Match Report: Riverhounds SC 2, Bethlehem Steel FC 2

Riverhounds 2, Bethlehem Steel FC 2 – FINAL

Box Score: USL Championship Match Center

From USL/Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC reports 

Both sides held the lead in the first half as honors ended even between Steel FC (1-2-1, 4pts) and the Hounds (0-1-2, 2pts) in their first meeting since last year’s USL Cup Playoffs.

The Hounds quickly took the lead in the fourth minute when Kevin Kerr slid in at the back post to tuck away a low cross by Ryan James from the left.

TOO CLEAN. TOO GOOD. 🔥🔥🔥#UNLEASH | #BSTvPIT pic.twitter.com/aRhN9K2dJU

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) March 30, 2019

Bethlehem responded in the 21st minute when Faris headed home powerfully from the top of the six-yard area off a cross by Issa Rayyan from the right.

Steel FC then took the lead 10 minutes before halftime when Michee Ngalina unleashed a great finish from 25 yards into the top-right corner.

Kerr had the chance to restore parity just before halftime from the penalty spot, only for Carlos Miguel Coronel to make his second penalty-kick save of the season to keep the hosts on top.

Just Carlos doing Carlos things!!

BST 2 | 1 PIT#WeAreSteel | #SteelSquad | #BSTvPIT pic.twitter.com/PeWaZQSIPv

— Bethlehem Steel FC (@BSteelFC) March 31, 2019

The Hounds evened the game on the hour-mark as Joe Greenspan rose above the crowd to head home off a corner kick.

USS GREENSPAN GOT GOALS. ⚓️#UNLEASH | #BSTvPIT pic.twitter.com/FZykUOLkRx

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) March 31, 2019

Bethlehem twice almost regained the lead as James Chambers had a shot deflected just over in the 74th minute and Faris was denied by a fine save by Hounds goalkeeper Kyle Morton, but a late winner didn’t materialize as the Keystone state rivals ended all square.

“We need more possession,” head coach Bob Lilley said. “They set out to play very direct and they used their pace. We have to have the composure to keep the ball and make them chase. Early in the second half, we did that and we limited their chances. We scored the goal to tie it, but as the half went on we went back to rushing.”

Look for PSN’s Mark Goodman with his post-match analysis and player grades in the following day. 

GOALS/ASSISTS

PIT – Kevin Kerr (Ryan James) 4’
BST – Faris (Issa Rayyan) 21’
BST – Michee Ngalina (Zach Zandi) 36’
PIT – Joe Greenspan (Kenardo Forbes) 60’

DISCIPLINARY SUMMARY

BST – Chavany Willis (caution) 29’
BST – Faris (caution) 44’
BST – James Chambers (caution) 70’
PIT – Jordan Dover (caution) 72’

LINEUP

Bethlehem Steel FC: Carlos Miguel Coronel; Walter Cortés, Matt Real, Ben Ofeimu, Issa Rayyan; James Chambers ©, Chavany Willis; Anthony Fontana, Zach Zandi; Michee Ngalina, Faris (Shanyder Borgelin 90’)

Substitutes not used: Kris Shakes; Steve Kingue, Selmir Miscic, Cole Turner

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Kyle Morton; Jordan Dover, Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Joe Greenspan, Tobi Adewole, Ryan James; Kevin Kerr (Christian Volesky 71’), Kenardo Forbes ©, Mouhamed Dabo (Anthony Velarde 78’); Neco Brett, Steevan Dos Santos

Substitutes not used: Ben Lundgaard; Uchenna Uzo, Caleb Smith, Sammy Kahsai, Noah Franke