Saturday, July 6, 2013
PITTSBURGH — The Los Angeles Blues rallied to take a 2-1 victory against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Saturday night at Highmark Stadium. The Riverhounds' Jose Angulo scored in the 21st minute to give the home side the lead, but the Blues' Duach Jock and Matt Fondy would tally goals in the second half as the visitors took their second consecutive win.
The Riverhounds possessed the ball from the opening whistle and threatened the Blues goal multiple times in the first 15 minutes. Two quality shots from Kevin Kerr were turned away by Blues goalkeeper Carl Woszczynski.
A combination between four Riverhounds players led to Angulo’s 11th goal of the season. Midfielder Alfonso Motagalvan received a pass from defender Mike Green at the edge of the offensive third. Motagalvan touched the pass around his marker for Kerr running past. Kerr played a first-time ball to Darren Amoo at the top of the penalty area, and he played a through-ball to spring Angulo slashing to the mouth of the goal. One-on-one with Woszczynski, Angulo calmly passed the ball around the goalkeeper and into the back of the net.
The pace of the game slowed down following the Riverhounds' goal as the heat began to play a factor in the game. The teams went into the break with the Riverhounds holding a one-goal advantage. Coming out of intermission, the Blues made two personnel changes that proved extremely beneficial. Upon their insertion, strikers George Davis IV and Fondy completely changed the complexion of the game.
In the 67th minute, Fondy battled for a loose ball at the edge of the Riverhounds penalty area to gain a dangerous set piece. Rodrigo Lopez bent the ball around the Riverhounds wall and on frame. Riverhounds goalkeeper Greg Blum dove to his left to parry the ball out, but not past Jock. Following Lopez’s shot, Jock slid to poke the ball past Blum and into the back of the net for the equalizer.
Following Fondy’s lead, Davis IV came up with the game-winning assist in the 89th minute. Streaking down the right flank, Davis IV picked his head up to see Fondy slashing to the mouth of the goal. Davis IV delivered a cross between two Riverhounds defenders for his counterpart. Fondy volleyed home Davis IV’s cross from six yards out to provide the Blues with the lead.The Riverhounds had three quality opportunities to equalize in the remaining minute and stoppage time, but could not find the back of the net.
The Riverhounds have an 11-day break and return to Highmark Stadium on July 17th against Orlando City. The match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. kickoff. The Blues travel to the State Capital for a mid-week game against the Harrisburg City Islanders. Their game is slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff at Skyline Sports Complex on City Island.