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Riverhounds suffer heartbreak equalizer in draw with Switchbacks

File photo courtesy Ed Thompson

FINAL: Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2-2 Colorado Springs Switchbacks

Hounds concede equalizer in dying moments after own stoppage-time goal

After a half-hour rain and lightning delay, the Riverhounds took to the field against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks in front of a still-strong 4,332 on Saturday night – battling to an even 2-2 draw against their Western Conference foes.

Once we finally got started the Hounds wasted no time in going on the attack. The first meaningful chance of the game would be generated just shy of the ten-minute mark and would go the host’s way. Langston Blackstock would work himself free along the right wing, bringing the ball to the byline before cutting it back centrally. He would find Bradley Sample, who did well to uncork a shot on-target, but the tall Christian Herrera in goal for the Switchbacks would get up to parry it over the crossbar.

The Hounds would continue to generate pressure, particularly down the right wing via Blackstock and some wide interplay from Robbie Mertz. Despite several early corners, the lack of height on-field for the Hounds – with only two true centerbacks on field – made converting their set piece chances difficult and left the door open.

The Switchbacks would take advantage off an unforced Hounds error in the 13th minute. An errant pass from Edward Kizza turned the ball over in the Hounds’ defensive third, and the visitors were quick to pounce. An initial run and shot from Matt Real was saved in net by Eric Dick, but the rebound was bumbled into the back of the net by midfielder Tyreek Magee to give the Switchbacks the early 1-0 lead.

The Hounds would continue to press and generate corners and set piece chances – with most of their strongest offensive play continuing down the right flank. Another good opportunity would come in the 20th minute, as Illal Osumanu played a great line-breaking pass from midfield all the way into the box to Emmanuel Johnson. The Hounds forward would lay it wide to Robbie Mertz, who’s cross would find Johnson’s compatriot, Edward Kizza, but his impressive backheel effort was too close to Herrera and was saved.

The Hounds would be unable to convert any of their additional chances in the latter portions of the first half – but would pick up a yellow card due to a bad Emmanuel Johnson foul. The two sides would play out the final minutes following that input from the referee, and would return to their locker rooms with the score remaining 0-1 in favor of the Switchbacks.

After what was likely some strong words during the break, and a pair of halftime substitutions, the Hounds came out hungry in the second half. Kazaiah Sterling and Kenardo Forbes entered the game at half, replacing Edward Kizza and Robbie Mertz, lending some more offensive-minded play to the Hounds eleven on the field.

That would pay off within the early minutes of the second half. As the Hounds continued to generate pressure, they’d earn another corner in the 53rd minute – and while they wouldn’t convert directly from the set piece, they’d find their chance. An initial blocked shot from Danny Griffin found the feet of Jackson Walti, who’s initial shot was also blocked, but right back to him and he’d fire the second chance home into the top-right corner – the first goal of his professional career.

The Hounds would continue to pile on the pressure, drawing a yellow card from the Switchbacks’ Juan Tejada en route to several more free kicks and corners. Both sides would make the majority of their subs later in the half, each seeking a winner late. The Hounds would generally have the better of things, with Eric Dick and the defense largely left to their own devices without much incoming threat.

That would all change in the final moments of regulation and stoppage time. First it would be the Switchbacks generating a chance. After several shots pinged off defenders within the 18-yard-box, the Switchbacks would get a cross in from the right wing and find the head of Justin Dhillon. He would re-direct the ball on-target and low, but Eric Dick was able to get down to make the crucial save.

The Hounds would respond immediately. After subbing on Pat Hogan prior to a free kick, Bradley Sample lined up to direct the effort into the box. His ball found Sean Suber, who was able to re-direct it beyond Herrera into the back of the net to give the Hounds the lead, 2-1, in stoppage time.

The joy was short-lasting however, with the Switchbacks not done fighting yet. The visitors would get a dead ball situation with a deep throw-in and the Hounds pinned back. Taken short, the ensuing cross went to the far post where Delentz Pierre was able to rise up and direct a powerful header back across goal, beyond Dick, and into the back of the net to unbelievably equalize.

The final whistle would blow moments later, with a sense of heartbreak pervasive over the Highmark crowd. The latest gut punch to the Hounds season hurts arguably the most, with a potential massive win snatched from their hands at the final moment.

Making matters worse, Pittsburgh saw all teams they’re trying to chase down pick up points, as Rhode Island equalized late on former Hound Albert Dikwa’s header, Loudoun United FC defeated Tampa Bay and Detroit took three points from Birmingham.

Next up, the Hounds will now be on the road for a pair of matches at Birmingham (Saturday, August 24) and at Indy Eleven (Saturday, August 31).

