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Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Final: Miami 3, Riverhounds 2

FiNAL: Miami FC 3, Riverhounds SC 2

Live Statistics: USL Championship Match Center

Match Summary

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC once again couldn’t put away Miami FC, as a 90th-minute goal by Pierre Da Silva completed the hosts’ comeback and sent the Hounds to a 3-2 loss Saturday night at Riccardo Silva Stadium in Miami.

The comeback spoiled a two-goal night by captain Kenardo Forbes for the Hounds (14-8-6), who slip behind Miami (14-7-6) and into third in the Atlantic Division after the loss. Lamar Walker and Othello Bah scored for Miami, tying the game at 1-1 and 2-2, respectively.

The Hounds have let a lead slip away in all three meetings with Miami this season, getting a 1-1 draw and two 3-2 losses despite being in a winning position in the 45th minute or later in all three matches.

First half

Things started perfectly for the Hounds, as Alex Dixon threaded a pass to Forbes behind the defense on the right side. The Hounds’ captain didn’t have much of an angle, but he was able to rifle a shot to the opposite top corner and open the scoring in the third minute.

It only took 51 seconds for Miami to tie the game, as a long ball over the top to Walker after the ensuing kickoff wasn’t handled by the Hounds defense, and the Miami striker beat goalie Danny Vitiello with a low shot to the far post.

Play continued in open fashion, as both teams continued to create chances. The Hounds finished the half with 57 percent of possession and a 5-4 edge in shots, but the score was level at the break.

Second half

The Hounds started promisingly in the second half, as Dixon pushed an open shot just wide of the Miami goal, and Russell Cicerone hit the left post with a shot from 14 yards out.

Forbes put the Hounds ahead again in the 66th minute with an open header at the back post for his fifth goal of the season. He finished a well-struck cross by Tommy Williamson, who got his second assist in as many games.

The Hounds seemed to have things under control, but Miami showed its potency on the counter creating chances late, and finally Bah scored the tying goal with an open shot from the top of the box that beat Vitiello to his near post in the 83rd minute.

Tied 2-2, Miami capitalized on its momentum by again countering with a big ball from the right side to the left, where Da Silva was able to get enough space and time to score to the far corner of the net from a couple strides inside the box.

Miami ended up with more of the ball in the second half, as the final possession number was an even 50-50.

Gameday Updates

Final – Forbes scores 2 goals but the Riverhounds lose this one in the end as they blow their 2-1 lead and give up 2 goals in the final 6 minutes. Pittsburgh was the more dominant team but failed to possess and get forward in the final 20 min. Final score 3-2.

90+’ – Cicerone gets a yellow card. Really surprised that there’s only 2 minutes of stoppage time when there were 10 subs in the second half. Should be at least 5 min if you ask me. But at the same time the Hounds have really folded on this game.

90′ – In the 90th minute Miami scores!! 3-2 Miami. A brilliant assist from Francois to Da Silva. Da Silva scores his second of the year and Francois earns his fourth assist.

Only 2 minutes of stoppage time added.

88′ – Speedy Williams with a quick shot but this time saved by Vitiello. Few minutes left in the match. 2-2.

86′ – Final sub of the match as Ezra Armstrong is coming on for Jelani Peters. Riverhounds putting out a fast and talented player to try and steal back this win. 2-2.

84′ – Miami ties it up. Great goal from Othello Bah who was subbed on earlier. A hard strike with the left foot just outside the 18. I think Vitiello believes he should’ve had that one. 4th goal on the year for Othello.

82′ – Miami makes their last two subs. Reid and Da Silva on for Martinez the captain and Loebe.

76′ – Jalen Robinson and Preston Kilwien now coming on for Alex Dixon and Dani Rovira. I think Bob Lilley is moving to a 4 in the back with the wing backs still working back defensively and Danny Griffin sitting in front of the CBs.

71′ – Forbes now with 57 points all time (13G, 31A). 1 point behind Rob Vincent for 6th all time in club history. Forbes also has a career high in goals in a season with 5. He now has 5 goals and 6 assists on the season and Williamson earned his 4th assist.

69′ – After the goal, both teams make some subs. Velarde and Perez on for Williamson and Wharton. For Miami, Palacios on for Walker.

67′ – King Kenny does it again!! 2-1 Hounds. A great cross from Williamson and Forbes just heads it in hard. That goal was bound to happen.

65′ – Cicerone hits the post!! Bad turnover for Miami almost results in a Pittsburgh goal. Close chance.

61′ – Miami makes their first few subs. Ballard and Othello on for McFarlane and Forbes.

58′ – I think the Riverhounds have been the better team, especially in this second half. Need to be careful for Miami’s counterattack but I think Miami just allows the game to be so open which benefits Pittsburgh’s 3-4-2-1 formation and play style.

54′ – Great move on the wing by McFarlane the RB. His cross gets cleared but a nifty move to split the defense.

52′ – Wow, a great ball from Williamson across the field. Brilliant curve on it but Dixon just can’t tuck it home. Shot just goes wide. Score still 1-1.

50′ – Another corner thanks to Alex Dixon but yet again Riverhounds don’t convert. Martinez now with a hand ball but Hounds again don’t create anything off the free kick.

