Kickers Notch Last-Second Equalizer in Pittsburgh
Published on May 2, 2010 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Richmond Kickers News Release
PITTSBURGH, PA - The Richmond Kickers sneaked away with a 1-1 draw in Pittsburgh Sunday afternoon, in their second game in 24 hours. The Riverhounds took an early lead when a missed clearance resulted in an own goal and held the visitors off the scoreboard for the majority of the match. It was not until the 90th minute that forward Matthew Delicâte notched his second goal of the weekend to bring the score level. The Kickers round out the two-game road stand with four points and return to the University of Richmond Stadium next Saturday, May 8th to host the Real Maryland Monarchs at 7:00 p.m.
Inclement weather left the pitch in an unfavorable condition as the Riverhounds controlled possession early on and stifled the Kickers attack. Their persistence paid off in the 13th minute when midfielder Matt Baker received the ball on the right wing. Carrying the ball into the box, he slotted a low cross on target. Kickers midfielder Luke Vercollone attempted to clear it from harm's way but his tackle went awry, redirecting the ball to the near post, and past a diving Ronnie Pascale's outstretched hand.
Soon after, Baker created another dangerous opportunity when he delivered a cross from the right side to a well-positioned Niko Katic seven yards out, but his header soared over the crossbar.
The Kickers came out more offensively and applied pressure following the second half restart. The visiting side's first chance of the night came in the 70th minute when Mike Burke initiated a nice combination in the box, laying the ball off to a wide-open Jonathan Villanueva. The rookie midfielder lined up a shot from point-blank range but narrowly missed just wide.
Searching for the equalizer in the 82nd minute, Burke served in a cross from the right side, finding Ross Mackenzie in the air but his nod to the left corner from 10 yards out was blocked by goalkeeper Hunter Gilstrap.
On the counterattack one minute later, Baker was played through on the right side and fired a rocket from 14 yards, scarcely missing the far post.
The back-and-forth battle found the Kickers in scoring position with less than a minute remaining on the clock when Vercollone dished up a perfectly placed cross from the right side of the box. With nearly every player crowding the box, defender Yomby William just missed the loose ball inches from the goal mouth.
Seconds before the final whistle, the Kickers fate was saved when Pascale served a free kick from the midline into the teeming box. A Riverhounds defender cleared the ball to Sascha Görres, positioned 25 yards out. Settling the ball, he chipped it back into the mix, locating an unmarked Delicâte six yards out. Without wasting another moment, he headed the ball on frame, which made contact with Gilstrap, who could not stop the momentum as it whizzed past.
The Richmond Kickers return to the University of Richmond Stadium on Saturday, May 8th to host the Real Maryland Monarchs and Rec-stravaganza at 7:00 p.m. All recreational soccer players are invited to attend with their Youth Pro Passes and parents and friends can purchase discounted tickets in advance. Order general admission tickets via RichmondKickers.com and save $2.00.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from May 2, 2010
- Kickers Notch Last-Second Equalizer in Pittsburgh - Richmond Kickers
- Monarchs Fall to Defending Champs - Real Maryland Monarchs
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