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Riverhounds Shutout Toronto FC II To Spoil Renovated Stadium Debut

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Courtesy USL Reports/Pittsburgh Riverhounds
VAUGHAN, Ontario (July 8, 2015) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds notched a second successive shutout win Wednesday night with a 2-0 victory over Toronto F.C. II in the Baby Reds’ inaugural game at the recently renovated Ontario Soccer Centre.
Kevin Kerr fired home his seventh goal of the season to give the Hounds a great start on nine minutes. Defender Anthony Arena capped a 100-yard sprint on the counter attack to slide home the clincher in injury time after Toronto had thrown every player forward for a corner kick.
Pittsburgh’s second away victory of the year lifts them to a 7-5-4 record (25 points) ahead of Sunday’s trip to F.C. Montreal at Stade Saputo.
Mike Green’s long throw-in led to the opening goal. Hamilton, Ontario native Miro Cabrilo flicked the ball toward the center of the 6-yard box before Fejiro Okiomah nudged it onward. Kerr pounced to strike a sharp finish beyond goalkeeper Alex Bono.
A sweeping Hounds move almost led to a second goal on 17 minutes. Rob Vincent and Stephen Okai moved the ball out to Kerr on the right. Willie Hunt charged forward on the overlap before finding Cabrilo with his cutback. The Canadian forward spun his marker inside the box before a covering Reds defender recovered to block his shot.
Vincent missed a chance to double the lead on 23 minutes when he met a Danny Ealrs inswinging corner kick. The Englishman’s header drifted narrowly wide of the far post.
The Hounds enjoyed the better of the possession and chances during the first period, outshooting the hosts by 8-2. That pattern continued after the interval. Vincent again went close with a left foot shot that sneaked inches wide on 51 minutes.
Toronto found its groove as the second half progressed without forcing Hounds goalkeeper Calle Brown into action. A late flurry led to a corner kick in stoppage time that saw goalkeeper Bono joining the attack.
Kerr took possession of a clearance deep on the left of midfield with Bono and his defenders giving chase. None of them could keep up with the streaking Arena who surged onto Kerr’s pass before slotting the ball into the empty net.
The Hounds will train in Toronto Thursday morning before driving on to Quebec for Sunday afternoon’s meeting with F.C. Montreal. Kickoff is at 4 p.m. Fans can watch a live stream of the game on Riverhounds.com.
FIFA Women’s World Cup finalist Meghan Klingenberg will be our special guest on July 18 when the Hounds return home to face Louisville City at 7 p.m. Tickets are selling fast.
Be sure to visit Riverhounds.com for information or call the Highmark Stadium box office on (412) 325-7241 to speak with a representative.
Scoring Summary:
PGH – Kevin Kerr 9′ (Miro Cabrilo, Fejiro Okiomah)
PGH – Anthony Arena 90+’ (Kevin Kerr)
Misconduct Summary:
PGH – Danny Earls 30′ (caution)
PGH – Drew Russell 80′ (caution)
Line-ups:
Riverhounds – Calle Brown, Sterling Flunder, Anthony Arena, Fejiro Okiomah, Willie Hunt, Danny Earls, Stephen Okai (Matt Dallman 65′), Rob Vincent, Kevin Kerr, Mike Green, Miro Cabrilo (Drew Russell 69′)
Toronto F.C. II – Alex Bono, Mark Anthony Kaye, Daniel Fabrizi, Skylar Thomas, Edwin Rivas, Luca Uccello, Marcos Nunes (Anthony Osorio 69′), Liam Fraser, Malik Johnson (Stefan Vukovic 68′), Massimo Mirabelli, Jordan Hamilton (Edwin Rivas 82′)
Attendance: 867

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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