 
|
|||||||||||||
              
|
Take command in U.S. Open Cup qualifying series Sunday, May 21, 2000 By Ray Fittipaldo, Post-Gazette Sports Writer
The Riverhounds struggled to find their groove during the first three games of the season, yet earned two wins and tie. Last night, they finally came together on offense and scored a crucial victory over the Long Island Roughriders at Bethel Park High School Stadium.
Mike Butler scored two goals and David Flavius had the other as the Riverhounds beat the Roughriders, 3-1, getting a leg up in the A-League standings, but more important, a leg up in this two-game qualifying series for the right to move on to the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
The Riverhounds (3-0-1) received a bonus point in the standings for scoring three goals in a game, a new rule in the A-League this year. That bonus point could come in handy next week when the Riverhounds travel to Long Island for the second game of this two-game qualifying series. Even if the Roughriders win next week, they would have to score three goals or more to earn the right to move into the second round, meaning the Riverhounds have tactical control of the series.
"It's going to be interesting to see if that cushion is going to be enough next week," Riverhounds Coach John Kowalski said.
The Riverhounds controlled play from the onset but had to wait until the 28th minute for their hard work to be rewarded.
Adam Fedoruk hit the crossbar in the seventh minute, and Mike Butler had a goal disallowed when Nick Terlecky was called for obstruction in the crease in the 24th minute.
The missed opportunities spurred the Riverhounds instead of deflating them. Four minutes after Butler's apparent goal was disallowed, Flavius, who scored the winner in overtime against Atlanta last week, picked up a rebound and gave the Riverhounds a 1-0 lead.
That began a three-goal barrage over the next eight minutes. Off a free kick in the 32nd minute, Butler deflected a Jair Vasquez pass past goalkeeper Paul Grafer.
Four minutes later, on an odd-man break, Fedoruk passed to Flavius, who floated a pass across the crease to an airborne Butler, who scored one of the prettiest goals of the season on a header.
"After those first couple opportunities, the big thing is not to get frustrated," Butler said. "It was just a matter of getting that first goal."
Kowalski's lineup changes paid immediate dividends. Vasquez and David "Tex" Husbands started in place of Gary DePalma and David Wright. Vasquez and Husbands factored in on two of the three first-half goals.
"There has to be merit to practice during the week," Kowalski said. "Those who practice hard deserve a chance to play. Jair is an experienced player, and everyone saw his skill level tonight."
The Riverhounds scored just five goals in their first three games.
"We were pretty explosive," Kowalski said. "We had good energy in the warmups. We were psyched."
The Roughriders scored two minutes into the second half, but three goals proved too much to overcome. The Riverhounds played a smart, defensive game in the final 45 minutes, never allowing the Roughriders a chance to get back in the game.
"We're in the driver's seat," Butler said. "We need to get the win next week. We don't have to win as badly, but we still have to get the win. We don't want to leave it to chance."
"We could choose to play a defensive posture next week, that's one possibility," Kowalski said. "However, we do play well going up and down the field. We'll have to talk it over as a coaching staff."
|
||||||||||||
