Kerr's Late Strike Earns Win Over Montreal
PITTSBURGH (June 20, 2015) - The Pittsburgh Riverhounds secured a first league shutout of the USL season Saturday to defeat F.C. Montreal by 1-0 on a damp night at Highmark Stadium.
The Hounds advance to a 5-4-4 record (19 points) with the win to remain within the Eastern Conference playoff spots. Montreal's young side remains rooted to the bottom of the standings (1-9-2, five points).
"It seems like it's been a long time coming," said Riverhounds assistant coach Josh Rife of the team's first clean sheet of the campaign. "We hope it's something we can build on."
Pittsburgh went on the offensive for much of the game allowing rookie goalkeeper Calle Brown to keep his mitts relatively dry in his second league start.
Montreal's most intriguing opportunity came off a long ball to forward Victor N'Diaye on 63 minutes. He sent a shot off Brown's right post after breaking away from the Hounds defense.
The two teams played to a tie in a rather soggy first half. The Hounds assembled a handful of chances that were all handled by Crepeau. Pittsburgh's best chance came off a long diagonal pass by Vincent to the feet of Kerr. The Scottish midfielder sent a rocket of a shot low and to the far post that rolled just wide of the goal.
Montreal failed to register a shot on target at the other end during that scoreless first period as Crepeau kept his team in the game. The Hounds peppered him with shots during the second half too. One effort rebounded from the overworked stopper's face.
The Hounds face a formidable task next week with a trip to Sahlen's Stadium to take on the unbeaten Rochester Rhinos. The Western New Yorkers scored a late equalizer at Harrisburg City Islanders Friday night to advance to a league best 8-0-5 record (29 points).
Rochester notched a contentious 2-1 win over the Hounds at Highmark Stadium in this season's first meeting between the teams on April 4. Rhinos defender Onua Obasi set up Alex Dixon to score the Rhinos winner while referee Vito Testa Jr. appeared to be pre-occupied with a midfield scuffle.
The Hounds return home for the July 4 holiday and a 7 p.m. meeting with New York Red Bulls II that will feature a post-game fireworks display. Limited tickets remain for the game.
Visit Riverhounds.com for ticket information or call our box office on (412) 325-7241 to speak to a representative.
Scoring Summary:
PGH - Kevin Kerr 79'
Misconduct Summary:
MTL - Jeremy Gagnon-Lapere 34' (caution)
Line-ups:
Riverhounds - Calle Brown, Sterling Flunder (Miro Cabrilo 69'), Anthony Arena, Fejiro Okiomah, Willie Hunt, Rob Vincent, Stephen Okai, Max Touloute (Tyler Pasher 59'), Kevin Kerr, Mike Green, Drew Russell (Boris Zivanovic 75')
F.C. Montreal - Max Crepeau, Franck Zoue (Zachary Sukunda 67'), Chakib Hocine, Mele Temguia, Janouk Charbonneau, Mastanabal Kacher (Zakaria Messoudi 63'), Nazim Belguendouz (Alessandro Riggi 76'), Jeremy Gagnon-Lapare (Charles Joly 83'), Frederic Lajoie-Gravelle (Marco Dominguez 75'), Victor Ndiaye, Fabio Morelli
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