Riverhounds Reaction: Resilient Hounds win epic penalty kick shootout

Photo courtesy Birmingham Legion FC

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC showed remarkable resiliency on the road, coming back twice in the run of play, and then eventually outlasting Birmingham Legion FC, 2-2 (8-7) in a penalty kick shootout that went 10 rounds.

Match Blog — FINAL: Riverhounds SC 2, Birmingham Legion FC 2 (Hounds win PK Shootout 8-7)

The heroes for the Hounds were Edward Kizza, who came on as a sub in the 89th minute, then scored the equalizer in the 90th minute, then provided the equalizer in extra time too, in the 114th minute, and goalkeeper Jahmail Waite, who made seven saves in the run of play, plus three more in the penalty kick shootout.

“We were resilient all night and battled, but we didn’t play our best. We struggled holding on to the ball. Jahmali had a good game and made some saves that kept us in it,” Head Coach Bob Lilley said.

With the win, the Hounds will now face Louisville City FC, on Saturday, at 7:30 p.m.

This was the Hounds first playoff win since 2019, when they also defeated the Legion FC, 7-0, at Highmark Stadium and the first road playoff win in a long time.

This remarkable match provided good cause for an emergency, solo edition of Riverhounds Reaction on Pittsburgh Sports Live, as I share more of my thoughts, analysis and reaction from one of the most exciting matches in club history.

RIVERHOUNDS REACTION ON PITTSBURGH SPORTS LIVE

 

TWITTER REACTION TO RIVERHOUNDS PLAYOFF WIN (#BHMvPIT)

Here’s how the winner by @edwardk_19 was received by the watch party crowd at @MikesBeerBar!#HOUNDTAHN pic.twitter.com/c7y3DYv5aw

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) October 24, 2022

That was absolute chaos and I loved it. Just wish we could have had GKs taking their respective PKs — just one away! USL, please, never change. Congrats to Coach Lilley and the Riverhounds; good luck in Louisville #BHMvPIT #USLPlayoffs

— Alex M. Fernández (@AMFernandez1906) October 24, 2022

That @RiverhoundsSC and was crazy! Late-goal heroics, not once, but twice, from Kizza. Lot of physical play without a lot of fouls. Ref bump leads to fourth official taking over. Not 5, but 10 penalty kicks. Who wins it for the Hounds? Kizza, of course! Whew! #BHMvPIT #HuntAsOne

— Jason S (@Jason617) October 24, 2022

Wow. 12 rounds of penalties. Two last minutes scores to tie it up in regular and extra time. Maybe not deserved, but what tremendous character from the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. #BHMvPIT https://t.co/5ZzehxT4y4

— Ryan Williams (@RyanSoccerAA) October 24, 2022

Big, big win for the Riverhounds. Playoffs, on the road, going down twice, penalties. Wow.

Really feel like this result exorcises the demons of how last season ended.#UNLEASH #BHMvPIT

— Dr. Matthew Brown (@brownamatthew) October 24, 2022

YESSSSS!!!! Upset the Neighbours, Woke up the kids and been Punched by the wife but it has been so so worth it…. GET IN!!!! C'MON YOU HOUNDS!!!!!! WOOF WOOF!!!! SEMI FINAL HERE WE COME!!! @SteelArmy #HOUNDTAHN #UNLEASH #HuntAsOne #UKRiverhound #Pittsburgh #Hounds

— Fez Seagrave (@fezseagrave) October 24, 2022

Riverhounds have more playoff wins in the last 5 years than the Steelers.

— AnimalsAreGreaterThanHumans (@rbpittsteel) October 24, 2022

Riverhounds put 10 in the net tonight.

— John Popović 💙⚽️🇭🇷 (@jmpopovich72) October 24, 2022

Here's how we got here, with @edwardk_19 completing the brace off the bench!#BHMvPIT #HOUNDTAHN #HuntAsOne pic.twitter.com/vc5U0YVnIa

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) October 24, 2022

It would have been exciting if both goalkeepers had started at the eleventh point… But it was also great entertainment, at the highest level, also because the Hounds scored the equalizer twice shortly before the end of the game… One of the best #USL games I've seen. #BHMvPIT

— Absurde_Existenz (@Wiesel_Flink) October 24, 2022

Well, that was something.

– 10,277 fans for a @bhmlegion club record
– Second-longest penalty shootout in @USLChampionship Playoffs history
– One of the most memorable substitute appearances you could imagine

Recapping #BHMvPIT in the #USLPlayoffs.https://t.co/BOWxKMuAcL

— Nicholas Murray (@NJEMurray) October 24, 2022

Soccer in Birmingham pitting the Legion against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. USL is a fantastic league and this match had all the energy and feels over extra time and PKs!! America – Soccer is coming!

— Alex M (@AlexMMurrain) October 24, 2022

Turned on Birmingham v. Riverhounds just for the penalties and boy was that bonkers

— Crabigail (@DaRiveter) October 24, 2022

Riverhounds have to build a Kizza statue after that match 🤯

— Donald (@dbruceLFC) October 24, 2022

Wow, go Pittsburgh Riverhounds! One of the best sporting matches I’ve seen this year. Am I the only person in the world who watched this one? #riverhounds #pittsburgh #usl

— Ryan (@EcstatikFanatik) October 24, 2022

 

MATCH HIGHLIGHTS