In its final game of the regular season, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (15-5-14) fell at the hands of New York Red Bulls II (13-8-13), 2-1, on Sunday at MSU Soccer Park. The Hounds cut the deficit to one after a second-half stoppage time goal from Joe Greenspan, but ultimately ran out of time. Here’s how the defender recorded his third goal of the season.

90’+5 Joe Greenspan assisted by Joe Holland

A corner kick fueled the Hounds’ comeback attempt in second-half stoppage time.

Taking the corner opportunity, Joe Holland (not pictured) booted a ball aimed at the far post. As the sphere (highlighted yellow) descends, Greenspan (green arrow) will have a contested aerial duel with opposing defender Hassan Ndam (red arrow). Although both players are taller in nature, Greenspan ultimately skies over Ndam, using the two inches provided to him by his 6-foot-6-inch frame to his advantage.

His ensuing header beat New York goalkeeper Scott Levene to the bottom left-hand corner to cut the deficit to 2-1.

The Other Side

Both of New York’s goals happened quickly.

In the 30th minute, striker Tom Barlow took advantage of a misplayed ball in the Hounds’ end and sprinted to steal possession. Once he gathered control, Barlow hurried into the left side of the penalty area before ripping a shot past Pittsburgh goalkeeper Dan Lynd.

Similarly to its first goal, Red Bulls II used a fast break to release a shot on target from the penalty box for its second tally. Receiving a pass from José Aguinaga, Jared Stroud slipped past the Pittsburgh backline before finding the net from the right side of the 18-yard box, giving New York a 2-0 advantage in the 90’+1 minute.

Tale of the Tape

Throughout the match, both teams played to a nearly even possession time. Red Bulls II won the overall possession battle, holding the ball for 51 percent of the match, but the Hounds spent more time in their attacking third than did New York (27 percent compared to 23 percent).

Even though the Hounds outshot New York, 15-to-9, and posted more shots on target, 5-to-3, their opposition found ways to counterattack this shortcoming. Helping neutralize Pittsburgh’s shots advantage, Red Bulls II blocked six shots before they could find their way to Levene to help propel the club to victory.