US Open Cup Round of 16 Reaction: Riverhounds SC’s HC Bob Lilley, MF Jorge Garcia learn from loss to ‘dynamic’ Union

Photo courtesy Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Things didn’t go right from the begnning for Pittsburgh when defender Roberto Ydrach was whistled for a handball inside the box. Bruno Damiani stepped up and calmly buried the spot kick in the 14th minute, giving the Union a 1-0 lead.

Lilley wasn’t happy with the call, but admitted that the Union provided a challenge that the Hounds haven’t really seen this season.

“I don’t agree with the penalty,” Lilley said.

“I don’t think we got a fair shake, but they’re a class team. They’re dynamic. They attack. For us to mute them the first half, and limit their chances, that got us in the game.”

The rest of the first half saw both teams generate possession — each recording a shot on target.  After Danny Griffin’s was denied on a very good chance late in the first half, the hosts made the Hounds pay in first half stoppage time, thanks to a slick combination between the Sullivan brothers ended at the feet of Indiana Vassilev, who slotted home his second goal for the Union to double the lead heading into the break.

Both coaches acknowledged the importance of that late first half goal.

“Getting the second goal before the half was massive,” Union head coach Bradley Carnell said post-match.

“We knew from our last time out against Indy that these games are not walkovers.”

Instead of having a chance to go into half with 1-0 deficit against a dynamic team that his side was limiting chances — the Hounds instead were in two-goal hole.

‘That goal before halftime killed us,” Lilley exclaimed.

The second half — the Union put the match pretty much out reach when they took advantage of doing what they do best — jamming the box with attackers with relentless pressure.

It paid off when Damiani turned provider, finding Danley Jean Jacques for the Union’s third goal.

In the 62nd minute, Lilley brought on 23-year-old Jorge Garcia, a recent Villanova alum, who created his own “Philly Special” after receiving a ball from target forward Augi Williams by sending a perfectly placed, bending strike from distance into the far corner, pulling one back for the visitors and cutting the deficit to 3-1.

“Amazing feeling,” Garcia said upon scoring the goal, his second with the Riverhounds, both coming in Cup competitions.

“I am grateful for any opportunities I can get. The biggest take away was we didn’t make it easy. I think we competed. We were resilient.  And that’s something we can take away from the game.

The last stretch of play the Hounds started to lose their legs, as the Union didn’t cruise — but provided a harsh lesson in how to finish a match strong.

“I think we tried to hang in there, but obviously, the last 15 minutes, the speed of play — we can learn from — they were moving off the ball was exceptional,” Lilley noted.