Saturday, May 12, 2012
PITTSBURGH -- The Los Angeles Blues took a 3-0 victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday night at Chartiers Valley Stadium, scoring all three goals in the second half as they extended their undefeated streak to four games. The Blues got goals from Ricky Waddell, Bright Dike and Matt Fondy to claim their second win in as many nights.
The Riverhounds had the first chance of the game in the third minute as David Leon jumped a passing lane at the edge of the Blues’ defensive third. Leon’s first touch advanced him past his marker and brought him one-on-one with Blues goalkeeper Jose Miranda, only for his left-footed shot to come back off the right upright. The ball ricocheted back into the middle of the penalty area, but the Blues were able to clear their lines.
Five minutes later, Matt Kassel of the Riverhounds found himself all alone 25 yards from goal. Taking a preparation touch towards goal, Kassel struck a hard right-footed shot on goal, but Miranda was in good position to collect the shot and keep the game scoreless.
The momentum started to shift in the favor of the Blues midway through the first half. The Blues received a handful of set pieces deep inside the Riverhounds' end. Allan Russell served multiple quality balls that connected with the head of Dike, only for each effort to be denied by Riverhounds goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap.
But less than a minute into the second half, Waddell put the Blues up for good. Picking up a bouncing ball 25 yards from goal, Waddell connected cleanly on a half-volley that whistled into the top-left corner of the goal.
Six minutes later, Fondy picked off a pass at midfield and played a ball in behind the Riverhounds defense. Fondy’s pass brought Gilstrap outside of the penalty area to close down Dike. Beating Gilstrap to the ball, Dike lifted a right-footed shot over Gilstrap and into the back of the empty net to put the Blues up 2-0.
Fondy then capped the Blues' scoring, sliding a left-footed shot past Gilstrap in the 69th minute. Transitioning quickly into the attack, Dike found Fondy slashing down the left flank without a marker. Taking a touch to engage Gilstrap, Fondy confidently struck a low shot into the right side-netting.
The Riverhounds go back on the road for a midweek showdown in this season's first edition of the Keystone Derby. Traveling to Harrisburg for a Wednesday night game at Skyline Sports Complex on City Island, the Riverhounds and City Islanders will kickoff at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed live on USLNATION.com.
The Blues have nearly two weeks off until their scheduled USL PRO contest. The Blues will square off with the Orlando City Lions on Thursday, May 24th at the Florida Citrus Bowl. Kickoff is set for 7:30 p.m.