One third of the "A" - league season is history. The Hounds have somehow managed to win two out of nine games, and tie an additional two. Last night's 4 to 1 loss to the Connecticut Wolves pushed the Hounds into the basement of the Northern Conference. Hopefully they will find a way to crawl out of the depths.
Taking a step up however may be difficult. Coach Kia Haaskivi has been saddled with injuries, green card problems and players that are still not quite on the same page of the playbook. In theory, he has a strong team. There is Welton, a former MLS standout. David Flavius, one of the original Hounds, whose speed and ability to put the ball away is unquestioned. Mike Apple, who is a proven goal scorer, but has been on the injured reserve list. Phil Karn, another proven player for the Hounds, has yet to find his stride. Finally there is Alfredo, injured but with speed to burn when healthy. He is still not proven but shows great potential.
Lest I forget players like John Jones, Gary DePalma and Leidy Klotz who have stepped up in the past with a well-placed goal or good cross to create an opportunity. Perhaps that is the problem, too many good players. Even Coach Kia admitted last night that "We've been changing the lineup, every night it seems we have three different guys up front."
It may be time to stop changing the lineup looking for a combination that works, and stick with something that might. I am not a coach, my opinion is mine alone and only I can take responsibility for it. So here it is.
Welton is just not producing. Bench him.
One goal in nine games is not acceptable. He played seventy one minutes last night, and got off one weak shot. Michael Apple comes off the bench, is not is match shape, plays fourteen minutes. HE GETS AN ASSIST. Apple also got a shot on net. Welton should worry about his job.
Phil Karn plays forty-five minutes, and gets the only Hounds goal of the game. He had a total of two shots. Welton should worry about his job.
Coach Kai has repeatedly said that he wants this team to be playing great soccer in the months of August and September. Unless he wants a long trip up from the bottom of the basement, he needs to make some strong choices. He is a capable man, and a good coach who knows the beautiful game much better than I can ever hope to. Do the right thing, bench those who are not producing, find the combination with the players that are.
Now that my little rant and rave is over, I'll proceed with the match report.
Back to back games can be hard. You could see the tired expressions on both teams' faces. Connecticut however seemed to have a little bit more bounce in their step however as they defeated the Hounds last night at Bethel Park Stadium 4 - 1.
The game at times looked more like a Tom Green movie, it was that bad. Jeffrey Mellon, the referee missed several calls and let the play go. He did not effect the outcome of the game, but did not call a good game at all. He was fair however; he missed all calls equally. He just lost control, a total of 43 fouls were called. Six Yellow cards and a Red were issued during the run of play.
Things started badly for the Hounds, as a Wolves attacker was able to split two defenders for Pittsburgh only to miss the post wide by inches. Connecticut continued to push forward, trying to get the early goal and nearly did in the twelfth minute of play. Some neat little passing inside the box lead to a shot by Dan Rudolph, but the shot was wide. The Wolves threatened again when Sean Nealis placed a snap header into the outstretched arms of Hounds goalie T. J Hannig.
Connecticut's work paid off in the 33rd minute, when Winston Griffiths played a beautiful cross onto the waiting head of Temoc Suarez. Suarez simply touched it home.
Pittsburgh only managed two real chances in the first half. The first came two minutes after the goal when David Flavius was able to create some havoc in the box; the cross went to Welton who found Adam Throop taking in the weak shot.
A minute later and Pittsburgh found themselves with a free kick outside the box. A little bit of trickery by Henry Gutierrez found Gary DePalma in a footrace with Throop. Throop was able to cover up the ball as DePalma went flying over him.
If there were a Man of the Match, it would be Winston Griffiths for the Wolves. He was able to fool Hannig in the 58th minute, but Hannig recovered well and was able to block the shot. Griffiths would find the head of Suarez in the 60th minute however as he capitalized on a Pittsburgh mistake. He also assisted on the last goal of the evening. His long pass in extra time to Paul Oyuga would turn out the lights in Bethel Park.
Irasto Knights of the Wolves had a strange night. He was yellowed card for a foul tackle in the 62nd minute after a collision with T.J. Hannig. Less than 60 seconds later, he scores an unassisted goal. Less than 60 seconds later, he is taking an early shower. Red Card for unsportmanlike conduct in the 64th minute.
After the goal Knights decided to celebrate. He ran over to the Pittsburgh bench got down on all fours and pretended to urinate. The coaches of both teams were not amused. The Red card came out and Mr. Knights was shown the door.
Pittsburgh's lone goal came in the 79th minute of play when Michael Apple was able to win a 50-50 ball in the air just inside the box. His header found the head of Phil Karn, who snapped it home, for his first goal of the year.
David Wright also made a game of it a minute later when his header floated high. Phil Karn took advantage out of some good control by the Hounds in the backfield to attack the goal in the 82nd minute. Throop stood tall and collected the loose ball. Two corner kicks in the dying minutes lead to scrambles in front of Throop's net, but no damage was done.
NOTES
ATTENDENCE: 2627
PITTSBURGH DEFENDER RICARDO IRIBARIN IS ONE YELLOW CARD FROM SUSPENSION.
