The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (11-9-8) went on the road in the first round of the playoffs to visit the New York Red Bulls II (12-10-6). Pittsburgh was able to score early before going into extra time. There, they held a quick lead, however, New York battled back and finished the game with a multi-goal lead, 4-2.
The Hounds struck early in just the first 15 minutes when captain Danny Earls booted a masterpiece to defender Willie Hunt. The perfectly placed ball was headed in past the Red Bulls II keeper, Santi Castano. Pittsburgh would be able to keep this slim lead heading into the half.
There would not be without a good amount of scoring chances coming from both sides. Offenses were on top of their game, New York coming within inches on several occasions. In the 29th minute a New York cross was headed right to the goal, but was stopped by Hounds’ goaltender Calle Brown.
Pittsburgh had another good opportunity in the 37th minute when Vini Dantas to Lebo Moloto who lead the ball to Rob Vincent, just missing the net as it was hit away from the goal by Castano.
In the second half New York came out strong as they drove the ball deep into their zone multiple times, just shy of tying the game.
The Hounds defense played fantastic; however the Red Bulls II caught up and tied the game in the 62nd minute when Leo Stolz fed the ball to Manolo Sanchez finding plenty of room in the box. Finishing with the left foot, New York was able to pull back with Pittsburgh, 1-1.
There were quite a few chances for Pittsburgh to pull away, but with the play of Castano and the rest of New York’s defense came up clutch clearing out balls that came close to the net.
Brown was also able to hold the team on his back as he came up with save after save in keeping the game tied. Eventually the game, even after added time, would go into extra minutes where the winner would be decided.
In the 95th minute Matt Dallman smoked a corner kick right to Hunt, scoring his second header of the game and giving the Riverhounds a lead in extra minutes.
Unfortunatley, the lead would be a mute point as New York would punch in a goal after a corner kick tying the game at 2-2. Following the halftime in extra time, Karl Ouimette finished off yet another corner kick giving the Red Bulls II a 3-2 lead.
Dan Bedoya would give New York an insurance goal in the 119th minute giving the Red Bulls a final lead of 4-2.
Pittsburgh’s defense played well all game long, up until added time as it looked like the team was exhausted and had a hard time keeping up with the Red Bull II’s offense. Brown played well all game long until he began to give up goals that seemed to be just inches away from his hand.
