FINAL: Riverhounds 1, Crew 2 0

U.S. Open Cup Round 3

FINAL: Columbus Crew 2 0-1 Riverhounds

Stream: Paramount+

Instant Recap

It wasn’t comfortable, but the Hounds proved the better of the two sides in their U.S. Open Cup contest with the Columbus Crew 2 – defeating the Capybaras to secure advancement to the Round of 32.

The first half began with the younger, fresher legs of the Capybaras giving the Hounds some trouble on their three-days rest. An aggressive press saw the visitors struggle to string passes together, and turn the ball over, leading to a few dangerous runs into the Hounds box. Luckily for the Championship side, Jacob Randolph was sharp off his line in goal and able to sweep up any early danger.

The Hounds would find their footing sooner than later, however, particularly down the left wing via Jason Bourgey – who had an impressive first half. As they gathered more and more possession and passing success, the Hounds sent multiple crosses and corners flying from the left side – mostly blocked, but growing more and more frequent as the half progressed.

It would be just before the half-hour mark when the Hounds pressure would finally find release with the initial breakthrough. After earning yet another corner, this time via the right wing, the Jorge Garcia corner was taken short towards the near post with multiple Hounds in the vicinity. While it appeared that Max Broughton got his head to the corner to flick it onwards, it seemed to be Danny Griffin that got the final touch to re-direct it on net. The ball caromed off the Crew 2 keeper’s hands and found the back of the net for the 1-0 lead for the visitors.

The Hounds would miss an excellent chance to double their lead moments later in the 35th minute. This time, Danny Griffin received a pass centrally and turned to find a run from Augustine Williams in behind the defense. His excellent pass hit Williams in stride, but the striker’s one-on-one effort was directed straight at the goalkeeper and was parried away from danger.

Ultimately, the remaining first half would pass uneventfully, as the Hounds would comfortably see out their advantage into the break and on the front foot for the majority of the match thus far.

The Crew 2 made that a challenge early in the second half, however, as they pursued an equalizer. It began with their first shot on-target near the hour mark, forcing a diving save by Randolph in net as the ball was deflected by a Hounds defender. Randolph would follow that up with a fantastic save on a point-blank shot after the ball bounced around the box to the feet of a Crew 2 attacker. The Hounds keeper was well-positioned and made himself large and the angle small to preserve the visitor’s lead.

The Hounds would shift the momentum with a trio of subs moments later, bringing in usual starters Robbie Mertz, Luke Biasi, and Junior Etou. With greater control in the aftermath of those changes, it was Etou who nearly doubled the Hounds lead as he ripped a left-footed shot on-target, forcing a parried save.

But the Crew 2 weren’t done. With ten minutes to play, Adu-Gymafi would control the ball near the penalty spot and rip an on-target shot from close range, forcing a great save from Randolph. The ball remained loose, but Randolph was able to jump onto it before the nearby Chase Adams was able to reach it.

Despite some stoppage time corners and countering efforts from the Hounds, the scoreline would remain unchanged. The Hounds would see out regulation and secure their 1-0 victory and advancement to the Round of 32. They’ll learn their next opponent – an entering MLS side – on Thursday morning’s draw.

Pre-Match Notes

• The Hounds and Crew 2 met in the 2025 preseason, with the Hounds taking a 1-0 victory
• The Hounds have met the Crew organization twice in the Open Cup, losing 1-0 in 2019, and winning 1-0 in 2023 to advance to the Quarterfinals
• Crew 2 have defeated amateur side New York Renegades in Round 1, 4-1, and USL Championship side Lexington SC in Round 2, 3-0
• This is the Hounds first-ever match against an MLS Next Pro team

Match Updates

Fulltime – Crew 2 0, Riverhounds 1

90+4′ – The final Hounds sub now, as Etou has been struggling since going down earlier: Pablo Linzoain in for Junior Etou

90+2′ – Williams is freed on a clearance. His effort is saved, but left open for Mertz, and his effort is just barely kept out by a massive sliding effort from the Crew 2 defender.

89′ – A late corner here for the Crew 2. It’s over everyone but out for another corner from the opposite side. The next effort is taken centrally, but ultimately cleared by the Hounds.

86′ – Fourth sub for the Hounds: Max Broughton out and replaced by Illal Osumanu

79′ – Another huge save from Randolph on a close-range shot from Adu-Gyamfi and then a diving effort to secure the rebound before Che Adams can get to it. Everything still on the table for these teams.

