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Pittsburgh Riverhounds

FINAL: FC Cincinnati 3, Riverhounds 1 (U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinal)

Photo courtesy Ed Thompson
Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Quarterfinals

FC Cincinnati 3

Riverhounds 1

Match Stats: USL Championship Match Center

FULL TIME: The Hounds’ run comes to an end at the hands of FC Cincinnati, which came up with some real brilliance to end the Hounds’ state in the U.S. Open Cup. Pittsburgh never stopped fighting, but it was a tough ask after losing Dikwa early.

90′ +3 — GOAL, PITTSBURGH: And just as the Hounds concede a third, they pull one back as Showunmi finds some open space and slots it home. Credit to the Hounds for continuing to fight even with the match dusted; they deserved a goal out of this.

90′ +2 — GOAL, CINCINNATI: Santiago Arias gets his head to the ball and bangs in the corner. This is going to be a very undeserved scoreline for the Hounds.

90′ — Hounds are finally bringing the pressure, but it’s a bit too late for that. Five minutes of stoppage time.

88′ — Hounds get close off a pairr of attacks from Tola Showunmi and Joseph Farrell, but Kann is equal to the task. That’s the best attack the Hounds have had this half by a mile.

83′ — Hounds struggling to generate anything at the other end. They’ve been somewhat close at times, but they really miss Dikwa up top.

71′ — GOAL, CINCINNATI: Not much you can do about that one. Acosta’s corner falls right to Alvaro Barreal, who buries it into the back of the net from outside the box. That was fully earned and a moment of brilliance from the Orange and Blue, and it’s likely the end of the road for the Hounds in this tournament.

70′ — The officials have been wildly inconsistent. There didn’t look to be much in that challenge, but it’s ruled a foul. Conversely, there have been a few calls that were let go that deserved a whistle.

65′ — Tony Lopez and Abdul Osumanu will come on; Luke Biasi and Daniel Rovira off.

62′ — That one was clear. Offside given as Acosta was a step ahead of everyone.

56′ — GOAL, CINCINNATI: After Harmon comes in offside, the Cincinnati attack finally opens up the Hounds’ back line. Pittsburgh protests for offside against Brandon Vazquez, but it’s to no avail. After a lengthy discussion, the goal has been given and Vazquez is the scorer.

51′ — That was the moment, but Etou couldn’t pull the trigger. He had an open lane at the net there; that’s a shot he’s got to get off.

47′ — Badji has the first effort of the second half, and it goes right to Waite. Nothing to worry about there for the Hounds.

HALFTIME — RIVERHOUNDS 0, FC CINCINNATI 0: Can’t really complain too much from the Hounds’ perspective. They’ve played well enough to keep things scoreless despite losing their main attacking threat just 13 minutes in. They’ve given themselves a chance, which is all they can ask for.

45′ — We’re getting four minutes of stoppage time.

43′ — We’re in a water break. Seems like it should have been taken earlier in the half instead of right before the break, but I’m also in the box and not dealing with the 80 degree temperatures.

39′ — That was the biggest moment of danger yet. Brandon Vazquez gets a good look at goal, and Jahmali Waite is equal to the task. However, Waite gives up the rebound and needs the defense to save the day, as Badji nearly poked it home. Pittsburgh still level.

35′ — Yellow card shown to Dominique Badji for a hard foul. The whistles on both sides have really stopped things from getting into a flow. I get the sense that the Hounds are fine with that.

31′ — Through the first half-hour, and Pittsburgh has mostly done its job. The Hounds have defended well enough, and they’re finding space in the box on free kicks. If they can whip the ball into the right spot, there’s opportunity there.

28′ — Hounds playing with a bit more caution now. They know Cincinnati has the speed advantage up top and is likely to press that edge.

23′ — Yellow card to Luke Biasi for his challenge on Acosta, and he’s frankly lucky that’s all it is. Not saying it wasn’t a good idea, as Acosta was nearly clean through, but that could have been a red for denying a goal-scoring opportunity.

20′ — That was almost the moment for the Hounds. Dionysius Harmon had a step on two defenders and would have had a great look at goal had Alec Kann not gotten there first. The FCC keeper snuffs out the danger.

18′ — Hounds had a look for a moment but couldn’t really pull the trigger. It almost fell to Brunallergene Etou, but a little too far out to try a hit. Still, Pittsburgh isn’t panicking without Dikwa.

13′ — That’s a problem. Albert Dikwa goes down on defense and has to be helped off the pitch. Marc Ybarra is coming on to replace him. That’s a big game-changer.

11′ — That was less encouraging, as the Hounds took far too long to close down Luciano Acosta near the box. Acosta was the difference maker the last time I was here; the Hounds can’t lose him.

9′ — Looked like the Hounds were about to spring Daniel Griffin for a run at the goal, but nothing comes of it. Still, Pittsburgh is starting to push into Cincinnati’s third, which is a good sign.

6′ — Hounds get the first corner of the match but can’t do anything with it. So far, both teams are feeling each other out.

4′ — Hounds lose Matt Miazga near the box on a free kick and it’s just barely wide. That can’t happen moving forward.

1′ — Hello folks, we’re officially underway at TQL Stadium. The Hounds will head right to left in the first half, toward the Bailey. Both teams have been on fire in their respective leagues; Pittsburgh hasn’t lost since April 22 and Cincinnati is unbeaten at home in 2023.

 

Match Updates 

Look for pre-match hype, live updates from TQL Stadium here, including starting lineups and game highlights/commentary from Dan Angell.

PSN’s Riverhounds Open Cup Coverage / Previews 

Hounds’ Injury / Inactives:

  • Dani Rovira – Questionable (Knee)
  • Edward Kizza – Out (Red Card Suspension)

Hounds Notebook: ‘Pretty thin up top’ for next Open Cup challenge vs MLS front-running FC Cincinnati

US Open Cup Quarterfinal schedule set; Riverhounds to face FC Cincinnati on Tuesday, June 6

FINAL: FC Cincinnati 2, Riverhounds SC 0 (AET)

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