Riverhounds Fall in Shootout at Louisville

October 30, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release

LOUISVILLE, Ky. – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC saw its season come to a close after falling on penalty kicks top-seeded Louisville City FC, 5-4, after playing to a 2-2 draw in the USL Championship Eastern Conference Semifinals tonight at Lynn Family Stadium.

Russell Ciceronescored twice in regulation time to give the Hounds a two-goal lead, but Louisville pushed back into the game with two goals in three minutes fromManny PerezandCameron Lancasterto force extra time and, eventually, a shootout.

It is the third time in the past four seasons the Hounds have been knocked out of the playoffs by Louisville – two of those in games that lasted beyond regulation. The Hounds finish the season with a 16-9-11 record in USL matches, their fifth straight winning season and fifth straight in the playoffs.

First half

The Hounds shocked the home crowd by taking the lead on their first shot on goal in the 14th minute.

Robbie Mertzgot free down the right flank and struck a cross that was just too high for his teammates and the defenders in front of the center of goal. That allowed the ball to drop for Cicerone at the far post, and the Hounds’ leading scorer took a touch before slotting home a shot inside the near post.

Most of Louisville’s threats in the first half came from corner kicks, and the Hounds defended well enough to hold the hosts without a shot on goal in the first 45.

Second half

Things looked even better for the Hounds whenKenardo Forbesslotted a pass through the Louisville back line to send Cicerone in on a 47th-minute breakaway, and Cicerone finished the chance with a calm finish for his 15th goal of the season. With the goal, Cicerone joinedNeco Brettas the only Hounds players to have consecutive 15-goal seasons (all competitions), while Forbes got his career-best 11th assist of the year.

The Hounds continued to create chances on the break while focusing on protecting the lead, andAlbert Dikwanearly added another goal on the break in the 76th minute, only to be denied by Louisville goalieDanny Faundez. While Louisville finished the match with 66 percent of possession, shots on goal was only 7-6 in the hosts’ favor, and even the advanced xG metric (expected goals finished 1.62-1.56 Louisville.

Things went sour for the Hounds in the 83th minute on a Louisville free kick.Jahmali Waitemade an excellent stop onJosh Wynder- one of four saves in the match for Waite -…