Riverhounds’ run in US Cup comes to an end
Mallory Neil | Riverhounds SC
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds conceded an early goal on a penalty kick and couldn’t recover in a 4-1 setback to the Philadelphia Union of the MLS on Wednesday night in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup under rainy conditions at Subaru Park in the Philadelphia suburb of Chester.
Pittsburgh advanced to the round of 16 after defeating New York FC of the MLS, 1-0, on May 7 at Highmark Stadium in the round of 32.
The Riverhounds came in as the underdogs for the second-straight match in the U.S. Open Cup, as the Union hold the top spot in Major League Soccer with 29 points after 14 matches.
Philadelphia took advantage of its early opponent when Bruno Damiana buried a penalty kick down the middle in the 14th minute.
The sequence that led to Damiana’s tally began with controversy as Luke Biasi was shown a yellow card for a reckless foul. The Hounds disputed the call to no avail, which set-up a free kick from Jesus Bueno that was directed into the box, and referee Natalia Simon issued a handling call on a redirected ball against Pittsburgh’s Guillaume Vacter that awarded the home team a penalty kick.
The Hounds’ Danny Griffin fired a long-range drive in the 42nd minute that forced Union keeper Andrew Rick to make his first of four saves. Bertin Jacquesson put a follow-up attempt on target, but the 19-year-old made the stop.
Philadelphia increased its lead to 2-0 with a goal in stoppage time of the first half after Indiana Vassilev lifted a shot over the arm of Pittsburgh keeper Eric Dick. Quinn Sullivan assisted on Vassilev’s tally.
The Union extended their advantage to 3-0 in the 54th minute on a 4-on-3 opportunity. Damiani set-up Danley Jean Jacques with a pass on the right side for the goal.
Despite trailing by what appeared to be an insurmountable deficit with 36 minutes remaining, the Riverhounds kept battling, and their tenacity paid off when Jorge Garcia scored on a curling goal 26 seconds after he came on the pitch in the 63 minute. Augi Williams assisted on Pittsburgh’s lone goal.
Philadelphia dashed any hopes of a miraculous comeback by the Riverhounds when Jovan Lukic closed the scoring in the 86th minute after a Pittsburgh turnover. Luckic’s shot deflected off the back of a Hounds defender and into the goal.
The Riverhounds’ Jackson Walti was named the team’s “Modelo Man of the Match,” as the midfielder won the ball a team-high 10 times. He won 5 of 9 duels, and was responsible for a team-leading 13 entries into the final third.
The Union 15-7 advantage in shots, including a 6-5 edge that were on target. Philadelphia earned six corner kicks to Pittsburgh’s three, and had possession 61 percent of the match.
The Union were called for 17 fouls, while the Hounds committed 12 infractions. Jacques (65th minute – unsporting behavior) and teammate Jakob Glesnes (22nd minute – tactical foul) were shown yellow.
The Hounds (2-5-2) return to action in USL Championship play on Saturday afternoon at Rhode Island FC (3-3-3). Kick-off is scheduled for 4 p.m.
Pittsburgh is in eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings with eight points.