Pittsburgh, Pa. (Saturday, July 9) – The Miami Football Club fell to Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Highmark Stadium on Saturday night 4-1. The result leaves Miami sitting in seventh place in the Eastern Conference table.
Starting XI vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Head coach Anthony Pulis liked what he saw on the pitch last weekend against Indy Eleven. Therefore, he deployed the same exact starting lineup. The only modification came in a positional change, with El Salvador’s Joaquín Rivas swapping wings with Jamaican international Lamar Walker.
Forwards Christian Sorto and Romeo Parkes traveled with the team this time around.
Match Breakdown
The home side made their presence known from the first kick of the game until the last. Despite not holding on to much possession – 45% by the end of the fixture – the Hounds produced 15 shots to Miami’s eight and eight on target compared to MFC’s two.
The Orange and Blue conceded a goal in the 14th minute to the Hounds. Goalkeeper Connor Sparrow and captain Paco Craig worked together defensively to stop Pittsburgh from doubling its lead in the 39th minute. In detail, Sparrow came up with a one-on-one save and Craig made a goalline clearance to assist his goalkeeper.
It was not until the 44th minute that Miami found its first clear chance in front of the goal. Sparrow launched a long ball up the pitch, beating defenders and into the path of forward Kyle Murphy. However, the American striker missed wide.
Miami FC’s hopes to turn things around in the second half were slammed by a set-piece goal in the opening five minutes of play. The home team continued attacking and Miami defended. Nonetheless, Pittsburgh Riverhounds netted two goals to make it 4-0.
Center-back Callum Chapman-Page got a goal back for Miami in stoppage time to cut down the difference to three goals and bring at least a goal back to South Florida.
Match Notes
- Chapman-Page scored his first goal of the campaign. The center-back last scored a year and one day ago in a 2-1 win over rivals Tampa Bay Rowdies.
- Miami FC conceded four goals for the first time since June 6, 2021. The match saw the Orange and Blue fall to RGV Toros 4-2.
Up Next for Miami FC
Miami FC resumes league action on Wednesday, July 13, against Charleston Battery. The Orange and Blue look to claim their second win against the Battery this season, winning the last outing 4-0 at Patriot’s Point.
You can buy tickets for the match against Charleston HERE.
