GAME SUMMARY

Sunday, June 29, 2008         Chartiers Valley High School
Pittsburgh Riverhounds   1 (Evans 90’)
Richmond Kickers            3 (Schramm 30’, Catalano 49’, Bulow 90’)

PITTSBURGH, PA – The Richmond Kickers picked up three points in Pittsburgh Sunday night on a 3-1 win to finish the weekend.  Returning to the Kickers lineup, on loan from the New York Red Bulls, Ricky Schramm tallied a goal for his former club, courtesy of an Adrian Bumbut assist.  Defender Anthony Catalano connected with Bumbut shortly after the break to put the visiting up again, while forward David Bulow registered in the 90th minute.  Second-half stoppage time allowed the Riverhounds to avoid the shutout, as they were awarded a last-minute penalty kick, converted by Justin Evans. 

The Kickers opened scoring in the 30th minute when Schramm got back into scoring ways for Richmond.  Bumbut crossed the ball in from the left side, slicing through the Riverhounds defense.  A well-positioned Schramm poked it over the goal line from six yards out, past a diving Zach Varga. 

Nine minutes later, Schramm was dangerous again, this time from Ian Bennett who placed the ball behind the defense, finding Schramm 1v1 with Varga.  With a quick stutter-step around the ‘keeper, he unleashed a 16 yard rocket that sailed just wide of the far post.

With just two minutes remaining in the half, the Riverhounds were awarded a free kick, just outside the box.  Midfielder Ryan Caugherty lined up the shot from the right side of the arc and fired on target but his strike rebounded over the endline.  Caugherty delivered the resulting corner but forward Travis MacKenzie set it high over the crossbar.

Richmond doubled their lead four minutes into the second half, again on an assist by Bumbut.  He served in a Kickers corner from the right side, finding an unmarked Catalano in the air, eight yards out.  His free header split the defender at the left post and the goalkeeper and sailed into the back of the net. 

Pittsburgh attempted to get on the board in the 60th minute when a perfectly-placed ball was played through the Kickers back line.  Forward Leon Browne collected the ball and did not hesitate to strike but the close call glanced the woodwork on its way wide. 

Ten minutes later, the Riverhounds looked dangerous again, this time with a cross played in to the far post.  Kickers goalkeeper Mark Murphy made a leaping save, just as MacKenzie collided with him in the air.  The ball was knocked loose from the impact and rolled over the line but no goal was allowed as the foul was called in Richmond’s favor. 

The last minute of the match saw the final two goals, with the Kickers taking their third tally of the night, while the Riverhounds avoided the shutout.  First, a nice combination between Kickers midfielders Mike Burke and Stanley Nyazamba allowed Burke to play Nyazamba in behind the defense.  Alone, he challenged Varga but mis-hit the ball to the far post.  Luckily for Richmond, Bulow was able to sneak through and tap it into the open net. 

Not to be left off the board, the Riverhounds found the opportunity to notch their lone goal of the match during second-half injury time.  MacKenzie was taken down inside the box by Kickers defender Adam Chavez.  Evans prepared the subsequent penalty kick and angled the ball to the near post, past the reaching Murphy. 

The Richmond Kickers will face the New England Revolution (MLS) on Tuesday, July 1st in the US Open Cup Third Round.  They continue their road stand with a match-up against Real Maryland Monarchs on July 4th and a trip to Bermuda on July 6th.  The Kickers return home on July 12th to host Pittsburgh at 7:00 pm at the University of Richmond Stadium. 

Box Score      First Half     Second Half      Final
Pittsburgh               0                       1                  1
Richmond               1                       2                  3

Scoring Summary
30th minute: Richmond – Ricky Schramm (Adrian Bumbut)
49th minute: Richmond – Anthony Catalano (Adrian Bumbut)
90th minute: Richmond – David Bulow (Stanley Nyazamba)
90th minute: Pittsburgh – Justin Evans (Penalty)

Lineups
Riverhounds: GK Zach Varga, Nathan Salsi, Ed Hayden, Greg Janicki (Romain Cheurlin – 76’), Chris Riley, Ryan Caugherty (Allan Brown – 81’), Justin Evans, Jason Kutney (John Liersemann – 45’), Boyzz Khumalo, Travis MacKenzie, Leon Browne (Ryan Zabinski – 62’)
Kickers: GK Mark Murphy, Ralph Pace (John Gilkerson – 80’), Kelvin Jones, Adam Chavez, Trevor McEachron, Anthony Catalano, Adrian Bumbut (Mike Burke – 80’), Eliot Paschalis (Luke Vercollone – 45’), Ian Bennett (David Bulow – 45’), Ricky Schramm, Freddie Smith (Stanley Nyazamba – 73’)

Shots                        Saves                      Fouls                       Corners
Kickers:        12     Kickers:          2      Kickers:           8      Kickers:           1
Riverhounds: 18     Riverhounds:  2      Riverhounds:    7      Riverhounds:     8

Cautions:
73rd minute: Chris Riley (Pittsburgh)

Ejections:
None.
 
Referee:    Dino Sorbara
Assistant Referees:   Dave Potter, Josh Vehec
Fourth Official:    N/A
Attendance:    850
Weather:    Thunderstorms