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Pittsburgh Riverhounds

FINAL: Riverhounds SC 0, FC Cincinnati 0

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs FC Cincinnati

Saturday, October 6 – 7:06 p.m. – Highmark Stadium

GAME UPDATES

8:56 – We’re in stoppage time now. Four minutes given so maybe somebody can get a game winner, but it sure doesn’t feel like one’s coming

8:51 – Ray Lee comes in for Jordan Dover — third and final sub for Hounds.

8:48 – Another chance coming for Cincy. Greenspan clears ball away on end line and corner in also headed away by Big Joe.

8:46 – Dabo called for foul — brings down Albadawi. Free kick coming for FCC from 25 yds on left side. Ball in to far post area goes over everything

8:41 – Final sub for FCC Cicerone in for Welshman

8:35 – Kay Banjo in the game for Neco Brett

Joe Holland in for Ben Zemanski.

8:29 – FCC with game’s first sub: Albadawi in for Bone (63′)

8:25 – Dan Lynd comes way off line to play ball, but Welshman beats him to it, but FCC striker stumbles with nothing but net in front of him. Lynd was able to get back and grab ball (62′)

8:11 – in early going of second half, Brett gets a feed on edge of box, dribbles a downward shot that misses right of the post.

7:54 – Halftime

Game remains scoreless. Both teams pushing for goals, but nothing to show for it.

FIRST HALF SHOTS:

Shots: Hounds 8-2  SOG: 2-1

Passing Accuracy: Hounds 68-60

Possession: Cincy 52-48

7:25 – high ball in dangerous spot — Roberts looks a bit shaky contesting Welshman, both players go down. No call.

7:18 – Cincy with golden chance after nice build up – but Dan Lynd with solid save.

7:15 – Francois gets into box — ball deflected out. Corner kick connects with Parkes, but soft header goes over bar.

7:13 – Parkes gets forward — keeps ball alive with some fancy footwork and cut backs. Gets higher up end line, then ball in for Dover. Shot goes way over bar. 6′

 

 

WATCH
ESPN+

FOLLOW
Twitter: @RiverhoundsSC – #PGHvCIN | #UNLEASH

Stats: USL Match Center

PSN COVERAGE

Mark Goodman – Scouting Report

John Krysinsky – Reporting

Ed Thompson – Photos

KEY STORYLINES 

This will be the fourth meeting overall between these two clubs and the third in the USL regular season. Cincinnati, fresh off clinching the USL Regular Season crown, has gotten the better of the results with a 3-0-1 record.

Finishing a two-game road swing unbeaten, the Hounds return home with a playoff berth and homefield for at least the first round clinched. The club’s focus now lies on the No. 2 spot in the conference, where despite being tied with Louisville in games played (31) and points (57), it trails last year’s league champs via tiebreaker for wins (15-to-14).

For the Hounds to catch and overtake Louisville, picking up three points against Cincinnati will go a long ways, but also be a considerable challenge. The Queen City side has not conceded defeat since May 26 and currently has won 10 straight games dating back to August. Additionally, the Hounds are 0-5-3 all-time against Cincinnati.

Pittsburgh’s attack will to provide the spark needed, as the club has scored multiple goals in five straight games – the longest such stretch in franchise history during the modern era of USL play (since 2011).

Off the pitch, the Black and Gold have a whole host of festivities going down. The Hounds say thank you to the fans for Fan Appreciation Night with the first 2,000 in attendance receiving co-branded “boom sticks,” courtesy of EPIC Brokers & Consultants.

The Hounds will also be celebrating Breast Cancer Awareness Month with Kick for Cancer, presented by Allegheny Health Network. The first 1,000 fans, in addition to getting a boom stick, will receive a special pink shirt, courtesy of AHN. The Hounds will wear special edition kits that will be raffled off with proceeds going to local breast cancer advocacy organization Glimmer of Hope.

MORE ON FC CINCY

First place to turn to learn more about FC Cincy — is to Mark Goodman — aka Riverhounds Rabbi’s latest Scouting Report on the boys from the Queen City…

 

GK Spencer Richey training at Highmark. Credit: FC Cincinnati via twitter

RIVERHOUNDS RABBI SCOUTING REPORT – Watch this FCC match closely

FC Cincinnati claimed its 10th consecutive USL win – the longest winning streak in USL history – when the Orange and Blue defeated Indy Eleven, 3-0, on Sept. 29 – besting the previous all-time longest winning streak of nine games, set by Real Monarchs SLC in 2017.

With the 2-1 win over Penn FC on Sept. 22, the Orange and Blue claimed the second-longest unbeaten streak in USL history, surpassing Orlando City SC’s mark of 18 matches unbeaten, set in 2014 … the Richmond Kickers set the USL’s longest unbeaten run when they went unbeaten in 22 consecutive matches in 2013.