77′ – Etou and Williams making deep runs and the through-ball finds the former. His effort from the left side of net is parried away, but the Hounds are pressing for a second!

75′ – Another yellow for Crew 2 here, this time for Alaouieh as he drags down Augi Williams as the latter holds the ball up near midfield.

74′ – Momentum has shifted since those Hounds subs. Lots of action in Columbus’ half – to no end result yet, but very much helping to relieve the defensive pressure from an increasingly higher-pressing Capybaras.

66′ – A trio of subs for the Hounds, much needed to change the energy here: In come Mertz, Biasi, and Etou. Out go O’Toole, Garcia, and Bourgey

62′ – Huge save from Randolph! The ball bounds around in the box and ends up at the feet of a Crew 2 attacker, one of several in the area. It’s blasted at goal but Randolph is well-positioned to cut down the available target.

🚫 Take a glance at @jprandolph42 keeping Crew 2 off the board!

Still on top, 1-0.#USOC2025 #Grittsburgh pic.twitter.com/qvfDKqr9rW

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) April 15, 2025

60′ – A shot from the Crew 2, their first on-target. It’s Alaouieh, who’s effort is deflected, but forces a diving stop from Randolph in net.

48′ – Deep attacking free kick coming for the Hounds as Aidan O’Toole is tugged back on his run. Yellow card issued to the Crew 2’s Tristan Brown.

46′ – We are back underway in the second half at Lower.com Field. The Hounds lead 1-0 as we enter the second period. A pair of subs for the Crew 2 at the break, with Anthony Alaouieh replacing Cristian Ortiz, and Brent Adu-Gyamfi replacing Málcom Palacios.

Halftime – Two minutes of stoppage time pass uneventfully and the Hounds see out their 1-0 advantage into the break. Danny Griffin with the lone goal of the match on the corner kick from Jorge Garcia.

43′ – Stoppage for an injury as Jorge Garcia takes a knock on the right wing. He’s being evaluated for a head injury it seems after potentially catching a high elbow.

40′ – Corner for the Crew 2 as the ball is played off Broughton’s face. Presthus to take. Taken very long, over everybody, for a goal kick.

35′ – Danny Griffin with an unbelievable ball to free Augi Williams in the box, but he puts his 1v1 effort straight at the goalkeeper! A big missed chance for the Hounds there.

28′ – GOAL, RIVERHOUNDS!!!! The far-side corner is taken near-post, where Danny Griffin flicks it onward and it comes off the Crew 2 keeper’s hands and into the net! The Hounds lead 1-0!

🎥Let's take a quick flashback to the first half and how @DannyGriffin04 nodded us in front!

It's his second career @opencup goal, both coming in MLS home stadiums.#USOC2025 #Grittsburgh pic.twitter.com/qMS815e5rI

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) April 15, 2025

23′ – A good step upfield for Sean Suber who forces a high turnover and gets the ball centered. Garcia get a shot off near the top of the box, but blocked and sent away.

21′ – Bourgey again creating on the left wing, this time cutting inside and sliding a ball into Garcia. He loses his footing on the shot and it goes wide of net.

18′ – Bourgey doing tremendous work on the left wing and wins another corner. Really showing his stuff early on here. Corner taken by Garcia, deep over everybody. Cycled back in but the follow-up cross goes long as well.

14′ – Bourgey again down the wing wins a corner for the Hounds. Garcia is the taker in place of the usual Mertz. Taken short, some one-two and a blocked cross, it finds Walti at the top of the box who’s off-balance shot goes well wide.

13′ – Good cross into the box from Bourgey on the left wing. Aidan O’Toole chests it down near the penalty spot but just too far away from himself and the Crew 2 keeper collects. More momentum the Hounds way these past few minutes.

6′ – An early yellow card for the Hounds and Jorge Garcia on what appeared to be a clear 50/50 ball. Very questionable, and now Garcia will need to be careful for 80+ minutes.

1′ – We are off! Kickoff in Columbus with the Hounds in their road white and yellows, Crew 2 in their home black and yellows.

0′ – The teams are warming up at Lower.com Field in Columbus…

Look for reports from Highmark Stadium, including starting lineups and in-game updates here…

STARTING LINEUPS:

Colton Coreschi