On an unexpectedly pleasant Tuesday evening at Highmark Stadium, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds played host to fellow USL Championship side FC Tulsa in the former’s 2024 U.S. Open Cup debut, but the visitors advanced to the Round of 16 and a date against the winner of USL League One’s Union Omaha and MLS side Sporting Kansas City.
Phillip Goodrum scored the game-winning goal, taking a throw-in that landed near his feet before the always-dangerous forward neatly placed the ball through traffic and inside the back post to give Tulsa the 1-0 win in the 88th minute.
It’s the first time FC Tulsa advanced past the Fourth Round of the Open Cup in team history. After six unsuccessful attempts, it marked the first time the club had won a game on the road in the tournament.
While the weather thankfully avoided a dreary forecast, it was a tough first half for both sides that featured heavily rotated lineups. Each squad, many members of whom were making their starting debuts in 2024, took a healthy amount of time to feel each other out, with some scattered chances few and far between and unconverted by either side.
The Riverhounds largely had the better of the chances, primarily coming from the play of forward EJ Johnson along the left wing. His first opportunity would come in the 5th minute, as a shot from the left wing seemed an easy save for Tulsa goalkeeper Joey Roggeveen, but slipped through his legs and very fortunately went wide of the net.
Johnson would continue to apply the pressure, generating another pair of chances in the 20th and 25th minute. The first came as his run behind the defense was found from midfield. Johnson ran towards the byline and fired in a dangerous cross that unfortunately beat everyone, including his onrushing teammates.
His second would come in similar fashion, with a more concentrated run straight towards goal and right at the last line of Tulsa’s defense. He’d generate a bit of space for his left foot, but would ultimately fire wide of the goal. That counter would also generate the first yellow of the night for Tulsa’s Rashid Tetteh for dragging down Babacar Diene and stopping his run cynically.
Tulsa’s best chance would come just prior to half, as a missed interception by Pittsburgh’s Jackson Walti left the midfield badly exposed. The numerically advantaged Tulsa attack was able to generate a shot, but it was blocked by a well-positioned Hounds defense and went out for a corner – taken and cleared as the whistle blew.
The second half started much like the first, slowly and with difficulty, but it was Tulsa who found the first substantial chance this time. A corner just prior to the hour mark was placed nicely into the box and headed home by Milo Yosef for the visitors, but the assistant referee was quick to raise the flag and wave the goal off for offsides.
The Hounds responded quickly, substituting on usual starters Junior Etou and Danny Griffin, who rapidly changed the pace of play. The fresh legs generated several turnovers and key passes, leading to multiple chances in the box for their teammates — specifically with potential chances for Langston Blackstock and Bradley Sample blocked by Tulsa defenders.
Despite several late flurries and a lot of stoppage time, the Hounds found themselves unable to answer back, and the Riverhounds faithful watched their run come to an end in much quicker fashion than their 2023 effort. They now prepare for a league rematch with Tulsa on the road Saturday.