45′ – Second half begins. Riverhounds still looking for that first win ever against Miami.

Half – After 45, both teams remain tied 1-1. Exciting first half with many chances. 2 goals very early on. A few yellow cards handed out and much emotion showed from the players. You can tell we’re getting close to playoff time.

45++’ – Danny Griffin gets a yellow card for a rough slide tackle just before the half ends.

45′ – 3 minutes of stoppage time added. Mainly because Sparrow needed a few minutes after getting banged up.

44′ – Martinez with a big chance at the end of the half but his left foot shot is saved well by Vitiello.

38′ – Great passing between Cicerone and Dixon. They create two chances to cross it in but just no goal.

34′ – Williamson loses the ball twice within a minute. Better be more efficient up there or Bob Lilley will take him out.

29′ – Chapman-Page on Miami gets a yellow card. He didn’t even have a foul but he freaked out yelling at the ref aggressively expecting there to be a different call.

24′ – Close chance for the Hounds. Great diagonal run by Williamson. Forbes sets him up nice but Sparrow comes out and makes the save on Williamson. Sparrow is 3rd in the USL in saves with 79 coming into this game.

22′ – Ariel Martinez of Miami gets a yellow card. His complaining to the referee earns him a caution.

20′ – A reminder that Pittsburgh is (0-1-1) all-time against The Miami FC. They have yet to beat them and are playing at Miami for the first time ever.

12′ – Miami almost scores again. Jelani Peters just stares at the ball being crossed along the box. I don’t really understand trying to delay and patiently defend when the ball is in the box. Needs to be better. This game is too open so far.

11′ – Cicerone with a nice give-n-go but hits his shot too high. He’s upset you can tell but it’s early on.

6′ – King Kenny Forbes is now 7th all time in points in club history with 55 points (12G, 31A). He passes Phil Karn and is now 3 points behind Rob Vincent.

4′ – Well, Miami ties it up within seconds. Lamar Walker scores his 6th of the year. Not good positional defense from the Hounds back line. Game is tied up once again. 1-1.

3′ – WHAT AN ASSIST FROM ALEX DIXON!! Great chip over the back line to Forbes who riffles it into the top corner at a tough angle. Forbes now has 4 goals on the year and Dixon has his 8th assist. 1-0 Riverhounds.

1′ – We are underway in Miami. Crucial divisional game tonight. Points matter for playoff seeding big time.

Look for live updates including lineups posted here prior to kickoff.


PSN’s Recent Riverhounds Coverage

On Friday, PSN’s John Krysinsky took a closer look at Miami FC, got quotes from Bob Lilley and previewed tonight’s match and the daunting stretch of games coming up for the Hounds.

In addition, there was some eye-opening off-the-field news coming out of Miami this week as Jahshaun Anglin, a 20-year old midfielder, from Jamaica, was arrested for allegedly sexually assaulting a woman inside of a classroom on the campus of Florida International University on Tuesday.

Anglin was taken into custody later in the evening and charged with one count of sexual battery.

Make or Break Time: Hounds begin daunting October stretch at Miami FC

Riverhounds Game Notes

The top four in the Atlantic Division have separated themselves from the pack, and the Hounds (14-7-6) and Miami (13-7-6) currently hold the second and third spots, respectively. With second place comes at least one home playoff game, making this matchup and the Hounds’ second trip to Miami on Oct. 16 crucial for seeding.

Miami staged a second-half comeback to win the team’s last meeting, 3-2, on Aug. 11 at Highmark Stadium. The guests were sparked by their players with Pittsburgh ties, as Christiano François scored for the second time in as many matches against the Hounds, his former team, and Speedy Williams, who starred at nearby Robert Morris University in college, netted the tying and winning goals.

Williams, who was called up to the Jamaican national team for their upcoming World Cup qualifiers, should still be available for an almost-full-strength Miami side, who lists only defender Luca Antonelli (questionable – leg) on their injury report.

The Hounds have no new faces on their injury report, with defender Jalen Robinson (lower body) still questionable and striker Albert Dikwa (groin) still out but working toward a possible late-October return.

Though center back Shane Wiedt was able to get his first goal with the Hounds in the last match, a 3-3 draw with Charleston on Sept. 25, the Hounds offense still centers around Russell Cicerone (14 goals, seven assists) and Alex Dixon (nine goal, seven assists). Each of those players has a shot to become the first in Hounds history to post a 10-goal, 10-assist season, while Cicerone needs just one goal to place his 2021 season as one of the five-best in club history for goals scored.

Jordan joined the Pittsburgh Soccer Now team in 2020 as a contributor to Riverhounds SC & WPIAL coverage. He also just obtained a MBA at Point Park University while being the Graduate Assistant in the Athletics department. Jordan, during his undergrad four years at La Roche University, interned and worked part time for every pro team and several universities in Pittsburgh: Riverhounds SC, Pirates, University of Pittsburgh, La Roche University, Duquesne University, Steelers and the Penguins. With all of these experiences he began to gain a passion to work in sports as a career. Smith played cup soccer for Century United and Beadling during his youth years and also trained with the Riverhounds. He attended South Fayette High School where he helped his team win WPIAL's and a section title his senior year in 2015, while earning All-Section and All-WPIAL honors.

Glory on the Grass

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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