Hounds fall to Rochester 2-1
Every season there’s one game where we get a harsh reminder that USL matches are staffed with bottom of the barrel refs. We got one early this year. It’s the unfortunate nature of being in the third division. Rob Vincent is once again a talking point of a game, but this time it’s due to finding himself in the next county over after a shoulder check by Mike Garzi. It’s one thing to be physical when you’re both going after the ball, but Garzi didn’t even make an attempt before throwing his body into Vincent. The lack of a yellow for Garzi isn’t even the big talking point from the play. It’s referee Testa’s decision to not even blow the play dead. Testa turned his back to the match to break up the tussle between the players, and then proceeded to give Vincent a talking to while trying to catch up with play. That’s extremely poor form for a ref and set the tone for the rest of the match that you can be as physical as you want (there were other physical “hits” later on). Sure there’s something to be said to playing to the whistle, but I find it hard to blame the guys. Besides Testa running over there like the play was dead, after watching the replay something else jumped out at me. Testa’s whistle is the same florescent yellow as a yellow card. I don’t know how that is even allowed. As a player, if you see him running over to the scuffle after that hit and you see a flash of yellow in his hand… I’d assume the play was dead too and someone was getting a card.
Admittedly I might be heading a little too far into the conspiracy theory realm with that one. The point is I don’t think anyone would’ve expected play to continue after all that. Even some of the Rochester players were like “oh shit we’re still going.” The whole situation was a joke with the ref basically going ¯\_(ツ)_/¯. If the USL wants to be on the rise as a league then the officiating quality need to rise with it.
At the end of the day though the Hounds didn’t play as well as they did in the opener. Rochester is always a defensive oriented team that plays physical. The Hounds ended up playing right into their hands and weren’t able to adjust well enough. It reminded me how Pens – Flyers games sometimes go. The above incident was early enough that they could have came back, but our boys just couldn’t find the magic that they had in week 1. The season is still young and even with a loss the Hounds are doing better than they have in previous years. This has the potential to be quite the roller coaster ride. The Hounds are away next Saturday against Saint Louis FC. Kick off is 8:30. The watch party will be at the new bar in Highmark Stadium starting at 7.
Notes
- According to the box score Rochester had 15 fouls to the Riverhounds 3. I guess when the Hounds foul they make it count. Arena and Earls pick up two more yellows, their second in as many games
- “Finally, I want to acknowledge the Steel Army for its vocal and visual support last week. I was amazed how many people were out tailgating in the parking lot when I arrived at the stadium despite the frigid conditions. We’re very privileged to have such a committed fan group behind hus. I hope we can give you more reason to celebrate in the coming weeks.” – Mark Steffens in the game day program
- Something about the Rochester player with the ball flying past the turned back of Testa in that gif makes me laugh, and not in a good way
What They’re Saying
Matt Gajtka – DKonPittsburghSports.com
The Riverhounds looked little like the free-flowing team that filled the net with five goals in last week’s eye-opening victory over Harrisburg. Although the second half was even, perhaps favoring the home team slightly, the first half was a case study in how not to attack a well-schooled defensive team that features a towering group of defenders. Leading that group was 6-foot-4 left back Obasi, who helped shut down the Hounds’ ill-conceived reliance on lengthy aerial feeds.
John Krysinsky – Pittsburgh Soccer Report
Controversy aside, it was a tough night for the Riverhounds, who opened their season a week ago with a five-goal outing to defeat Harrisburg, but on this Saturday night, were stymied by a tough, physical and strong defensive Rochester side.
“We didn’t play well. We came out pressing, but couldn’t connect any passes,” said Riverhounds Head Coach, Mark Steffens.
“We played right into their hands for much of the night, especially in the first half.”
Kyle Heizler – Reckless Challenge
During the opening minutes of the game, you could see that this would be a very different game than last week. The Rhinos set up in a 4-4-2 formation and were much more compact in the middle of the park. The spaces given the Hounds midfield last week would not be duplicated. Within the first five minutes, Hounds defender Fejiro Okiomah had to make a timely interception on the edge of the six yard box to stop the Rhinos from having a simple tap in. The testing of the Hounds back line would only get stronger from there.
Some players stopped playing because of the shoving match, but Dixon made a run to the front of the goal and volleyed a cross from Onua Obasi into the net for the winner.
“There should have been a foul there,” Riverhounds coach Mark Steffens said. “Our defenders stopped when the referee went over to break up the little fight, and the goal was allowed to go in. We lost. I’m not pleased.”
Around the League
- Former Riverhound Mike Seth scored the first goal in the Colorado Switchbacks’ team history. They would go on to lose 2-1
- The Charleston Battery keep on rolling. 3 wins in their first 3 games
- The New York Red Bulls make a mockery of the USL roster by sending 11 players to New York Red Bulls II. Red Bulls II defeated Toronto FC II 4-1
- Random aside- Tulsa has a really good broadcast. It’s a shame the Hounds won’t play them in the regular season this year
#UNLEASH
