Connect with us

Pittsburgh Riverhounds

FINAL: Riverhounds SC 2, The Miami FC 2

Photo courtesy The Miami FC / USL Championship
USL Championship Eastern Conference

Riverhounds 2, Miami FC 2

Match Stats: USL Championship Match Center

Match Summary

In a match held up by a near three-hour weather delay, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC battled back from two separate deficits to draw The Miami FC, 2-2, at Ricardo Silva Stadium with the final whistle blowing past the midnight hour.

Alex Dixon and Russell Cicerone connected twice, with each picking up a goal and an assist to lead the Hounds in erasing two Miami leads. Junior Palacios and Adonijah Reid scored for Miami (5-4-4), which took a 2-1 lead to halftime.

The start of the match was delayed by 2 hours, 51 minutes as a result of lightning and severe storms passing through the Miami-Dade County area, but the match was finally able to begin just before 10 p.m.

First half

The Hounds should have had the game’s opening goal after Cicerone made a diagonal run into the box and was taken down by former Robert Morris University standout and Jamaican international Speedy Williams to win a penalty kick. Dixon stepped up to take the 17th-minute shot, but his attempt down the middle was stopped by Connor Sparrow, who held his ground rather than diving to a side.

Miami then got on the board in the 24th minute from their second corner kick of the game, as Palacios barreled into the box to meet Aedan Stanley’s delivery for his first professional goal.

The Hounds then got level in the 38th minute after Dane Kelly elevated to beat Sparrow to a high cross. Kelly’s header fell to Dixon, who ripped a shot that struck the body of Cicerone and deflected into the net.

Miami retook the lead in first-half stoppage time, however, as Joshua Pérez got behind the left side of the defense. Kevin Silva made the initial save, but Reid tapped the ball into the open net on the rebound.

Second half

The start of the second half also had a short delay of 15 minutes as the lights at Riccardo Silva Stadium switched off at 11 p.m., just as the players were retaking the field to resume play.

Once play resumed, it didn’t take long for the Hounds to pull level, as Dixon received a long, diagonal pass from Cicerone and went to work one-on-one on the left side. Dixon created space to shoot on his right foot and buried his third goal of the season in the 54th minute.

Dixon and the Hounds remained the more dangerous side after the goal, outshooting Miami by a 6-1 margin in the second half (14-10 for the match).

Kelly had two chances in stoppage time for a winner, the first on a header that went just over the bar, and the second after tracking down a long ball and exhaustedly releasing a shot that was deflected out for a corner.

The Hound return to Highmark Stadium on Saturday for a home match vs Detroit City FC.

Look for a more detailed recap to follow. 

LIve Match Updates:

FINAL:  PITTSBURGH 2, MIAMI 2

Despite having more chances in the late going, the Hounds can’t get the game-winner, and have to settle for a 2-2 draw on the road on a very long night.

Past the midnight hour, and the Hounds have five minutes of stoppage time to get the go-ahead goal. They’ve been on the front foot for much of the latter stages of the 2nd half.

90 — FIVE MINS of stoppage time added

79′ — HOUNDS SUBS –

IN: Albert Dikwa, Toby Sims ‘

OUT: Russell Cicerone, Nate Dossantos

70′ – Forbes with a great pass toward Kelly, but Palacios makes an excellent tackle to prevent Dane from getting through on goal.

68′ – Miami makes its third change with a striker switch; Kyle Murphy on for Romeo Parkes.

67′ – Luis Argudo goes into the book for a tactical foul to break up a Miami counter at midfield. Two cards to each side thus far.

64’ – Two Miami changes. Akinyode and Sorto in for the hosts, Bah and Reid are the players coming off in the 2-2 game.

55′ — HOUNDS SUB: Luis Argudo enters the match, replacing Dani Rovira.

54′ — PITTSBURGH 2, MIAMI 2

Dixon scores.

Terrific diagnonal ball from Russ Cicerone finding Dixon on left side.

11:20 — (46′) — the second half has kicked off…

11:10 pm — A slight delay again — as the lights went out at Ricardo Silva Stadium.

HALF – MIAMI 2, PITTSBURGH 1

Hounds with eight shots, just one on frame.  Miami with 9/3.

Hounds hold possession edge (56/44).

 

45+2′ — GOAL — MIAMI 2, PITTSBURGH 1

Hounds exposed to a speedy counter attack — giving up way too much space which leads to Adonijah Reid having a clinical finish from rebound. Miami back up 2-1 late in 1st half.

Perez gets in behind the Hounds defense. Silva makes the save on his initial shot, but Adonijah Reid taps the rebound home.

37′ — GOAL – PITTSBURGH 1, MIAMI 1

They’re crediting it to Russell Cicerone, thought DIxon’s the one that fired the shot back into the goal box.

24′ — GOAL – MIAMI 1, PITTSBURGH 0

Junior Palacios header from very close range to the top right corner. Assisted by Aedan Stanley with a cross following a corner.

22′ – Free kick to Miami just on the edge of the box, about 2 yards in from the left corner.

17′ — PK attempt SAVED by Miami’s GK Connor Sparrow!

17′ — PENALTY!! Cicerone tripped up in box!  Dixon pass from left side to Cicerone, but he’s tripped by Devon ‘Speedy’ Williams who also picks up a yellow card.

11′ – Perez (MIA) gets forward with shot that forces Silva to make save to his right.

8′ – Free kick for Miami from the left side, and Parkes heads it firmly but over the bar.

9:57 p.m. — KICKOFF AFTER THREE HOUR DELAY

9:40 p.m.

8:30 p.m.

7:15 p.m. –

7:09 p.m. — The start of the match has been delayed due to severe weather in South Florida.

7 pm — Starting Lineups

Lineup Notes:

After Jahmali Waite got the start for Hounds last week, they’re back to having Kevin Silva in goal.

One former Hound, Romeo Parkes in the lineup for The Miami FC, along with former Robert Morris University and Jamaican international Devon ‘Speedy’ Williams.

Related Topics

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).

Subscribe to PGH Soccer Now

Enter your email address to subscribe to PGH Soccer Now and receive notifications of new posts by email.

Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

PSN’s Featured Community Partner: Open Field International

More in Pittsburgh Riverhounds