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Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Another entertaining draw on the road keeps Hounds unbeaten

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 2, Tampa Bay Rowdies 2

USL Match Center

The Riverhounds SC sure know how to play entertaining draws on the road.

For the third time this season, Pittsburgh came away with a tie on the road in a back-and-forth match played before a large, lively crowd of 6,202 fans. Saturday’s match at Al Lang Stadium ended level, 2-2, against a desperate and inspired Tampa Bay Rowdies squad playing for new coach Neill Collins.

In a match that had a little bit of everything from an own goal to a free kick stunner, the Hounds remain without a loss after nine league games (4-0-5), while the Rowdies snapped a three game league losing streak to earn a point.

Pittsburgh responded after falling behind early in the contest thanks to two goals that came from the foot of Romeo Parkes.

The Rowdies made its first chance count. After a short corner, Lance Roseboom flicked a shot past Hounds keeper Dan Lynd who may have been caught a little out of position on the play.

Rozeboom had enough from his right footed shot from the center of the box to the bottom right corner. The assist came from Alex Morrell with a cross after receiving a short pass.

On the first Hounds goal, in the 21st minute, Parkes had some help after a hard low shot on frame forced Rowdies goalkeeper Akira Fitzgerald to knock the shot away. The ball deflected high into the air toward the far post area — and Rowdies defender Max Lachowecki botched an attempt to clear it out. The play started from a pinpoint through ball from Christiano François to Parkes in open space to set it up.

Then the Hounds, who were out-possessed by a 60-40 margin in the first half, took the lead on a quick counter goal — creating a turnover at midfield. They moved swiftly into the final third, where Kenardo Forbes cut back a ball toward the near post area for Parkes.

This time Parkes made sure he would get credit for his first goal of the season, with a nice finishing touch to sneak it inside right post and past a diving Fitzgerald to give the Hounds 2-1 lead.

In the second half, with the Hounds sitting back a bit defending its 2-1 lead, a foul near the box in the 59th minute set the stage for Joe Cole to work some of his magic on a free kick opportunity.

The former English national team player stunned the Hounds by bending a shot around the Hounds wall. Goalkeeper Dan Lynd was right in position to make a save but the pace of the shot was too hot for Lynd to handle.

 

Lynd kept his composure — as he would come up with some with a number of saves to keep the score level.

The Hounds also found a few more chances on countering opportunities in a match which they conceded the possession battle (63/37), including Parkes’ sub, Neco Brett coming very close to hitting the game winner in the 82nd minute.

The Rowdies keeper Akira Fitzgerald denied Brett from scoring his sixth tally of the season.

The Rowdies had one more chance late, and Lynd saved possibly his best save of the season with a quick reaction that would keep the home team from coming away with a come-from-behind win in the 88th minute.

The 17 minutes that the Hounds trailed in this match remains the only time they’ve trailed this season.

With the draw, they moved up to 17 points, which is currently good for fourth place in the USL’s Eastern Conference.

Scoring:
3’ – TBR – Lance Rozeboom (Alex Morrell)
20’ – PGH – Max Lachowecki (own goal)
30’ – PGH – Romeo Parkes (Kenardo Forbes)
59 ‘ – TBR – Joe Cole

Riverhounds SC Starting XI

Dan Lynd (G),

D – Todd Pratzner, Hugh Roberts (Tobi Adewole 81′), Thomas Vancaeyezeele

MF – Ray Lee, Jordan Dover, Ben Zemanski, Kenardo Forbes, 

F – Christiano François, Romeo Parkes (Neco Brett 81′), Kevin Kerr (Joe Holland 81′)

Unused subs:

Mike Kirk (G), Noah Franke, Bakie Goodman, Andy Lubahn 

 

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John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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