The Pittsburgh Riverhounds played twenty minutes of exciting attacking soccer, but as we all know....soccer is played for ninety minutes. So what happened in the other seventy?
I'm sure that the Hounds and the coaching staff are asking this question. As are the 5319 fans that watched the Hounds lose 2-1 to the Hershey Wildcats. This was not a "must win" game. Mathematically it is still possible for the Hounds to make the playoffs. But a win would have vaulted them over Hampton Roads and out of last place in the Atlantic Division. If the Hounds could have gotten a bonus point they would have been in a three way race with Atlanta and Raleigh. Things rarely go as planned however, as the Hounds know.
Hershey got on the board early, midfielder Kyle Swords controlled the ball through the middle of the field then lofted a shot from the top of the box. The ball rapidly dipped away from the outstretched hands of keeper Randy Dedini and dinged off the post. It was Swords' first goal of the season, it was also unassisted. Hershey up 1-0 in the fourth minute of play.
In Randy's defense however the shot was a once in a lifetime shot. No matter what goalie at any level was going to do, that ball had goal written all over it.
Pittsburgh played with three forwards trying to get the much needed equalizer but often mis-fired on passing and communication. To compensate for this they switched to the long ball approach. Playing a long pass over the heads of the Wildcat defense and letting the forwards run under them. This almost worked when Adam Fedorak tried to chip over keeper Mike O'Connor in the twenty-sixth minute. Pittsburgh's chances were few and far between however. In fact they only recorded one shot in the first half (however I believe their were at least twice that many). The second chance coming in the thirty-ninth minute when the ball got loose in front of Hershey's net. Wildcat Mike Williams had to clear a Hounds shot from in front of a wide open net.
In the second half Pittsburgh's fortunes were starting to look up. Some opportunities started to show for Pittsburgh as the Hounds started to use their speed against the Hershey defense. But mis-timed passes and bad decisions dogged our beloved Hounds yet again. Justin Evans also had a chance but a "pushed" pass squirted just ahead of him and into the waiting arms of O'Conner.
In the forty-ninth minute of play Lee Tschantret made a neat little mid air back heel pass to Adam Fedorak who was unable to get a good shot off. In the fifty-fourth minute of play one pass too many upset a old man rush as the Cats were able to fall back and disrupt the Hounds momentum.
Pittsburgh finally was able to get it together after sixty minutes of play when Gary DePalma found the back of the net. It was his first goal of the season. Phil Karn got the assist.
The Hounds then did the unthinkable. They broke one of the most sacred rules of the game. Never ever lose your concentration after scoring a goal.
Three minutes later Ze Roberto put the ball into a wide open net to put the Hounds in a hole once again. Randy Dedini went right, the ball went left. To put it frankly, it was a bad goal to give up.
With twenty minutes left to play the Hounds went on the attack. They even produced a couple of opportunities, it was the most exciting twenty minutes of soccer that the Hounds have played this year. I have to admit that I left my seat a few times (much to the chagrin of the more professional reporters in the press box I'm sure) but in what seems to be a recurring theme this season, no one found the back of the net. The Hounds tallied eight shots in the second half alone and managed to get five corner kicks, most of those coming in the last twenty minutes of play.
Phil Karn made a very nice run down the line and got a blistering shot off on goal. It was a great save by O'Conner. Mike Apple had a shot of his blocked in the extra time. Of the eight shots recorded these were the best opportunities.
NOTES:
So were does this leave Pittsburgh in the playoff hunt? In a very deep, dark and dank hole I'm afraid. Pittsburgh does have a game in hand over Hampton Roads and two games over Raleigh, but plays three of the remaining four games on the road. Two of which, against Indiana and Cincinnati are back to back. They then return home to play division leader Richmond on Sept. 2nd. Then face the Wildcats in Hershey two days later.
Pittsburgh MUST WIN both road games. A bonus point from each would well.....be a bonus. When they return home on the 2nd of September to play Richmond they should win. I am basing this on the fact the Richmond has already clinched a playoff spot and should be resting its normal starting lineup. But once again - PITTSBURGH NEEDS TO WIN.
Two days later they play Hershey in Hershey - say it with me now - PITTSBURGH NEEDS TO WIN.
Raleigh, Atlanta and Hampton Roads play each other several times over the next two weeks. What the Hounds need is for those teams to tie each other. Preferably in hard physical matches so Hershey will be tired for the game on September 2nd.
ON A PERSONAL NOTE:
This will be my last report for A-league.com this season, unless the Hounds make the playoffs. I will be attending a wedding on September 2nd even though I would rather be at the game.
I am looking forward to the next season when I hope to be working for this fine group of people again. Special Thanks go out to Dan Barnes and the Hounds organization, in particular Sharon the Media contact for the team. Thanks for all your help and advice. Keep up the good work.
GO HOUNDS
Robert J. Wilson
