MONTREAL (August 10, 2016) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (3-14-4) were unable to overcome a three goal first half by FC Montreal (3-18-1), dropping a 4-1 decision on the road at Complexe sportif Claude-Robillard.
Taking advantage of a depleted Pittsburgh roster dealing with the absences of midfielders Kevin Kerr and Lebo Moloto and defender Mike Green, Montreal pounced for three quick goals within the match’s first 30 minutes – Alessandro Riggiin the first minute, Ballou Yves-Jean Tabla in the 11th minute, Anthony Jackson-Hamel in the 26th minute.
Corey Hertzog decreased the deficit to three in the 41st minute after intercepting a bad pass by Montreal’s Janouk Charbonneau, leading to an open run on goal. The Hounds forward evaded pressure from goalkeeper David Paulmin in the box, pushing the ball to his left before deftly finishing from a difficult angle for his team-leading eighth goal on the season. The tally also gave Hertzog goals in three-straight, his second streak of such length this season – he scored in five-straight during the month of June.
The Hounds wouldn’t fare much better in the second half. Ceding a goal to Nevello Yoseke in the 75th minute, Pittsburgh was forced to finish the match down a man minutes later after a late, sliding challenge by Columbus Crew SC loanee Chad Barson resulted in a red card in the 78th minute.
Montreal, who entered the match with a league-worst 16 goals scored on the year, tallied its first win at home this season after losing nine-straight and is the first opponent to score four goals on the Hounds since the Harrisburg City Islanders won 4-3 on July 26, 2015 – the Hounds would also surrender four to FC Montreal on the road in a 4-2 defeat that season.
Pittsburgh now heads home for a quick turnaround against Bethlehem Steel FC (6-8-8) on Saturday, August 13 at 7 p.m.
Line-ups:
Riverhounds – Mauricio Vargas – Marshall Hollingsworth (Zak Boggs 80′), Willie Hunt, Ryan Adeleye (Sergio Campbell 46′), Chad Barson – Danny Earls, Rodrigo Saravia, Duwayne Ewart (Nick Thompson 46′), Stephen Okai (Alejandro Aguilar 82′), Cristian Martinez (Jack Thompson 80′) – Corey Hertzog
Subs not used: Hunter Gilstrap, Nick Kolarac
FC Montreal – David Paulmin – Aron Mkungilwa (Zachary Sukunda 87′), Thomas Meilleur-Giguère, Kyle Fisher, Janouk Charbonneau – Marco Dominguez (Nevello Yoseke 56′), Fabrice Mbvouvouma, Alessandro Riggi (Philippe Lincourt-Joseph 60′), Mastanabal Kacher, Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla (Pierre Lamothe 79′) – Anthony Jackson-Hamel (Heikel Jarras 66′)
Subs not used: Luca Leone, Jems Geffrard
Scoring Summary:
MTL: Alessandro Riggi 1′ (Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla)
MTL: Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla 11′
MTL: Anthony Jackson-Hamel 26′ (Ballou Jean-Yves Tabla)
PGH: Corey Hertzog 41′
MTL: Nevello Yoseke 75′
Misconduct Summary:
MTL: Marco Dominguez 38′ (Caution)
MTL: Aron Mkungilwa 42′ (Caution)
PGH: Sergio Campbell 74′ (Caution)
PGH: Chad Barson 78′ (Red Card)