The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (0-0-3) played to a 1-1 draw against the visiting Richmond Kickers (1-1-2) on Sunday afternoon at Chartiers Valley Stadium. Despite a persistent rain, 658 fans watched the ‘Tale of Two Halves’ unfold.
During the first half, Pittsburgh controlled the possession and the tempo throughout. In the 13th minute, Matt Baker received a diagonal pass from Adam Gazda and played a low-driven ball into the penalty area. Baker’s cross deflected off a Richmond defender and ricocheted just inside the near post for an own goal.
The Hounds were dangerous down both flanks throughout the first half, and in the 41st minute had crosses from Chad Severs and Tommy Gray giving the home team multiple threatening chances.
Trailing 1-0 at the half, Richmond inserted three subs (David Hertel, Mike Burke, and Jon Villenueva) to improve their attack. The Kickers time of possession and quality opportunities in the Riverhounds’ defensive half increased immediately.
In the 72nd and 77th minutes, Richmond used multiple combinations down the left side to threaten inside the Hounds penalty area but the Hounds were able to handle the challenges without allowing their ‘keeper and his goal to be threatened. Both forays into the Pittsburgh box resulted in corners that proved to be nothing more than a restart.
In the 82nd minute Pittsburgh was unable to take advantage of a handling call against Pascale just outside his penalty area to the left of his goal. Pascale used his hand to subtly prevent the ball from going over the end line for a goal kick but his effort was detected by the AR who was only a few yards away. Tommy Gray’s back post service was deflected by the wall and allowed for a Richmond counter.
In extra time, the Kickers played two direct balls into their target forward, Matthew Delicate. The first was headed out by a Riverhounds defender while the second found Delicate alone at the penalty spot. Delicate flicked the ball first time with his head and tucked it under the crossbar. Riverhounds goalkeeper, Hunter Gilstrap put a hand on the flick but was unable to push it over the bar.
The Riverhounds have off next weekend; they travel south for a back-to-back road trip the following weekend to play Charlotte on May 14th and Charleston on May 15th.
The Kickers return home to University of Richmond Stadium next Saturday, May 8th to compete against the Real Maryland Monarchs, kick-off is set for 7:00 p.m.