Match Events

Pittsburgh Riverhounds Lineup: Eric Dick (GK), Danny Griffin, Sean Suber, Langston Blackstock, Junior Etou, Emmanuel Johnson, Robbie Mertz, Bradley Sample, Edward Kizza, Illal Osumanu, Jackson Walti

Bench: Pat Hogan, Dani Rovira, Kenardo Forbes, Luke Biasi, Babacar Diene, Jacob Randolph, Kazaiah Sterling, Pablo Linzoain

Colorado Springs Switchbacks Lineup: Christian Herrera (GK), Duke Lacroix, Delentz Pierre, Matt Mahoney, Matt Real, Koa Santos, Speedy Williams, Aidan Rocha, Tyreek Magee, Juan Tejada, Ronaldo Damus

Bench: Jonas Fjeldberg, Zach Zandi, Jairo Henriquez, Marco Rios, Alex Andersson, Justin Dhillon, Maalique Foster

Key moments: 

1′ – The players take to the field here at Highmark Stadium after a half hour delay to kickoff, Hounds in their home black and yellows, Switchbacks in their road whites. It’s a rainy night on the Mon, but nonetheless we are off!

8′ – A good cutback from the right wing byline finds an onrushing Bradley Sample, who’s on-target shot is parried over the crossbar by Herrera. The ensuing corner is wasted.

11′ – Another corner for the Hounds after some solid interplay around the box, Blackstock’s cross blocked. Taken short and cleared away for the moment.

13′ – Goal, Colorado Springs. A giveaway from Kizza leads to a shot on-target, which Dick saves, but the rebound is put in the back of the net by Tyreek Magee. Visitors lead 1-0.

20′ – Wonderful line-breaking pass from Osumanu up to Johnson. He lays it off to Mertz out wide, and he fires it back centrally to Kizza, who’s backheel attempt is on-target but saved.

28′ – Good cross from Blackstock into the area, but a really nice, vital interception from the Switchbacks defender in front of Kizza.

40′ – Yellow card issued to Emmanuel Johnson for the Hounds as we approach half. Lilley will surely have words for his squad at the break.

43′ – Another attack down the right wing for the Hounds, Blackstock once again cuts it back centrally and this time Robbie Mertz blasts it, but wide right.

45+’ – One last corner before half. Mertz takes into a crowded six-yard box, but to no avail. The halftime whistle blows and we enter the break with the Hounds down 0-1.

Halftime – Riverhounds 0-1 Switchbacks

46′ – Some halftime subs for the Hounds after a displeasing first half: On come Kenardo Forbes and Kazaiah Sterling. Off go Robbie Mertz and Edward Kizza.

53′ – GOAL, RIVERHOUNDS! Jackson Walti finds the back of the net after an extended sequence of pressure, getting his own rebound and finishing it off! We are level at 1-1!

61′ – Hound substitution, their third of the game: On comes Babacar Diene in place of Emmanuel Johnson.

62′ – First sub for Colorado Springs: On comes Zach Zandi to replace goal-scorer Tyreek Magee.

69′ – A yellow card issued to Colorado Springs’ Juan Tejada for a foul behind the play against Bradley Sample.

72′ – Second sub of the night for the Switchbacks: Jonas Fjeldberg on to replace Aidan Rocha.

78′ – Subs for both sides: The Hounds bring on Luke Biasi for Langston Blackstock. The Switchbacks bring on Justin Dhillon and Jairo Henriquez in place of Juan Tejada and Ronaldo Damus.

79′ – Yellow card issued to Fjeldberg after moments on the pitch for the Switchbacks. Dangerous free kick incoming for the Hounds.

88′ – Yellow card to Switchbacks defender Koa Santos.

90′ – Dangerous play from the Switchbacks with numerous blocked shots inside the 18. Ultimately a cross in from the right wing finds the head of Dhillon, but his on-target effort is saved by Eric Dick.

90′ – Final Hounds sub of the night: Pat Hogan enters the game for Jackson Walti.

90′ – GOAL RIVERHOUNDS! A set piece opportunity, driven in by Bradley Sample into the head of Sean Suber who bangs it home! The Hounds seize the lead, 2-1!

90′ – A post-goal yellow card to Switchbacks GK Herrera for dissent.

90′ – Goal, Switchbacks. Unbelievable. The Hounds concede. After a throw-in deep for the Switchbacks, a cross is directed to the far post, where Delentz Pierre rose up to direct it back across goal and into the back of the net. 2-2.

Fulltime: Riverhounds 2-2 Switchbacks

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