Riverhounds rally, edge CFC 3-2 in OT

Wednesday, June 15, 2011

PITTSBURGH - The Chattanooga Football Club was in position to pull off the upset Tuesday night but couldn't hold off the Pittsburgh Riverhounds down the stretch.

The Riverhounds overcame a 2-0 deficit in the second half to force overtime and scored in the extra period for a 3-2 win in the first round of the U.S. Open Cup soccer tournament.

Chattanooga FC took a 1-0 lead in the 14th minute when midfielder Ivan Heredia caught Pittsburgh's goalkeeper out of position and fired a shot into the net.

Mark Beattie made it 2-0 10 minutes into the second half, and it looked like the amateur squad had a chance to knock off the Riverhounds, a professional team that competes in the United Soccer Leagues pro division.

Pittsburgh then scored two goals, the second in the closing minutes of regulation, to tie the game. The Riverhounds scored the game-winner in the first of the two 15-minute overtime halves, and CFC was unable to answer.

Chattanooga FC returns to National Premier Soccer League action Saturday night at Finley Stadium against Rocket City.