PITTSBURGH (March 24, 2023) — Burke Fahling scored a blistering left-footed half-volley in the 85th minute to secure a point for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC with a 1-1 draw tonight against Miami FC in the 2023 home opener at Highmark Stadium.
Fahling’s goal, his first since signing with the Hounds (1-0-2) as a free agent before the season, came near the end of a match in which the Hounds held 59 percent of possession and outshot the visitors, 11-3.
Miami (0-1-2) took the lead in the 23rd minute when Kyle Murphy put in the rebound of his own shot saved by Hounds goalkeeper Christian Garner, making his first professional start.
First half
The Hounds came out holding more of possession from the early stages. Chances were scarce, however, and in some physical moments, both Edward Kizza and Arturo Ordóñez picked up yellow cards in the game’s first 30 minutes.
Miami was first on the board, somewhat against the run of play, when Ben Mines ran onto a ball flicked through the midfield. Mines was fouled by Ordóñez, but advantage was played as Murphy ran through to keep the ball. His initial shot was saved, but he outmuscled Dani Rovira to score on the second opportunity.
The Hounds continued to press forward, with the best chances coming on a pair of balls served into the penalty area by Robbie Mertz, but the Hounds ended the first half without a shot on goal.
Second half
Traffic continued to flow in the Hounds’ direction after halftime, but apart from a scuffle in the Miami box after Ordóñez hit the deck, the scoring chances didn’t come until the Hounds turned to their bench.
Joe Farrell, one of the Hounds’ substitutes, came close with a chance from the top of the box in the 84th minute, but a sliding Miami block sent the ball away for a corner kick.
From that corner kick by Mertz, Miami was unable to clear the ball away fully. That allowed Fahling, another of the substitutes, to step up and stab a powerfully hit shot into the top left corner of the net while striding over the 18-yard line atop the box.
The Hounds nearly stole the win after Fahling’s wonder goal, as Farrell tried his own luck on a volley. The defender’s effort was on target, but Miami goalkeeper Adrían Zendejas made an excellent diving stop to ensure the points were shared.
Heineken Man of the Match
Burke Fahling endeared himself to the Pittsburgh crowd with his work rate and defensive effort through preseason and in the first two matches, but his highlight reel goal was what earned the honor to cap a 23-minute shift off the bench.
What’s next?
The Hounds face their first short turnaround of the season with a road match Tuesday, March 28 at 8 p.m. against FC Tulsa (0-1-1). Tulsa — which played Miami to a draw in their season opener — will also be on short rest with a home game tomorrow against Loudoun United FC.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC lineup (4-2-3-1) — Christian Garner; Nate Dossantos (Burke Fahling 67’), Patrick Hogan, Arturo Ordóñez, Dani Rovira (Langston Blackstock 77’); Kenardo Forbes (Tony Lopez 66’), Junior Etou (Joe Farrell 77’); Marc Ybarra, Robbie Mertz, Albert Dikwa; Edward Kizza (Tola Showunmi 66’)
Miami FC lineup (5-3-2) — Adrían Zendejas; Paco Craig, Callum Chapman-Page, Curtis Thorn, Aedan Stanley, Moisés Hernandez; Bolu Akinyode, Florian Valot, Ben Mines (Mark Segbers 72’); Kyle Murphy (Benjamin Ofeimu 80’), Christian Sorto (Joaquin Rivas 72’)
Scoring summary
MIA — Kyle Murphy 23’
PIT — Burke Fahling 85’
Discipline summary
PIT — Edward Kizza 11’ (caution – reckless foul)
PIT — Arturo Ordóñez 27’ (caution – reckless foul)
MIA — Benjamin Ofeimu 84’ (caution – reckless foul)
MIA — Callum Chapman-Page 89’ (caution – dissent)
