City United fall, 2-1, to FC Inter Atlantic; lose grip on first place

Pittsburgh City United was defeated, 2-1 by Laurel, Maryland-based FC, Inter Atlantic on Saturday in a match-up of the top two teams in the Northeast Conference, Beltway North Division standings.City United (5-2 15pts), was limited to only a pair of chances in the first 15 minutes of the game as FC Inter Atlantic (5-1-1 16pts) poured the shots on early, but were unable to convert any real chances due to strong goalkeeper play from 2019 Haiti, U17 World Cup starter, Judler Delva.

City United countered the FC Inter Atlantic Attack with strong attacking midfield play from last week’s UPSL Northeast Conference Team of the Week selection Ndayisenga Emmanuel and recently signed players Matthew Teitelbaum and Emil Maldonado, although turnovers in the midfield and defensive third hurt City United’s momentum and FC Inter Atlantic was able to capitalize with an opening goal in the 31st minute by Kingsley Nwosu.

City United soon after, tightened their defense giving up only 3 shots in the next 35 minutes, having given up 11 in the previous 35. The onslaught of shots and opportunities continued for City United, but they were unable to convert, finishing the half with 15 chances to Inter Atlantic’s 11.

The first 25 minutes of the second half saw a major improvement in City United’s attack with 12 chances to FC Inter Atlantic’s 3 finally converting in the 51st minute with the game-tying goal when Teitelbaum received a beautiful service from Maldonado on the edge of the box before finishing to even the score at 1-1.

6 minutes later in the 61st minute however FC Inter Atlantic took advantage of their limited second-half opportunities when Inter Atlantic attacker Benhur Gebretnsouie placed a shot past Judler Delva into the left corner of the net to make the score 2-1 in favor of Inter Atlantic.

The next 9 minutes started another fury of chances for City United although the Pittsburgh team could not capitalize as the momentum took another shift in the 70th minute when FC Inter Atlantic nearly converted on multiple chances improving their shot total in the second half from 3 to 10.

City United responded with 5 chances of their own in the final 20 minutes even securing a late penalty when substitute Marquis Flowers was tackled in the box after receiving a beautiful through ball from U17 World Cup starter Jean Emmanuel Geffrard.

Geffrard took the penalty but was unable to convert in the right corner after a brilliant save from FC Inter Atlantic goalkeeper Torres. City United’s attack would fizzle out in the closing minutes as FC Inter Atlantic held on for the victory 2-1 and now leads the division with 16 points 1 point ahead of City United.