CINCINNATI (April 19, 2022) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s bid to knock of an MLS team came up just short after the Hounds fell 2-0 in extra time against FC Cincinnati in the Third Round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup at TQL Stadium on Tuesday night.
The two teams finished regulation tied 0-0, sending the match to an additional 30 minutes. Alvaro Barreal scored both goals for Cincinnati in the opening 10 minutes of extra time, the first from a somewhat controversial penalty kick and the second with a well-placed finish from a broken play.
Cincinnati advances to the Fourth Round in three weeks, while the Hounds fall to 1-6 all-time against MLS teams, despite all six losses being by either one goal or after forcing the extra period.
First half
The Hounds brightest attacking moments came in the first 45 minutes, as they outshot FCC by a 6-3 margin and recorded the only two shots on goal.
Of those, a shot by Alex Dixon was the first test for Cincinnati goalkeeper Roman Celentano, and Danny Griffin was played in on goal off the chest of Albert Dikwa, but he was unable to get much power on the short-angle shot with Celentano closing in. Russell Cicerone also had a trio of half chances, but a pair of headed efforts went wide and a first touch that was slightly too strong killed a potential 1-on-1 with the goalkeeper.
Second half
Cincinnati’s attack came alive after the break. Allan Cruz hit the right upright just four minutes after halftime, and Hounds goalkeeper Jahmali Waite made the first of five saves on the second effort by Nicholas Markanich.
Waite again stood tall in the goal in the 62nd minute to tip a long-range shot from Barreal over the crossbar, as the former UConn goalkeeper was excellent in his second professional start.
As regulation time wore on, Cincinnati got more chances, and in the 83rd minute Arturo Ordonez made a game-saving play for the Hounds. With the ball pinging around in traffic near the penalty spot after a Waite save on Luciano Acosta, the ball was played to Markanich, who was wide open on the right side. His shot had the far corner of the next picked out, but Ordonez guarded the line and headed the ball clear on a firmly struck shot.
Extra time
Just four minutes into extra time, Barreal got into the left side of the box, and Waite came off his line to challenge. It appeared the FCC player’s touch was too heavy and would roll out of play, but he made the most of contact and drew a penalty call.
Barreal converted into the top right corner in the 95th minute, and he would double the lead in the 99th minutes after a collision led to a 2-on-2 situation, in which he cut to the inside and finished into the bottom right corner.
The Hounds continued to press for a goal, but tired legs after playing three days earlier began to show, and Cincinnati held the bulk of possession in the second half of the extra 30 minutes.
Hounds Man of the Match
Arturo Ordonez provided the biggest play of regulation time, and he logged all 120 minutes to remain the only Hounds player to not leave the field all season. The first-year pro out of Pitt had a team-high-tying three clearances, and completed 53 of his team-high 65 passes (82 percent).
What’s next?
With cup season over, the Hounds can put a three-game road swing behind them when they return home to face Atlanta United 2 at 7 p.m. Saturday at Highmark Stadium.
Riverhounds SC lineup (5-2-2-1) — Jahmali Waite; Luke Biasi (Shane Wiedt 91′), Jelani Peters (Mekeil Williams 91′), Nate Dossantos (Toby Sims 104′), Arturo Ordonez, Alex Dixon; Dani Rovira (Kenardo Forbes 74′), Danny Griffin; Russell Cicerone, Luis Argudo (Angelo Kelly 80′); Albert Dikwa (Dane Kelly 74′)
FC Cincinnati lineup (4-2-3-1) — Roman Celentano; John Nelson (Arquimedes Ordonez 70′), Ian Murphy (Alvas Powell 70′), Nick Hagglund, Zico Bailey; Haris Medunjanin (Yuya Kubo 91′), Harrison Robledo; Alvaro Barreal, Allan Cruz (Luciano Acosta 78′), Issac Atanga (Calvin Harris 78′); Nicholas Markanich (Junior Moreno 102′)
Scoring summary
CIN — Alvaro Barreal 95′ (penalty)
CIN — Alvaro Barreal 99′ (Alvas Powell)
Discipline summary
PIT — Danny Griffin 36′ (caution – persistent infringement)
PIT — Albert Dikwa 68′ (caution – unsporting behavior)
PIT — Luis Argudo 72′ (caution – unsporting behavior)
CIN — Nick Hagglund 90′ (caution – unsporting behavior)
CIN — Haris Medunjanin 90+1′ (caution – dissent)
