Phoenix Earns Point In Draw Against Pittsburgh Riverhounds
May 3, 2013 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Phoenix FC News Release
Tempe, Ariz. - Donny Toia's 11th minute wonder-strike from 25 yards was Phoenix FC's only goal, but it held up in a 1-1 draw with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds Friday night at Sun Devil Soccer Stadium.
It was Toia's first goal of the season as Phoenix FC has earned eight standings points through seven matches with a 2-3-2 record.
The Wolves got Andrew Weber back in goal and Renan Boufleur at center back from red-card suspensions the previous week. Weber saved five shots but couldn't stop a deflection in the 79th minute that ended up being a goal for the Riverhounds' Andrew Marshall.
Toia, who had played outside defender in recent matches, was moved up to attacker in Friday's match but was all over the pitch, creating scoring chances and playing back to defend runs.
The 40th minute saw Weber make a fully-extended kick save of a shot by Pittsburgh's Jhonny Arteaga.
Hunter Gilstrap stopped six shots for the Riverhounds.
With the game tied in the late minutes, Phoenix FC pushed forward trying to net the winner. Midfielder Diego Faria had a shot in the 87th minute after a run from Anthony Obodai but couldn't get it through.
Cameron Vickers, who came on as a late substitute, had a shot go just wide in extra time of the second half.
Phoenix FC heads east for its next two matches, next Thursday at Pittsburgh in the return match and May 11 against the Dayton Dutch Lions. Then the club goes down Interstate 10 to face FC Tucson in the Wolves' inaugural U.S. Open Cup match.
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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 3, 2013
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