The Hounds showed up to play some soccer but a water polo game broke out.
Once again the Hounds fall to Rochester with a late goal and once again the referee is at the center of attention. It’s one thing to battle the weather for 90 minutes, but it’s entirely something else to have to fight the man with the whistle as well. And boy, did Rochester play him like a fiddle. I like slip ‘n slides as much as the next guy, but Rochester players are on another level with how fast went to ground. I guess when your stadium is in a run down neighborhood that’s the most fun you get to have all summer without risk of being mugged.
I could sit here and complain about the call against Arena that set up the PK, but I’m more concerned with getting the number on that truck that apparently hit the Rochester player when Arena touched him. I hope the other players don’t try to thumb wrestle Arena on the bus or else they’ll end up two lanes over. Really we shouldn’t have been in that situation to begin with. By far the worst decision the ref made was not calling or at the very least delaying the game. That field was an utter joke. Just. Look. At It. It’s no exaggeration to say 2/3 of it was under standing water. The puddles made it near impossible to pass the ball, stopped a goal scoring opportunity by Kerr (can you give a puddle a red card?), and without a doubt directly lead to the 31 combined fouls between the team. It was dangerous. I’m surprised no one was seriously injured. We never should’ve reached the 79th minute.
I couldn’t even tell you how well the Hounds played in Lake Erie. It was just one giant mess. Hopefully they can put that debacle behind them quickly. The Hounds are still in a playoff spot and still within striking distance of a couple teams above them. They have a tough one coming up against New York Red Bulls II next weekend. It’s tough not only because we’ll be missing two key players to suspensions, but because the Baby Bulls have been on a tear lately. 3-1-1 in their last five and throttled St. Louis this past weekend. We’ll need everyone loud on Saturday.
Notes
- First and foremost thanks again to Richard Nightingale for putting up the money for the bus. Other than the result and the weather it was a fun time by all.
- Thank you to Steel Army members who made the trek and braved the elements. Trips like this, and our loyalty, is what makes us legends.
- Speaking of legends, Steffens and Niko propelled themselves from fan favorites to legends for giving the ref a piece of their minds before being ejected.
- At the time Arena’s yellow in the 90th looked like complete crap. After watching the replay, even though he did get all ball I can see why the ref called the foul in the heat of the moment. Arena left his feet and went in studs up. Tough to tell though if the yellow was for the foul or for seemingly telling the ref to go fuck himself.
- The Hounds will be without Earls and Hunt next week. Earls picked up his 5th yellow which means he’ll be suspended again. Hunt’s red will keep him out as well unless the Hounds can successfully appeal it.
- 15 fouls by the Rhino’s and no cards. I guess that crowd of 6,704 really intimidated that ref…
- 6,704 huh? What a joke. That has to be the most padded attendance number I’ve every seen. The Steel Army alone practically outnumbered their fans.
- Apparently we made some folks in Rochester mad. Job well done folks.
What They’re Saying
John Krysinsky – Pittsburgh Soccer Report
The wet field, with many standing puddles, wrecked havoc for both teams trying to connect passes, maintain possession and develop a good rhythm to the game.
Despite the conditions, with players on both sides slipping and having trouble sending passes through the water drenched field, both teams created their share of dangerous chances.
“Conditions are conditions. We had to persevere through it. And for much of the match we had better of play. I give a lot of credit to our guys tonight,” said Rife.
…
“I’ve never been a part of an organization that’s had this kind of support. I give them (Steel Army) so much credit. That’s the kind of support that will help drive this club forward,” said Rife about the bus full of fans who made the trip.
Matt Gajtka – DKonPittsburghSports.com
Assistant coach Josh Rife came across as diplomatic about Herrera’s call after the match, drawing on his experience as a former USL all-league defender.
“I played back for a long time,” Rife said. “If you do something that forces the referee to make a judgement call, you can’t really complain. That’s the game. Some are going to go in your favor, and some are not.”
The topic carried over after the match in the locker room area, where Riverhounds team president Richard Nightingale and Rhinos coach Bob Lilley were seen discussing the call – occasionally animatedly – in the view of a handful of reporters.
Riverhounds forward Mike Green said there were “several” calls with which he took issue.
Arena was not immediately available for comment, but he later tweeted: “Two things wrong with our beautiful sport. Players who dive and the refs that bail them out over and over.”
#UNLEASH
