The Maryland Bobcat’s run in the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S Cup came to a close this past Tuesday after a great effort against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. This highly anticipated rematch from the 2022 US Open Cup second round had fans from both teams excited for the match. The Bobcats were looking to prove themselves after last year’s 2-0 loss to the Riverhounds, who knocked them out of this tournament last year. 

The Bobcats started off strong in the first half, asserting their defensive strength by picking off several balls from Riverhound players in the first ten minutes of play. Bobcats’ goalkeeper Alexander Sutton also displayed his sharp field awareness, and easily saved the Riverhounds first corner kick of the match in the 10th minute. The Bobcats first chance at goal came in the 18th minute from Manuel Gonzalez, who struck a long shot from outside the Riverhound goal box. Riverhound keeper Christian Garner was able to save this attempt. Alexander Sutton made back-to-back diving saves in both the 35th and 37th minutes to keep the score level. In the 39th minute Manuel Gonzalez picked up a yellow card, followed closely by another yellow card for Bobcats’ Joesselin Possian in the 45th minute. The Riverhounds’ high press strategy forced the Bobcats’ defense to be on high alert throughout the duration of the first half, and made it difficult for the Bobcats attackers to make shots on goal. 

A strong performance from both teams left the score at 0-0 heading into the second half. The Bobcats came out looking to use their talent to create more chances. In the 55th minute forward Darwin Espinal was able to split two Riverhound defenders and take a shot on goal from close range, forcing Riverhound keeper Christian Garner to make a diving save. In the 57th minute Riverhounds’ Langston Blackstock picked up a yellow card. Alexander Sutton came to the Bobcats’ aid again and again, making consecutive saves in the 69th 75th minute against powerful Riverhound attacks. Bobcats' forward Akingbolahan Akinkoye was able to cross the ball into the Riverhounds box in the 75th minute, but the Riverhounds defense was able to make sure that the Bobcats did not convert the pass into a goal.  

It was in the last fifteen minutes of play that the Riverhounds converted their attacks. In the 81st minute, Riverhound forward Tola Showunmi headed the ball straight into the path of teammate Edward Kizza, giving Kizza the chance to slot the ball into the back of the net and give the Riverhounds a 1-0 lead. Just ten minutes later, the Riverhounds pounced on a giveaway pass and headed straight towards the Bobcats’ goal. Riverhound midfielder Anders Bordoy took an initial shot, but Alexander Sutton was able to pry the ball out of harm’s way. The ball landed in the path of Riverhound midfielder Burke Fahling, who extended Riverhounds lead to 2-0 in the 90+1st minute of the match. The match ended with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds winning 2-0, and they will advance to the fourth round of the 2023 Lamar Hunt U.S Cup.

The Bobcats will be back in action for regular season play on Saturday, May 13th at 6:00PM against Flower City Union.

Match Details 

Maryland Bobcats FC: Sutton (GK); Filerman, Kooistra (89'), Mansour, Brown (71'); Gonzalez, Akinkoye (82'), Possian; Espinal, Wivell (82'), Pritchett (89')

Substitutions: Hollinger (GK), Likulia (71'), Contech (82'), Madad (82'), Solomon (82'), Mbouombouo (89'), Sotarello

Bookings: Possian (39'), Gonzalez (45')

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC: Garner (GK); Blackstock (89'), Deshields, Hogan, Biasi; Zweetsloot, Mertz (84'), Lopez (69'), Fahling, Harmon (69'); Showunmi (84')

Substitutions: Gomes (GK), Kizza (69'), Dossantos (69'), Ordonez (84') Bordoy (89'), Lega

Goals: Kizza (81'), Fahling (90+1')

Bookings: Blackstock (57')