Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Rowdies roar back with pair of second half goals to end Riverhounds unbeaten streak

by
John Krysinsky
September 14, 2024

FINAL: Tampa Bay Rowdies 2, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1,

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds put themselves in position early to come away with three points, but surrendered a pair of second half goals to lose its first match since early July, as the Tampa Bay Rowdies rallied for a 2-1 win at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg on Saturday night.

The loss is a costly one for the Hounds, who now sit behind the playoff line.

Pittsburgh took the lead late in the first half on the strength of Jackson Walti’s strike from the top of the box. Tampa Bay responded with second half goals from Manuel Arteaga and Leo Fernandes. The latter coming at the start of stoppage time — making that another dubious stoppage time goal that Pittsburgh has allowed this season.

With the loss, Pittsburgh (35 points) drops behind the playoff line and currently sit in 9th place in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference standings, two points behind Rhode Island FC and Loudoun United FC (37 points). Rhode Island dropped a 1-0 result at Orange County SC late Saturday.

Pittsburgh (8w-10l-11d) will be off next week, and are at a disadvantage as they have five matches remaining to get back over the playoff line, while Rhode Island has six left and Loudoun has seven.

How It Happened

The Hounds nearly pulled ahead just six minutes into the match when Junior Etou got around the corner and drew goalkeeper Jordan Farr off the line before slipping a pass in front to Robbie Mertz, but Mertz couldn’t get clean contact on the ball to put a shot on net.

Thought he Rowdies had a little more possession, the Hounds were able to keep them from threatening much in the first half, and a curling shot midway through the half by Eddie Munjoma forced the only first-half save by Hounds goalie Eric Dick.

Late in the first half, the Hounds struck gold, as Jackson Walti had just enough room to drive a low shot from the top of the box inside the left post the give the Hounds a 1-0 lead. Following Hounds’ build-up, Walti was fed a short pass from the right edge from his one-time college teammate, Bertin Jacquesson.

Jackson Walti finds the bottom corner to put @RiverhoundsSC ahead in St. Pete! 🏹 pic.twitter.com/Lzap4V1XPX

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) September 15, 2024

The first half played out as expected, with both teams having some chances in a fairly even match in terms of possession, while each defensive shape limited the action to seven overall shots between the two teams (4-3, 2-1 on frame edge for Pittsburgh)

The Hounds’ lineup saw the return of Junior Etou and Langston Blackstock to the starting eleven, as they stayed in a 3-4-2-1 formation, with Robbie Mertz at the top center, working between Edward Kizza and Bertin Jacquesson.

Tampa Bay made one halftime substitution, brining Fernandes into the contest, and he would be a difference maker.

The Rowdies attack looked more dangerous working through Fernandes, and he helped create an early chance for Arteaga that was blocked away by Luke Biasi at the final moment. The Hounds, meanwhile, continued to find chances on the counter, but did not put a shot on target after the interval.

In the second half, Pittsburgh also started to sit back deeper in defensive formation, while Tampa Bay took more possession and added more pressure on goal, with four shots on frame.

The home side’s efforts paid off in the 71st minute when Manuel Arteaga made a run to the near post as his teammate Cam Jennings sent a low cross his way. The Rowdies forward then used a clever back heel to redirect the ball past Hound goalkeeper Erik Dick.

Are you kidding, @ManuelArteaga7? 😱

What a finish to bring the @TampaBayRowdies level! pic.twitter.com/m9b7jq4Mra

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) September 15, 2024

Pittsburgh struggled to create another shot on frame (both came in the first half) while Tampa continued to mount more opportunities.

The Rowdies capped the comeback when veteran forward Leo Fernandes converted a second effort chance from straightaway that took a few deflections.

Fernandes attempted his original shot from the top of the box, and it was blocked by Hounds defender Illal Osumanu, but the ball trickled right back into Fernandes’ path. The second chance attempt left Dick with little chance to react for a save due to change in direction of the shot.

LEO IN STOPPAGE TIME ⌛️@Leofernandes_11's second goal in two matches gives the @TampaBayRowdies the lead! pic.twitter.com/oZQnhH2piG

— USL Championship (@USLChampionship) September 15, 2024

Riverhounds SC lineup (5-2-3) — Eric Dick; Junior Etou (Bradley Sample 72’), Luke Biasi, Illal Osumanu, Sean Suber, Langston Blackstock (Dani Rovira 90’); Jackson Walti, Danny Griffin; Robbie Mertz (Babacar Diene 90’), Edward Kizza (Kenardo Forbes 84’), Bertin Jacquesson (Emmanuel Johnson 72’)

Tampa Bay Rowdies lineup (3-5-2) — Jordan Farr; Jordan Doherty, Freddy Kleemann, Zane Bubb (Nathan Worth 62’); Blake Bodily, Lewis Hilton, Ben Bender (Leo Fernandes 46’), Eddie Munjoma, Joshua Pérez (Damian Rivera 62’); Manuel Arteaga (Endri Mustali 84’), Cal Jennings (Cristian Ortiz 90+6’)

Scoring summary

PIT — Jackson Walti 43’ (Bertin Jacquesson)
TBR — Manuel Arteaga 71’ (Cal Jennings)
TBR — Leo Fernandes 90+1’

Discipline summary

TBR — Eddie Munjoma 45+2’ (caution – tactical foul)
TBR — Blake Bodily 53’ (caution – tactical foul)
TBR — Zane Bubb 56’ (caution – tactical foul)
PIT — Edward Kizza 67’ (caution – reckless foul)
TBR — Leo Fernandes 76’ (caution – dissent)

USL Standings at conclusion of match

Related Topicsfeatured Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Tampa Bay Rowdies USL Championship

John Krysinsky

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).