Riverhounds fall to Rhinos after first half goals

October 8, 2017 | By Rachael McKriger

Even with the USL Playoffs out of reach, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds still have a purpose this season.

The purpose is to give their fans two matches to send off the season.

The last two matches for the Riverhounds are home games, at Highmark Stadium. On the Monongahela River, the Riverhounds hosted the Rochester Rhinos, whom have punched their playoff ticket.

However, the Riverhounds fell in the match, losing 0-2.

Riverhounds Head Coach Dave Brandt elected to change up his backline, putting Michael Green on defense and starting Gale Agbossoumonde alongside Jamal Jack and left back Taylor Washington.

Ben Fitzpatrick started in the midfield over Romeo Parkes, while Kevin Kerr, Victor Souto and Stephen Okai started another match together. Up top, Corey Hertzog and Chevaughn Walsh led the attack.

“We actually in the end had several decent looks tonight that went close and didn’t go on goal,” Brandt said. “On goal only counts if they go in as well, so that’s our concern.”

However, Rochester proved dominant, especially in the first half.

Jochen Graf scoring only 23 second into the match.

“We pressed the first ball and effectively, so they kicked it,” Brandt said. “They’re a very good crossing team. We just didn’t handle the long kick.”

Wal Fall followed the goal, by producing his own past Riverhounds goalkeeper Matt Perrella in the 14’ minute.

Both teams split yellow cards, with each receiving one.

The Riverhounds’ recipient was Walsh while Rochester’s was Fall.

The Riverhounds fans named Green and Kerr the co-recipients of the Cleveland Brothers Blue Collar Players of the Game.

Kerr, Green and the Riverhounds will close out the season on Saturday against the Ottawa Fury. The match is slated for a 7 p.m. kickoff time.

“We have one more game left,” Hertzog said. “We can end this season on a ‘W.’ That’s all we need to look at there. It doesn’t matter about three points. It doesn’t matter about anything. We need to win this game.”

Tickets are still available.