June 10, 2017 USL Toronto FC II--Toronto FC II vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds game recap (from riverhounds.com)
Hounds nab point in wild 1-1 draw at Toronto
By Riverhounds Staff, 06/10/17, 10:45PM EDT
TORvPGH Box Score
VAUGHAN, Ontario (June 10, 2017) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (4-5-4) survived a wild night
in Toronto, escaping Ontario Soccer Centre with a 1-1 draw against Toronto FC II (1-7-5).
In a match that saw the hosts, starting five members from their MLS counterparts, ring
shots off the frame on three separate occasions and the Hounds endure two non-calls
on questionable challenges in their offensive third, the lone goal scorers were Toronto’s
Tsubasa Endoh in the 59th minute and Romeo Parkes notching the late equalizer
in the 87th minute.
Despite Toronto controlling the pace of play for much of the match’s first 25 minutes,
the Hounds were the first to strike with a golden scoring opportunity in the 29th minute.
Corey Hertzog made a strong defensive play, sliding in to steal the ball from
Brandon Aubrey deep in Toronto’s defensive third. The ensuing result found the forward
in all alone on goalkeeper Angelo Cavalluzzo, but he powered the shot too high,
as it skimmed off the crossbar.
The first of two tough breaks for the Hounds occurred in the 42nd minute after Hertzog
lofted a beautiful ball to a sprinting Marshall Hollingsworth just outside
the Toronto box. Splitting the defense cleanly, Hollingsworth was immediately tripped
up as he charged into the box, but to no whistle.
Second half play started much like the first with Toronto dominating possession,
but this time able to pull ahead in the 59th minute. Receiving a cross in from
Oyvind Alseth, Endoh finished with a right-footed shot across his body to beat
goalkeeper Trey Mitchell high.
Pittsburgh looked to respond shortly after in the 61st minute on another defensive
lapse from Toronto. Ritchie Duffie was the recipient of a deflected ball in the box
after the Toronto center backs collided in failing to clear Parkes’ cross. Staring
at a point-blank chance from 10 yards out, the rookie defender was unable to convert
though, sailing his shot thanks to strong positioning from Cavalluzzo.
The 69th minute brought upon another chance for the Hounds off the counter. Charging
down the pitch, Hollingsworth sprung Parkes for a breakaway opportunity that saw
Cavalluzzo come off his line aggressively to make an impressive save just outside
the six.
Momentum continued to shift in favor of the Hounds after Kenroy Howell came
on for Jack Thompson in the 74th minute. Selling out for the equalizer in match’s
final 15 minutes, Pittsburgh’s effort was finally rewarded after being awarded
a free kick at the top of the box.
Showing some creativity with Hertzog, Howell and Parkes all lining up for the take,
the first two faked leaving Parkes to finish with a quality strike into the
lower-left portion of the net. For the Jamaican, the tally was his first of the
season with the Hounds after signing in early May.
Festivities weren’t done yet though, as both clubs frantically pushed for the
go-ahead goal in the waning moments of the second half.
The Hounds were dealt another questionable call moments after their equalizer,
as Hertzog was able to find space in tight off a nice feed from Parkes. Gearing
up to take the shot, Hertzog appeared to be cut down on a challenge from Toronto’s
Aubrey, but play continued.
The final moments of stoppage time brought a foul by Hollingsworth nearly resulting
in the winner for Toronto, as its free kick saw Jordan McCrary and Jordan Hamilton
connect on back-to-back headers with the latter’s ringing off the crossbar.
With the draw, the Hounds were able to hold serve and remain at ninth in the Eastern
Conference table, but still find themselves in the midst of a four-match winless streak.
The club will look snap the streak next week on the road at Louisville City. The match
is set for 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, June 17 at Louisville Slugger Field. More information
can be found by visiting Riverhounds.com.
Lineups:
Riverhounds –
Trey Mitchell –
Taylor Washington Lalas Abubakar, Jamal Jack, Ritchie Duffie –
Marshall Hollingsworth, Kevin Kerr, Stephen Okai (Mike Green 90+’), Jack Thompson (Kenroy Howell 73’) –
Romeo Parkes, Corey Hertzog
Subs not used: Keasel Broome, Gale Agbossoumonde, Danny Earls, Ben Fitzpatrick, Chevaughn Walsh
Toronto FC II –
Angelo Cavalluzzo –
Robert Boskovic, Brandon Aubrey, Mitchell Taintor –
Ashtone Morgan (Ryan Telfer 88’), Oyvind Alseth (Jordan McCrary 72’), Luis Pereira-Lewis,
Brian James (Jordan Hamilton 60’), Tsubasa Endoh –
Jay Chapman, Ben Spencer
Subs not used: Mark Dais, Sergio Camargo, Liam Fraser, Luca Uccello
Scoring Summary:
TOR – Tsubasa Endoh (Oyvind Alseth) – 59’
PGH – Romeo Parkes – 87’
Misconduct Summary:
TOR – Brian James (Caution) – 33’
TOR – Brandon Aubrey (Caution) – 64’
TOR – Jordan Hamilton (Caution) – 77’
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