Pittsburgh Riverhounds Communications
On a humid Tuesday evening at Chartiers Valley Stadium, the Riverhounds defeated the Detroit United Soccer Club of the USASA to advance into the second round of the US Open Cup.
The first half appeared to be a battle of the midfield as each team tried to figure out the other’s style of play. The Hounds started to cause problems for Detroit when a long diagonal ball by Adam Gazda played outside midfielder Matt Tuttle in behind the defense. He beat his man to the goal line, but his cross got deflected for a corner.
Both teams battled for the ball off the corner kick. Detroit was holding strong, thwarting many chances, but not for long. The constant pressure by the Hounds had Detroit scrambling causing a defender to prevent the ball from crossing the goal line with his hand. A penalty kick was awarded in the 35th minute, and Alex Weekes stepped up confidently. Weekes froze the goalie with a stutter step and tucked the ball into the right side of the net putting the Hounds up 1-0.
In the remaining minutes of the first half, there was a free kick from about 30 yards out. With the crowd on their feet, Adam Gazda struck a laser of a shot into the upper left corner of the goal, putting the Hounds up 2 goals going into the half.
The Hounds started off strong in the second half to put the game away. The first scoring opportunity of the half occurred when Riverhounds defender Nate Salsi played a diagonal ball to Matt Tuttle. His shot was deflected and Detroit regained possession.
In the 51st minute, Detroit player Fernando Gatica received a caution for a dangerous tackle. The Hounds remained level headed and continued to play hard and fight for another goal.
In the 52nd minute, Niko Katic, Gazda and Weekes combined on a third man run to create another shot on goal. The Detroit goaltender stifled another attack when Lee Kouadio Tobey deflected a ball off the crossbar and was cleared out of danger by Detroit.
The final minutes of the game were an even match between the two teams, ending in a score of 2-0 with the Hounds on top.
The Hounds will travel to take on the Rochester Rhinos next week in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup.
Referee: John Safer
Assistant: Andrew Tsouris
Weather: Cloudy/Warm
Attendance: 237
Team Summary- Detroit United
GK Ryan Mathe, Thomas Stark, Thomas Eller, Zach Wilkes, Adam Nesbitt, Jake Munchiando, Kenny Simon, Luigi Djokic (Worteh Sampson 64’), Nic Djokic, Fernando Gatica, Jeremy Stoychiff(Sam Sappo 64’)
Shots:6
Saves: 5
Fouls: 5
Corners: 3
Cautions: Fernando Gatica (51’)
Team Summary- Pittsburgh Riverhounds
GK Hunter Gilstrap, Ed Hayden, Nate Salsi, Louie Rolko, Ryan Pierce, Mike Seth, Niko Katic (Shintaro Harada 76’), Adam Gazda, Matt Tuttle, Alex Weekes, Lee Kouadio Tobey
Shots: 12
Saves: 3
Fouls: 10
Corners: 5
Cautions: Matt Tuttle (85’)