The Pittsburgh Riverhounds faced their rival, the Harrisburg City Islanders, one last time this season.
The first time the two teams met up, on July 4, the two teams drew 0-0. On July 17, the Islanders won, 2-1. Saturday evening, the teams drew again but, this time, both teams scored a goal, with a final score of 1-1.
The Islanders got on the scoreboard first, with a goal from Craig Foster in the 65’ minute that was assisted by Cardel Benbow. The Riverhounds responded quickly, with Sergio Campbell scoring five minutes later. It was Campbell’s first goal of the season, and it came in the 70’ minute, assisted by Danny Earls.
Earls followed up his assist by earning a red card in the 74’ minute for a hard, sliding tackle. Harrisburg’s Liam Doyle earned a yellow card in the 80’ minute, and Pittsburgh’s Chevaughn Walsh, who got his first cap for the Riverhounds this season, earned a yellow card in the 85’ minute.
With the loss, the Riverhounds didn’t win the Derby Cup, which Harrisburg received because the Islanders won the July 17 match. After Saturday’s match, Pittsburgh’s captain Kevin Kerr spoke of the disappointment of losing the Cup.
“We came down there with one goal,” Kerr said. “We know it hasn’t been the greatest season. We thought we could at least finish on a high and keep this cup. Because it means so much to the fans. They were awesome all night long. They deserved it, they absolutely deserved it. It is a bit of a disappointment that we couldn’t get the job done.”
Head coach Dave Brandt said he was disappointed as well, but he mentioned the team’s promising play.
“I think everybody is bitterly disappointed not to bring the cup back,” Brandt said. “Disappointed not to get three points. I thought it was a good, gutty performance. It was our third game in eight days. I thought the boys played really well.”
Up Next
The Riverhounds will travel to Florida to face Orlando City B on Saturday, September 3. The match is scheduled for a 7:30 p.m. EDT start.
Image credit: Harrisburg City Islanders
