HOUNDS, FC CINCINNATI BATTLE TO 0-0 DRAW (original) (raw)

PITTSBURGH (September 14, 2016) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (6-16-6) played FC Cincinnati (14-6-8) to a nil-nil draw in the first head-to-head meeting between the two clubs at Highmark Stadium.

Hounds goalkeeper Zack Steffen shined, stopping all three shots faced on goal out of 10 total for his second clean sheet in seven career starts. His effort was fortified by a Pittsburgh backline of Willie Hunt, Sergio Campbell, Mike Green and Ryan Adeleye, as well as the latter’s second half replacement, Marshall Hollingsworth, that held a Cincinnati attack averaging 1.44 goals per game entering the match to only its fourth scoreless showing on the season.

The match’s first 45 and change consisted mainly of a defensive gridlock with both squads trading possession and near misses of dangerous chances on goal.

Pittsburgh opened the second half with the better showing of play in the first 20 minutes, pushing the pace in the Cincinnati defensive end.

Unable to crack the Cincinnati backline though, the Hounds had to call upon Steffen to keep the match scoreless in the 66th minute. A two-minute flurry for the opposition, Cincinnati first threatened as second half sub Jimmy McLaughlin sent a stellar cross in from the left for the back post. Unmarked, Andrew Wiedeman put a clean header directly on goal, forcing Steffen to react immediately for the save.

After Steffen collected the ensuing corner, Cincinnati regained possession off the goal kick, pushing to break the scoreless tie. Firing a ball into the box, chaos ensued in front of the Hounds net, as the ball bounced off multiple players before landing at the feet of Casey Townsend. The Cincinnati forward wasted no time pushing a shot on goal, but the crossbar stonewalled his bid for a goal.

The clubs would trade near chances from there, with Cincinnati coming close to a go-ahead goal in the 78th minute off a McLaughlin shot just missing the far post, while both Lebo Moloto and Nick Thompson had open looks, but could not find the frame.

Action concluded with the Hounds getting a last chance corner in second half stoppage time. Moloto curled a strong take into the box, ticketed far post for a streaking Thompson, but goalkeeper Mitch Hildebrandt was quick to the ball to ensure the draw.

Despite nabbing a point at home for the third-straight match, the Hounds were officially eliminated from playoff contention with the result.

Pittsburgh now heads to Bethlehem to face Steel FC (6-13-9) in the penultimate match of the season this Sunday, August 18. Kickoff is set for 3 p.m. at Goodman Stadium. For more information on the Hounds’ final road game of the year, visitwww.riverhounds.com.

Line-ups:

Riverhounds – Zack Steffen – Willie Hunt, Ryan Adeleye (Marshall Hollingsworth 46′), Sergio Campbell, Mike Green – Stephen Okai, Lebo Moloto, Kevin Kerr, Cristian Martinez (Jack Thompson 72′) – Corey Hertzog, Chevaughn Walsh (Nick Thompson 61′)

Subs not used: Hunter Gilstrap, Jordan Murrell, Zak Boggs, Alejandro Aguilar

FC Cincinnati – Mitch Hildebrandt, Derek Luke, Harrison Delbridge, Evan Lee, Tyler Polak – Omar Mohamed (Jimmy McLaughlin 46′), Kenney Walker, Paul Nicholson (Eric Stevenson 85′), Andrew Wiedeman – Casey Townsend (Corben Bone 72′), Sean Okoli

Subs not used: Jaye Dallas, Austin Berry, Alvaro Ripoll, Ross Tomaselli

Misconduct Summary:

PGH – Cristian Martinez 45′ + 1′ (Yellow Card)

CIN – Kenny Walker 60′ (Yellow Card)

CIN – Tyler Polak 86′ (Yellow Card)

Cleveland Brothers “Blue Collar Player of the Game” – Zack Steffen

Quote Sheet:

Dave Brandt

Thoughts on FC Cincinnati…

For sure, they are a quality opponent all the way around. One full of attackers without a doubt. It was not like the pressure was off in any respect. I thought our back four played very well. But in the end it was a back five, Ryan Adeleye had a bit of a tweak, and some Marshall came in. Those five guys did a fantastic job.

On not tallying a goal…

I think we’re not able right now to open up and press, and go forward as quickly as I would like to. I think at times when we’ve done that, we’ve paid, and it’s just not the right thing for us to do right now. I think depending on the opponent then, and then Chevy [Walsh] had a little of an off night tonight. I think for him, he played through the summer, was off a little bit, and got quickly integrated here. We’ve hit him hard with heavy minutes. His legs are heavy right now. So we hope to regroup for Sunday.

On Sergio Campbell..

I think Sergio has steadily improved. For me this was his best 90-minute performance. No lapses in concentration. No mistakes, and absolutely made things happen.

On Cristian Martinez…

I’d like to take a little credit for that. Because Cristian’s English is sparse, so I’ve taken to typing notes with Spanish translation. I give it to him before the game, and we sit down together. He is a talented young player. We are happy to have him on the squad right now for sure. He’s got a lot of ability, and it is exciting to watch. He is fun to watch. He is young, and he has things to learn. He makes us hold our breath a couple of times from the defending stand point, because he loves the ball, and he loves attacking. But we need him to defend as well. I think Cristian is a great thing.

On Zack’s play tonight…

Zack has been fantastic for us, on the field and off the field. With the guys in the locker room, his performances I think in every respect have spoken for themselves. He is just a real, true, professional. Quality person. Quality goalkeeper. Of course he gives us confidence.

On playing for a goal in the last 20…

For sure. I’m always wanting to protect, because I don’t want to give one up. Our corners were kicking too high most of the game, but they didn’t on that last one. We forced them back. I always thought we could nab one at the end. I thought we pushed them a bit. We were tired, so were they.

On what to expect these last two games…

I’ve been operating with the same mindset the whole time. I don’t think that situation changes anything. We are going to move ahead, the way we’ve moved ahead. Finish the season with integrity, and in the best way possible. I’m a big picture guy, and we need to keep putting quality out on the field. Getting results in any way we possibly can.

Sergio Campbell

On tonight’s match…

It wasn’t my best game against them. I was pretty sure we were going to be able to score. The guys around me were doing pretty well. I wasn’t worried about it that much. We are just focused on our team. We didn’t let it be a big factor for us.

On his play this season…

It’s always good to get in on the majority of games. It’s good to pick that up as a player. It’s good to be consistent. It’s not really about me; it’s the guys around me that help me get better everyday. I love them so much. The team is getting where it wants to be. If it wasn’t for them, I wouldn’t be improving everyday, or being consistent.

On his mindset for the last two matches…

I think the mindset has been the same. Coach always drills into us, during practice, that we need to go out there and show up everyday. Playoffs or not, there is something special there around us and in the future.