Miami, Fla. (Saturday, May 28) – The Miami Football Club drew 2-2 against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at FIU Stadium on Saturday night. Players endured a two-hour and 57-minute weather delay, starting the game at 9:57 p.m. ET instead of its intended time – 7 p.m. ET.
Starting XI vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Manager Anthony pulis decided to stick with the 3-4-3 used in the previous two matches. The only modification came in the shape of defender Aedan Stanley starting over Italy’s Luca Antonelli.
First half Breakdown
Miami FC crafted the first attacking effort of the game from a set-piece in the 8th minute. Romeo Parkes headed a ball crossed by defender Aedan Stanley over the bar.
The referee pointed to Miami’s penalty spot in the 16th minute of the encounter after captain Devon “Speedy” Williams took down forward Russell Cicerone in the box. The Reggae Boy received a yellow card for the challenge.
Goalkeeper Connor Sparrow read a panenka attempt from midfielder Hugh Alexander Dixon, staying in the middle of his goal and calmly collecting the dinked shot. The penalty save is Sparrow’s first this year.
MFC responded with a promising attempt at goal from range by center-back Junior Palacios in the 22nd minute. The 25-year-old launched a second-post shot from outside of the box that struck against the left upright and back into play.
The Colombian international avenged his missed opportunity two minutes later, opening the scoring with a headed attempt from a cross sent by Stanley in a corner kick. The goal marked Palacio’s first USL Championship goal, and Stanley’s first goal contribution of the season.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds equalized in the 38th minute. Dixon blasted a ball onto Cicerone and ricocheted into the goal after a scramble inside Miami’s box.
Forward Adonijah Reid took back the lead in added time before the end of the first half. The Canadian picked up the scraps left by goalkeeper Kevin Silva, who had just saved a shot from winger Josh Perez. The goal is his second of the season, with the other one coming in added time as well against Detroit City FC.
Second Half Breakedown
Halftime consisted of 35 minutes instead of the regular 15 due to a light delay. The second 45 minutes kicked off at 11:20 p.m. ET.
Dixon scored a leveler in the 54th minute. The 32-year-old dribbled into the box and curled a shot around Sparrow.
The match ended in a 2-2 draw, making it consecutive one-point nights for Miami at home.
Miami FC 2-2 Pittsburgh Riverhounds: Game Notes
Palacios netted his first USL Championship goal in 36 appearances. The Colombian walked onto the team ahead of the 2021 season
Reid scored his second goal of the season. The 22-year-old continued his good run of form, contributing to four goals in Miami’s last three games.
Miami FC has not conceded more than two goals this season in a single match.
Up Next for Miami FC
Miami FC will travel to Oklahoma to go toe-to-toe with FC Tulsa. The game will take place at ONEOK Field, and kickoff is slated for 8:30 p.m. ET.
Tulsa is coming off a 4-1 away loss against Eastern Conference leaders Louisville City FC on Saturday. The Oklahoma side finds itself in ninth place in the Eastern Conference table, with 12 points after 12 matches.