So far in 2018, Emmanuel Ledesma, Danni König, Nazmi Albadawi and Corben Bone have combined for 46 of FC Cincinnati’s 69 goals … that is more than 21 USL clubs have scored this season

When Albadawi scored at Richmond on Sept. 26, it marked the first time three FC Cincinnati goal scorers have reached double digits in a single season … The Orange and Blue became the third USL club to ever record the feat, joining LA Galaxy II (2018) and New York Red Bulls II (2017).

 

WHAT THEY’RE SAYING

#PGHvCIN

Joe Greenspan and Hugh Roberts joined me in the Pittsburgh Sports Live studio on Thursday and shared their thoughts on the match up…

 

 

FC Cincinnati Head Coach Alan Koch

On how he thinks Pittsburgh will approach this game…

“It’s obviously a big game for them to finish as high in the league as possible from a playoff standings perspective. So, it’s a big game for them. But, it’s a big game for us too. It’s a really nice situation as far as I’m concerned, to play Pittsburgh and play Nashville, [who] are both competing for things still. [The games are] going to be very, very meaningful games for them, but also meaningful games for us in terms of preparation, preparing ourselves for the postseason. I’m glad we’re playing two quality teams in the last two weeks, because you don’t want to let off and you don’t want to slow down, you want to be ramping up to get yourself ready for the postseason.”

FC Cincinnati Midfielder Jimmy McLaughlin

On if it’s beneficial to play against teams that still have something to play for in terms of regular-season finish…

“I think both of these games are going to be a playoff-type game. Both of these [teams] are fighting for positions, Nashville is fighting to get in and Pittsburgh is locking in their [first round home match]. They’re both going to be coming out flying and they’re both top teams, so it’s a good test for us. I definitely think there’s an added benefit to that.”

 

TEAM RECORDS
FC Cincinnati overall: 23-3-6
FC Cincinnati road record: 11-1-3
Streak: W10

Pittsburgh overall: 15-4-12
Pittsburgh home record: 9-2-6
Streak: T1

HOUNDS INJURY REPORT
Kevin Kerr – Doubtful (Calf)
Kyle Morton – Out (Lower-body)

RECENT HEAD-TO-HEAD
Sept. 1, 2018, at Nippert Stadium
FC Cincinnati 2, Pittsburgh 1

SCORING SUMMARY:
PGH – Romeo Parkes 57’ (Kenardo Forbes)
CIN – Dekel Keinan 80’ (Emmanuel Ledesma)
CIN – Fanendo Adi 88’ (Kenney Walker)

April 21, 2018, at Nippert Stadium
Pittsburgh 2, FC Cincinnati 2

SCORING SUMMARY:
PGH – Jordan Dover 6’
CIN – Danni Konig 59’ (Corben Bone)
PGH – Thomas Vancaeyezeele 73’ (Kenardo Forbes)
CIN – Kenney Walker 78’

SEASON LEADERS
Pittsburgh
Goals: Neco Brett (15)
Assists: Kenardo Forbes (8)
Points: Neco Brett (37)
Saves: Dan Lynd (37)
Save %: Dan Lynd (.685)
GAA: Dan Lynd (0.78)

FC Cincinnati
Goals: Emmanuel Ledesma (16)
Assists: Emmanuel Ledesma (15)
Points: Emmanuel Ledesma (47)
Saves: Evan Newton (56)
Save %: Evan Newton (.778)
GAA: Evan Newton (0.80)

LAST TIME OUT…
Pittsburgh
Pittsburgh 2, Charlotte 2

SCORING SUMMARY:
PGH – Romeo Parkes 4’ (Neco Brett)
CLT – Jorge Herrera 19’ (Alex Martinez)
CLT – Éamon Zayed 86’ (Jorge Herrera)
PGH – Ben Zemanski 90’+4 (Hugh Roberts)

LINEUP:
Dan Lynd – Andrew Lubahn (Kenardo Forbes 65’), Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Joe Greenspan, Hugh Roberts, Jordan Dover – Mouhamed Dabo, Ben Zemanski – Romeo Parkes, Noah Franke (Christiano François 54’) – Neco Brett (Kay Banjo 84’)

FC Cincinnati
FC Cincinnati 3, Indy Eleven 0

SCORING SUMMARY:
CIN – Fanendo Adi 34’ (Jimmy McLaughlin)
CIN – Danni Konig 65’ (Jimmy McLaughlin)
CIN – Carlyle Mitchell 74’ (own goal)

LINEUP:
Evan Newton – Pa Konate (Blake Smith 53’), Dekel Keinan, Sem de Wit, Matt Bahner – Jimmy McLaughlin, Michael Lahoud, Tyler Gibson, Russell Cicerone – Fanendo Adi (Tomi Ameobi 88’), Danni Konig

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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