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USL Richmond Kickers

Kickers Battle Pittsburgh to 1-1 Draw

May 16, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release


PITTSBURGH, PA - The Richmond Kickers battled the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to a 1-1 draw on the road Saturday night. The Kickers gained a first half advantage when Brian Ownby capitalized on a defensive mistake, but conceded the equalizer to Anthony Arena early in the second half to carry one point into next week's rematch at City Stadium.

The Riverhounds tested the Kickers defense early when midfielder Kevin Kerr got on the end of a long ball at the right edge of the box and volleyed it to Vini Dantas stationed at the top of the 18. The Pittsburgh forward teed up a shot but it ricocheted back to Stephen Okai who blasted a follow up shot from distance that was deflected over the end line inside the first 15 minutes.

Withstanding the early pressure, the Kickers responded with the opening goal less than 10 minutes later. Goalkeeper Ryan Taylor launched a clearance deep into Riverhounds territory. Anthony Arena intercepted and nodded the ball wide to Tyler Pasher at the right touchline who controlled it and played it back to Arena. The Riverhounds defender slipped on the wet turf and a lurking Ownby punished his error by scooping up the loose ball, waltzing into the box and rocketing a determined shot into the far corner.

Searching for a goal prior to the break, the Riverhounds squandered their best chance of the half just past the half hour mark. Knocking the ball around in the back, Willie Hunt eventually slotted it wide to Pasher on the left wing who raced down the sideline before slicing a perfectly placed cross to the penalty spot. An onrushing Dantas split defenders as he reached for the point-blank finish but punched his right-footed shot just wide of the upright.

Ten minutes after the second half restart, the Riverhounds were not to be denied a second time, converting a corner kick to bring the scoreline level. Pasher stripped the ball of Kickers midfielder George Davis IV before playing a square pass to Rob Vincent. Vincent's blocked shot rebounded back to Pasher who laid it off to Mike Green who flicked it onward to heavily marked Okai, only to be stifled by the Kickers defense. Vincent lined up the resulting corner and lofted an inswinger neatly to the back post where Arena was waiting to avenge his earlier mistake by nodding home the equalizer.

Later, Davis IV threaded the ball through a swarming midfield to Jason Yeisley who swept a leading ball to spring Eli Garner free on a breakaway. Pittsburgh goalkeeper Calle Brown charged off his line to challenge Garner 1v1 before flinging himself in the line of fire 20 yards out to protect his wide-open net.

The Riverhounds quickly reorganized and answered back seconds later when Vincent blasted the ball into the box. The deflection was recovered by Pasher on the left wing who teamed up with Okai once again to free Vincent at the top of the box but his distance strike was blocked by a well-positioned Taylor.

In the waning minutes of regulation, midfielder Fred Owusu Sekyere served a ball to Ownby who eluded defenders en route to the box. He attempted a low left-footed shot that Brown bobbled but recovered to prevent prowling Matthew Delicate from poaching the rebound. Taylor was also called upon one last time to deny second half substitute Drew Russell in stoppage time to preserve the point on the road.

The Kickers return to City Stadium next week for two games in four games, first hosting Virginia Beach City FC in the U.S. Open Cup Second Round on Wednesday, May 20 before swapping home field advantage with Pittsburgh on Saturday, May 23. Wild Wolf Wednesday tickets, including admission and a Kick It Hunny, are on sale now for $12.00 at RichmondKickers.com.

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 16, 2015


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