Sunday, August 11, 2013
PITTSBURGH — On a beautiful Sunday afternoon in Station Square, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds defeat VSI Tampa Bay 3-2 and clinched a berth into the USL PRO Playoffs. In a critical match-up for a ticket into the postseason, the Riverhounds and Tampa Bay didn’t disappoint the sold-out crowd, as five goals were scored in the second half to deliver an exciting atmosphere at Highmark Stadium. With goals from Jose Angulo, Rob Vincent, and Darren Amoo, along with a “Jersey off the Back” raffle, the Riverhounds raised more than $15,000 for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation.
After a scorless first half, the Riverhounds would strike first in the 53rd minute when Angulo converted from the penalty spot. Driving down the right flank with speed, Mike Seamon would travel more than 60 yards on the break. Cutting inside the penalty area to hold off his marker, Seamon would attempt a cross for Angulo, but his service struck the arm of Josh Rife at the near post. The referee awarded the Riverhounds a penalty kick and Angulo stepped up to score the game’s first goal as he shot into the left corner of the net.
Seven minutes later, second-half substitute Stefan Lundberg took a page out of Seamon’s book and drove down the left flank with speed. Waiting for his teammates to join him in the attack, Lundberg found defender Mike Green in the left corner. Green played a ball back for Alfonso Motagalvan at the edge of the penalty area. Motagalvan set the ball back for Vincent racing into the attack, and the midfielder took a touch before he rifled a shot that tucked just inside the left upright to put the Riverhounds up 2-0.
The Riverhounds counter-attacked well throughout the second half, and their third goal came on a combination between multiple players inside their own defensive third. Following the combination, Motagalvan found Angulo all alone on the right flank with a ball over the top. Traveling with speed towards Tampa Bay’s goal, Angulo slotted a ball towards the penalty spot for Amoo. Taking a first-time shot with his favored left foot, Amoo passed the ball past VSI goalkeeper Alex Horwarth to provide the Riverhounds with a three-goal lead in the 68th minute.
With playoff implications on the line, Tampa Bay would record its first goal of the game one minute after Amoo’s goal. Mauricio Salles found Cheyne Roberts overlapping into the right corner. Roberts delivered a cross towards the middle of the penalty area for Chad Burt, who took a first-time shot on frame that was blocked by Hunter Gilstrap, but his save was not cleared. Following up his shot, Burt’s second effort would find the back of the net.
Tampa Bay would cut the lead to one goal with five minutes remaining. Receiving a dangerous set piece on right flank, Salles would deliver a cross for Andryy Budnyy 12 yards from goal. Rising up in the crowd, Budnyy’s header would deflect off of a Riverhounds Andrew Marshall and at his feet. Taking a touch out of pressure, Budnyy would pass the ball around Gilstrap, but that would be the final goal of the game as Tampa Bay’s late rally came up short and the Riverhounds booked their place in the postseason.
The Riverhounds return to USL PRO action next Wednesday in North Carolina. The Pittsburgh side will meet the Wilmington Hammerheads at 7:30 p.m. in Legion Stadium. Tampa Bay returns to the Sunshine State next Friday to match-up with the Charlotte Eagles. The match is slated for a 7:30 p.m. start at Plant City Stadium.