Head to the team store and get some blue and gold gear
Score: Fort Pitt Regiment 1-2 FC Buffalo
Next match: home on Friday, 7 p.m. vs. AFC Cleveland
FC Buffalo picked up a gritty road win to strengthen its playoff hopes with a 2-1 win at Fort Pitt Regiment on Sunday afternoon, meaning the club will finish the regular season unbeaten on the road.
Connor Willings set Ngwese Ebangwese up for a 17th minute goal that was answered moments later by FPR, but Kendell McFayden finished a late penalty kick to put all three points in the visitors’ pockets.
“Proud of the boys for their fight today,” said head coach Brendan Murphy. “The group is coming together at the right time. It is a true testament to this group’s character that we are unbeaten on the road this year.”
Willings picked off an errant FPR pass and quickly spotted Ebangwese, who carried the ball toward goal and buried his opportunity.
Reuben Jolo equalized two minutes later with a nice upper 90 shot, as FPR did a good job staying back against FCB’s possession and using speedy forwards on the counter attack.
The game could’ve been a draw, but substitute Brett Larocque crafted a dribble around the right of the defense and cranked a shot off the far post. Ebangwese’s rebound shot was adjudged to have blocked with a hand, and McFayden got the keeper going the wrong way to make it 2-1.
Goalkeeper Andrew Coughlin was again needed right down to the last minute, collecting a through ball and then fending off a fight when Matthew Fonagy kicked him in the ribs. Fonagy was tossed and Fox Slotemaker given a yellow for shoving the FPR player to the turf.
A loss by Indiana Fire in any of its final three games assures FCB a playoff spot, though the club will aim for much higher when fellow playoff pusher AFC Cleveland comes to town on Friday at 7 p.m. on Fan Appreciation Day at Robert Rich Sr. All-High Stadium.
LINEUP
FCB: Coughlin; Lauko, Slotemaker, McFayden, M. Ferguson; Brandell, Willings (Knapp, 46′), A. Ferguson (Larocque, 60′), Dahl (Thomas, 71′), Danzy (Rozzano, 59′); Ebangwese (Beshaw, 88′)
Goals: Ebangwese (17′), McFayden (PK, 79′)
Great road win. See you guys on Friday home game.