far post. James Kavanagh would later add a tally off a counterattack that saw Oakley Ovanshoot an odd angled shot on Vargas. The Hounds keeper sent the rebound in front of the box and, from there, Kavanagh would send the second chance home for the eventual final of two-nil.
Despite the score, the Hounds controlled play for much of the match, finishing with advantages in the shot department (14-to-8) and corner kicks (8-to-4). The Hounds nearly cashed in on two occasions, the first coming in the 55th minute when a Corey Hertzog header bounced off the crossbar and then the goal line. Caleb Postlewait then nearly found the net after a beautiful cross from Kevin Kerr in the 86th minute. Kerr sent the ball in towards the far post, finding Postlewait whose glancing shot just missed beating the Bhoys keeper.
The Hounds continue a busy week with a home date against Toronto F.C. II this Saturday, May 21. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.
Line-ups:
Riverhounds – Mauricio Vargas – Ryan Dodson (Nick Kolarac 84’), Karsten Smith, Willie Hunt, Mike Green – Zak Boggs (Drew Russell 59’), Lebo Moloto, Stephen Okai, Kevin Kerr, Conor Branson – Corey Hertzog (Caleb Postlewait 77’)
Subs not used: Hunter Gilstrap, Alex Harlley, Sergio Campbell, Isaiah Schafer
Lansdowne Bhoys FC – Abdoukarim Danso – Shaun Foster, Sean Kelly, James Nealis, Tom Wharf (Ciaran McGuigan 30’) – Craig Purcell, Stephen Roche – Conor Hunter, Daryl Kavanagh (Karim Russel 82’), Oakley Ovan (Michael Bello 86’), Sikele Slyvester
Subs not used: Timothy O’Driscoll, Aidan Tucker
Scoring Summary:
LAN – Craig Purcell 10’ (James Nealis)
LAN – Daryl Kavanagh 76’
Misconduct Summary:
LAN – Conor Hunter 30’ (caution)
LAN – James Nealis 45’ (caution)
LAN – Ciaran McGuigan 49’ (caution)
PGH – Lebo Moloto 55’ (caution)
PGH – Drew Russell 60’ (caution)
PGH – Drew Russell 69’ (caution/ejection)
LAN – Shaun Foster 90’ (caution)