PITTSBURGH, Pa. (August 22, 2018) — The Tampa Bay Rowdies battled to a 1-1 draw against Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Highmark Stadium on Wednesday night.
After going down a goal in the final play of the first half, the Rowdies would find the equalizer in the 72nd minute through second-half substitute Junior Flemmings.
“It’s a valuable point, but only depending on what we do Saturday night at home versus FC Cincinnati,” said Rowdies head coach Neill Collins. “We had a chance in the second half and took it. I know our players put in the effort and they deserved to come out of here with at least a point. It’s a hard place to play and I think they did a great job.”
While the Rowdies had contained Pittsburgh in the first half, holding them to very few chances, they also weren’t able to produce much except for an early shot by forward Georgi Hristov in the seventh minute.
Prior to Pittsburgh’s goal, the home side almost went ahead forcing Vega to make a kick save off a Kenardo Forbes volley inside the box.
Despite looking like the Rowdies would head into the locker room tied 0-0, a goal on the last kick of the first half gave Pittsburgh the lead. Midfielder Mouhamed Dabo received a ball from forward Neco Brett and blasted it past goalkeeper Daniel Vega.
“I was frustrated for the boys after their first goal,” said Collins. “They had executed our game plan perfectly but then they go and score a very nice goal. I knew the second half would be tough since they’ve only given up two goals at home all season long.”
The second half was much like the first, with Pittsburgh pushing for their second goal of the night. With the home side holding possession, the Rowdies were forced to contain the incoming crosses and hopefully take advantage of the few chances they would have.
The Rowdies would get that chance in the 72nd minute.
Midfielder Martin Vingaard found a bouncing ball by the center circle and sent it up to the box hoping to find either Leon Taylor or Flemmings. To the Dane’s delight, Flemmings was there to control the ball and flick it past a sprawling Mike Kirk to level the match.
“We’re happy to get the point but we are hungry to get more on Saturday night,” said defender Papé Diakité. “We went down a goal but showed personality to not give up and fight for the tying goal.”
After the goal by Flemmings, the Rowdies continued to secure their own net as the clock approached 90 minutes. Pittsburgh would be unable to score the go-ahead goal, with the Rowdies heading home with a very valuable point.
Up next, the Rowdies are home against the league leaders FC Cincinnati, presented by Shorecrest. For tickets to Saturday’s match, call 727-222-2000 or click here.
Scoring Summary
Pittsburgh: Mouhamed Dabo – 45+2 minute (assisted by Neco Brett)
Tampa Bay: Junior Flemmings – 72nd minute (assisted by Martin Vingaard)
Caution Summary
Pittsburgh: Thomas Vancaeyezeele – 62nd minute
Rowdies: Daniel Vega – 93rd minute
Lineups
Rowdies XI (3-5-2): GK Daniel Vega; D Hunter Gorskie, Papé Diakité, Tarek Morad; M Afrim Taku, Joe Cole (c) (Sebastian Guenzatti 78′), Dom Oduro, Martin Vingaard, Leo Fernandes; F Georgi Hristov (Junior Flemmings 65′), Stefano Bonomo (Leon Taylor 24′)
Pittsburgh XI (3-4-2-1): GK Mike Kirk; D Joe Greenspan, Tobi Adewole, Thomas Vancaeyezeele; M Andrew Lubahn, Jordan Dover, Mouhamed Dabo, Christiano Francois, Kenardo Forbes, Ben Zemanski (Romeo Parkes 77′); F Neco Brett
