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FCC, Riverhounds End Deadlocked Before 22,643

By NICHOLAS MURRAY - nicholas.murray@uslsoccer.com, 09/03/17, 12:07AM EDT

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Hertzog’s early goal cancelled out by Wiedeman’s tally in 1-1 draw


Photo courtesy Erik Schelkun / FC Cincinnati

CINCINNATI – FC Cincinnati and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds played to a 1-1 draw in front of 22,643 fans at Nippert Stadium on Saturday night as the Riverhounds extended their undefeated streak to five games. The Riverhounds struck only three minutes in as Corey Hertzog scored his 11th goal of the season with a curling shot from 25 yards into the left corner. Riverhounds midfielder Romeo Parkes almost had a chance at a second, only to lose control as he bore in down the left, but then Cincinnati started to find more pressure. Riverhounds defender Tobi Adewole blocked a chance and cleared after a goal-mouth scramble in the 24th minute, and Jamal Jack made a good headed clearance after FCC’s Andrew Wiedeman had shrugged off a defender and had space on the right side of the penalty area. FCC tied the game through Wiedeman five minutes before halftime, however, as a deflection off a Riverhounds defender set up for a low shot to the right corner from 16 yards. Both Hertzog and Cincinnati’s Kenney Walker went close for either side early in the second half, while Wiedeman had a deflected shot skim the crossbar before going over. Wiedeman was also denied by a sliding challenge by Riverhounds defender Taylor Washington as he broke toward goal, while Hertzog sent a dipping shot just wide of the right post for the Riverhounds with 14 minutes to go. Djiby Fall almost put FCC ahead with three minutes to go, but the game ended even as the race for the playoffs for both remained tight.

Scoring:
3’ – PGH – Corey Hertzog (Chevaughn Walsh)
40’ – CIN – Andrew Wiedeman

Three Things That Matter:

  • 1. As tight as the race for the Eastern Conference is, a draw is a positive result, but not what either side will have been hoping for coming in. In the end, though, it was probably a fair result as the Riverhounds matched their hosts in intensity and produced enough chances to potentially take its first win in the all-time series. Both teams should take positives from the contest, though, as they push on to try and secure a place in the postseason.

  • 2. Pittsburgh hadn’t found the net in four previous meetings with FC Cincinnati, but after a bright opening the Riverhounds broke their drought with another excellent goal by Corey Hertzog. Since arriving at the club prior to last season, the Pennsylvania native has been the consistent scoring threat the Riverhounds had lacked since the standout season of Jose Angulo in 2013, with 24 goals over the past two regular seasons. Hertzog almost found the net again with 14 minutes to go with a fine dipping effort, and his creativity in the final third is going to be key if the Riverhounds are going to make a return to the playoffs.

  • 3. FCC forward Andrew Wiedeman hasn’t got the eye-popping numbers of some of his teammates this season, but his performance highlighted why he’s been such an important player for the side over the course of this season. Wiedeman scored a good goal, but on top of that repeatedly appeared in good positions to find a winner for FCC in the second half, an excellent challenge by Pittsburgh’s Taylor Washington denying the best of them. With FCC having seemingly found a plan for the rest of the season tactically, Wiedeman could come to the fore more over the final stretch.

USLSoccer.com Man of the Match

Taylor Washington, Pittsburgh Riverhounds – Washington was strong at the back for the Riverhounds, making four interceptions, five clearances as Pittsburgh earned a point on the road.

Upcoming Games:
FC Cincinnati
at Harrisburg City Islanders – September 12, 6:30 p.m. ET, FNB Field
Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. Louisville City FC – September 9, 7 p.m. ET, Highmark Stadium

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