Upset my ass. I'm sure that MLS will try to put a positive spin on the Rapids 2-0 loss to the A-League Riverhounds. I'm sure that they will put an emphasis on how former DC United player Raul Diaz Arce banged a shot off the post and crossbar in the 17th minute. How forward John Spencer played the game of his life and got chance after chance against Pittsburgh goalie Randy Dedini. The spin artists of MLS will have to work overtime on this one. I'm biased of course, but the Hounds simply outplayed the Rapids. The better team won, it's as simple as that.
Rapids coach Tim Hankinson said that after the last Rapids game, a loss against Dallas, that "they played like an A-League team." "Tonight," he continued, "we proved it." The Rapids currently have a record of 2-8-4 against MLS teams.
Hankinson continued by saying, "it's a great result for Pittsburgh and the League. The A-League certainly is a creditable league." "Players like Henry Gutierrez, Welton, Iribarin proved tonight that they could certainly play at a higher level. They might find themselves back in the MLS before long." When pressed about his comments, Hankinson commented that some changes to his squad would occur in a few days, "some players might find this as their home ground."
Although the crowd was light, 1660, they were vocal and had a bit to cheer about. The Hounds finally seemed to jell. They held the ball when needed, found space and exploited weakness in the Rapids defense to control the play for most of the game. Frankly, it was the best game that the Hounds have played this year.
The excitement started in the 6th minute. A breakdown by the Rapids defense lead to a chance for Pittsburgh. Gary DePalma played a short pass to David Flavius, who was behind the Rapids defense. Expecting an offside call the Rapids defense stopped, but no call was made, Flavius beat Rapids goalie Adin Brown and crossed the ball to Alfredo Ulloa. Ulloa had to stretch to get to the ball, and watch it hit his upturned boot and fly over the net.
The Rapids best chance came in the 17th minute when Raul Diaz Arce let go with a rocket of a shot. The shot clearly beat a diving Dedini but struck the crossbar and rebounded harmlessly into space.
In the 29th minute the Rapids would come oh so close again. Midfielder Chris Carrieri would beat his defender after taking advantage of two mistakes made by Hounds defender Ezzy, and rip one at Randy Dedini. Dedini made the initial save only to watch the rebound bounce through the box. No Rapids player was there to tuck the ball into the open net.
Henry Gutierrez of the Hounds was able to get two good shots off in the 26 and 27th minutes. Brown easily saved both shots however. David Flavius placed a header over the bar in the 42nd minute.
The first half ended with the Hounds controlling most of the play and looking better then they have all year.
In the second half, play seemed to settle down. Both teams realizing that one goal could determine the winner and who would move on.
In the 52nd minute, John Jones took advantage of a badly played throw-in by the Rapids to get a shot off. Only to have a breakdown by the Hounds defense a minute later lead to a shot by John Spencer of the Rapids.
Pittsburgh recovered however and moved the ball deliberately up the field. Some good one touch passing found open space. David Flavius sent a hard cross to Alfredo Ulloa who headed the ball home in the 54th minute. "It hurt my head" Alfredo joked after the game, "the cross was that hard." It was the best goal the Hounds have scored this year, not because it put us ahead of the Rapids, but the buildup to the goal. The Hounds controlled the ball, the forwards made good runs to get open and the midfield made good choices on when and to whom to pass to. "We were more focused." Alfredo said, and it showed.
Colorado almost equalized in the 61st minute of play, John Spencer found himself behind the Hounds defense with a lot of open space. His shot however was right at Dedini, who thought the play should have been offside. Everyone in the stands thought the play should have been offside, but the flag stayed down.
Spencer would threaten again in the 71st minute but his shot was blocked by a sliding Iribarin, and again in the 74th minute. Spencer would take a direct kick from 25 yards out; the wall blocked his shot. He collected the loose ball and shot it again into the wall. His best chance came in the 77th minute, a snap header from a corner kick. Randy Dedini had a little difficulty with it, but kept it out of the net.
Pittsburgh would supply most of the pressure in the last 10 minutes of play. Getting shots off in the 82nd and 83rd minutes. The Rapids found space late in the 85th minute but the cross could not find the head of Spencer. It would be the last attack the Rapids would mount.
Referee J. R. Perdue added a questionable five minutes of extra time to the game. Pittsburgh shut down the Rapids during this period. Phil Karn ended any chance of a tie by easily beating Brown late in extra time.
· Pittsburgh plays the Long Island Rough Riders on Sunday, July 1 at Bethel Park Stadium. Game time is at 6:05 p.m. Tickets are available at www.riverhounds.com or by calling 412-481-2483/
· Pittsburgh's next Open cup game will be against the El Paso Patriots on July 11, 2001. Interestingly enough, the Hounds and Patriots play in El Paso on July 4.
· The Pittsburgh Riverhounds offered US Soccer an undisclosed amount of money for the radio and Internet broadcast rights, but was rebuffed. No reason was given, unless Fox Sports World had exclusive rights.
