PITTSBURGH (May 7, 2016) – In a playoff rematch from last year, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (0-3-3) squared off against the New York Red Bulls II (4-1-2), falling to their opposition at home, 1-3. Donning pink for breast cancer awareness, the Hounds could not overcome a second half flurry from New York that resulted in two goals.
Romeo Parkes drew the lone goal for the Hounds, and Anatole Abang, Stefano Bonomo and Derrick Etienne each had a tally for the Red Bulls II.
The first half saw the clubs draw even, as Parkes opened up scoring in the 10th minute with an impressive individual effort to beat New York goalkeeper Kyle Reynish on the left. Jockeying for position amidst two Red Bull defenders in the box, Parkes’ effort made it goals in five-straight for the Jamaican.
Pittsburgh’s lead was short lived though, as Abang headed a desperate cross from the left side of the box only moments after in the 12th minute. New York’s equalizer just went over the outstretched hands of goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap.
From there, both teams traded possession with Pittsburgh seeking Parkes, lined up alongside Corey Hertzog at the forward position, with long balls to the left side. The Hounds though could not crack the Red Bulls’ defense, while New York’s Brandon Allen kept active for the Bulls on the offensive end. His chance at the 39th minute was the closest New York came to taking the lead in the first 40, as he was able to find his way past Gilstrap for a shot. Allen’s chance though, from on odd angle in the left side of the box, did not find the net, rather hitting the outside of the left post.
Entering the second half, the Hounds dominated possession for the better part of the first 20 minutes of action. Like their sustained bouts of possessions in the first half though, no goals would result. Marshall Hollingsworth, playing left back, connected with Kevin Kerr on a beautiful cross from the left side of the box in the 50th minute, but Kerr’s header, while flush, was blocked before reaching net.
After weathering the Pittsburgh storm, the Red Bulls would eventually cash in, first a goal from Bonomo in the 73rdminute then the insurance from Etienne in the 83rd minute. Etienne’s goal, in particular, involved some impressive play from New York, as Justin Bilyeu sent a cross from deep in the right corner that found Etienne’s foot for the third goal of the match.
The conclusion of the match was marred by fighting from both sides, after a late challenge by New York’s Tyler Adams on Willie Hunt resulted in a caution in the 83rd minute. On the ensuing set piece, tempers flared with both Parkes and Karl Ouimette being sent off with red cards. New York’s Ouimette was injured during the scuffle and had to be stretchered off the field. After everything had settled, the match saw eight minutes of stoppage time added.
Pittsburgh continues its season on the road, facing FC Cincinnati (4-2-2) for the first meeting between the two teams of the season. Kickoff is set for 4 p.m. on Saturday, May 14.
Line-ups:
Riverhounds – Hunter Gilstrap – Marshall Hollingsworth, Willie Hunt, Sergio Campbell, Isaiah Schafer (Ben Swanson 84’) – Lebo Moloto, Kevin Kerr, Mike Green (Stephen Okai 45’ (Conor Branson 84’)), Drew Russell – Romeo Parkes, Corey Hertzog (Zak Boggs 73’)
Subs not used: Brenden Alfery, Jordan Murrell, Ryan Dodson
New York Red Bulls II – Kyle Reynish – Konrad Plewa (Noah Powder 25’), Karl Ouimette, Gideon Baah (Aaron Long 67’), Justin Bilyeu – Devon Williams (Dan Metzger), Tyler Adams, Derrick Etienne, Junior Flemmings – Brandon Allen (Chekih M’Baye), Anatole Abang (Stefano Bonomo 59′)
Subs not used: Rafael Diaz, Simpara Zoumana
Officials:
Referee: Marco Vega – Assistants: Lucas Feathers, Christopher Farver – Fourth Official: Alfonso Fajardo
Scoring Summary:
PGH – Romeo Parkes 10’
NY – Anatole Abang 12’
NY – Stefano Bonomo 73’
NY – Derrick Etienne 83’ (Justin Bilyeu)
Misconduct Summary:
PGH – Lebo Moloto (caution) 21’
NY – Tyler Adams (caution) 83’
PGH – Romeo Parkes (red card)
NY – Karl Ouimette (red card)
Cleveland Brothers “Blue Collar Player of the Game” – Marshall Hollingsworth
Post-Game Quote Sheet
Mark Steffens:
In regards to the Romeo Parkes incident…
[The Romeo Incident] I don’t really know what happened in there besides the referee giving them both red cards and then it looked like Romeo retaliated. It’s an unfortunate situation and it’s embarrassing for the organization and for myself, the coaching staff, and for everybody. I think it will be dealt with by the USL and us as well on top of that.
Kevin Kerr:
On tonight’s performance…
I thought the first hour was actually really good. We did not try to over complicate it, we know the situation we’re in, we have to grind out our first win it doesn’t need to be pretty, but with every week that goes by it gets bigger and bigger.
It’s a long season, we’re all going to make mistakes. It would be great if one of us on the field could step up and put that right.
On playing at home…
When things are going well you can’t wait to play at home and put on a good performance for the fans. When the pressures on, you’re down at the bottom and people are desperate for a win sometimes home games are harder. When you go away the pressure can go away and you can worry about your eleven on the field.
The fans again were unbelievable, we were expecting rainstorms and still had a good turnout. I didn’t hear them stop singing, so credit to them and we’ve got to give a performance on the field to match that.