Pittsburgh Riverhounds head coach Mark Steffens described himself as disappointed following a 2-1 loss to Louisville City.
“We thought we were really prepared for the match, but a couple of mistakes again and fairly easy goals that are not easy to come back from at this level,” Steffens said. “I’m probably more shocked about any game than I’ve been in a long time.”
On a night where 3,638 fans showed up to Highmark Stadium to watch soccer and welcome women’s world cup defender and Pittsburgh native Meghan Klingenberg the Riverhounds lost its second consecutive contest.
“In Montreal we were exhausted and had absolutely no legs,” said Steffens. “I even gave them Thursday [this week] off just to make sure they were fresh. I don’t know what it was, we both played in the heat so there shouldn’t be too many excuses for that type of game. We didn’t deserve to win the game, we didn’t deserve to tie the game and didn’t bring any life to the game.”
A Matt Fondy goal in the 65-minute mark secured the 2-1 Louisville City victory.
The Riverhounds started the game in a 4-4-2 formation and used both possession and keeping the ball on the ground to their advantage.
Both teams had chances early however it was Louisville City who struck first.
13 minutes into the first half, Fejiro Okiamah committed a foul close to the Riverhounds box. On the ensuing free kick, Magnus Rasmussen scored his seventh goal of the season beating keeper Calle Brown on the lower left side of the net.
Just five minutes later, the Riverhounds tied the match at one as Kevin Kerr scored his eighth goal of the season. This goal was also scored by free kick. Rob Vincent who took the free kick was credited with an assist after Kerr headed the ball in.
The score stayed tied at one at halftime however at the start of the second half, Louisville City played the aggressor which paid off when Fondy scored in the 65th minute.
As the game was drawing closer to a conclusion, the Riverhounds were struggling to maintain possession as Louisville City was able to maintain long possessions and clear the ball when no other options were available, both of which were ways to use the clock to their advantage.
“I think we got a little bit off the pace and didn’t connect the passes,” Vincent said. “We got into positions we shouldn’t have. I don’t think it was one thing, we just didn’t quite click. When a game is going like that you sometimes have to change the game plan a little bit and mix it up but we couldn’t really find our way through tonight.”
The loss drops the Riverhounds to 7-7-4 with 10 games left to play in the regular season. Their next match will be a July 25 road contest against the Harrisburg City Islanders.
“I feel we should be a couple games better than that,” said Steffens. “We’re going to have to go into a hostile environment and come away with three points. We’re not a playoff team the way we’ve played the last two games and it shows.”
Of note: Klingenberg arrived for a meet and greet at the Highmark Stadium 90 minutes prior to the match’s start and left five minutes prior to the start of the first half. Over 300 tickets were sold for the event.
“It’s surreal that you want to hang out with me, it’s really cool,” Klingenberg said prior to signing.
At halftime there was a special on-field ceremony where Klingenberg was presented a framed print of her celebrating after the World Cup Final from owner Tuffy Shallenberger.
He said it: “It’s strange. We have a lot of quality guys at that position and we aren’t able to lock it down. We’re still scoring goals. It would be nice if someone could knock it down but as long as goals keep going in and everyone is doing their bit, we’ll be happy with that.” – midfielder Kevin Kerr on the lack of scoring from the forward position.
Photo courtesy: Terry O’Neil /Riverhounds.com
