Louisville City FC leaves Highmark Stadium with a point after a 2-2 draw with Riverhounds SC. The result leaves Hackworth’s group in 3rd place on 48 points, level with Charleston Battery on that same amount and two points behind Pittsburgh, who sit in second with 50 points.
What Happened?
A tight first 15 minutes saw little go for either side, though the hosts continued to pile pressure on City’s goal. In the 18th minute,Los Morados had their first scare as Pittsburgh broke in behind the back line only for a goal line clearance from Paco Craig to keep the score level.
After 24 minutes, City got their first chance of the evening from an Oscar Jimenez free kick. Delivering a beautiful, curling ball towards the near post from a deep position, no one could manage a touch on it as it fell safely to Riverhounds SC ‘keeper Dan Lynd.
However, slightly against the run of play, City were able to open the scoresheet and in spectacular fashion. Earning a free kick just inside the Pittsburgh half, defender Paco Craig clipped a ball into forward Cameron Lancaster at the edge of the 18-yard-box. Settling it without a touch on the ground, Lancaster turned and fired a left-footed volley that landed cleanly and rolled into the back of the net. The remarkable finish was his 19th goal of the season as he continues to position himself in front for the USL Golden Boot. For Paco Craig, his assist was the first of the year, becoming the 15th player on the LouCity roster to tally an assist this season.
Riverhounds SC would not be perturbed, though, and immediately threatened the City goal after 35 minutes. Streaking down the left flank, Pittsburgh pulled back a clean pass for forward Neco Brett to latch onto. Shooting on goal from close range, City ‘keeper Greg Ranjitsingh produced a fantastic denial to preserve the lead and add to his list of unbelievable stops.
At the break, City led Riverhounds SC, 0-1.
The second half started slow for both sides as they poked and prodded around each other’s defenses in search of a goal. City would be first to make contact when they earned a free kick just outside the box in the 68th minute. Substitute Shaun Francis took charge of the effort with a curling left-footed effort, but against Lynd would be equal to the effort.
Two minutes later, City could not be stopped as they doubled their advantage in the 70th minute thanks to a first professional goal by Alexis Souahy. As midfielder George Davis IV chipped a pass back to the far post, defender Paco Craig squared a headed pass to the Frenchman, who nodded home from close range. The assist was Craig’s second of the night.
In the 86th minute, things took a brief sour turn when City conceded an own goal to allow Riverhounds SC a way back into the match. As Riverhounds SC continued to push forward, they would earn a chance at a late equalizer as defender Oscar Jimenez was charged with bringing down a Riverhounds SC attacker in the penalty area. Stepping up to the spot, Pittsburgh skipper Kenardo Forbes sent Ranjitsingh the wrong way and converted his penalty to level the score at two apiece.
With not enough time to mount an attack, City were left frustrated but managed a point out of their final visit to Highmark Stadium in the regular season.
Los Moradosturn immediately to Wednesday night when they travel to face Penn FC at FNB Field with kickoff set for 6:30 p.m. ET. City is proud to host Noche Latinain its next home match against Ottawa Fury FC, set for Saturday, September 22 at 7:30 p.m. at Slugger Field. Tickets are available for as low as $16 by calling (502) 384-8799, option 2, or online at www.loucity.com.
The Key Points:
- Forward Cameron Lancaster buried his 19th goal of the season to give City the lead
- Defender Alexis Souahy scored his first professional goal on Paco Craig’s second assist to double City’s advantage
- A late own goal for LouCity saw Pittsburgh pull one back
- Riverhounds SC converted a penalty deep into stoppage to steal a point from the visitors
Injury Report:
OUT – Magnus Rasmussen (Knee sprain)
OUT – Brian Ownby (Concussion)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 2 : 2 Louisville City FC
Saturday, September 15, 2018
Highmark Stadium | Pittsburgh, PA
80 degrees / sunny
Scoring Summary:
LOU – Cameron Lancaster (Paco Craig) 32’
LOU – Alexis Souahy (Paco Craig) 70’
PGH – LouCity Own Goal 86’
PGH – Kenardo Forbes (p) 90+1
Disciplinary Summary:
LOU – Cameron Lancaster (caution) 55’
PGH – Joseph Greenspan (caution) 68’
LOU – Paolo DelPiccolo (caution) 90+4’
Starting XI (4-2-3-1): Greg Ranjitsingh (GK); Kyle Smith, Alexis Souahy, Paco Craig, Oscar Jimenez; Paolo DelPiccolo, Devon “Speedy” Williams (Shaun Francis 63’); Niall McCabe, Ilija Ilic (Jose Carranza 80’), George Davis IV; Cameron Lancaster (Luke Spencer 90+3’)
Bench: Tim Dobrowolski, Pat McMahon, Sean Totsch, Richard Ballard
