KANSAS CITY, Kan. (March 23, 2019) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (0-1-1) played the Swope Park Rangers (0-1-1) to a 2-2 tie on Saturday at Children’s Mercy Park.

The Hounds jumped out to a 1-0 lead with a goal from Tobi Adewole in the 71st minute. The Rangers then stole the lead with two straight tallies before Anthony Velarde notched the equalizer off a penalty shot in second-half stoppage time.

“I feel like we created good chances today,” head coach Bob Lilley said. “It’s never ideal to drop points from a winning position, but I think based on the team we played I think we improved this week. Hopefully if we improve again next week, we get all three points.”

First Half

The first half belonged to Pittsburgh goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard.

Making his professional debut, Lundgaard made a couple terrific saves to keep the score even going into the half, batting a shot away from danger in the 8th minute and making a diving stop in the 30th minute.

The Hounds’ lone shot on goal in the first half came from the foot of forward Steevan Dos Santos. Swope Park goalkeeper Adrián Zendejas collected this attempt.

Second Half

It was a back-and-forth second half with the Hounds striking first.

Stemming from a free kick, Kenardo Forbes booted a ball into the box, connecting with Adewole, who put the team up 1-0 in the 71st minute.

Afterward, the Rangers potted a couple tallies to take the lead. Their first goal came off the foot of Rodney Wallace, who blasted a hard shot past Lundgaard off a rebound in the 83rd minute. Swope Park later took the lead with a goal from the right foot of Kelyn Rowe, who beat Lundgaard from the right side of the six-yard box in the 88th minute.

As the game went into its final minutes, Christian Volesky provided the Hounds with a golden opportunity, drawing a foul inside of the 18-yard box. The Hounds then turned to rookie midfielder Velarde, who posted the penalty-kick equalizer to bring the score to its final of 2-2.

Hound of the Match

Subbing into the match in the 89th minute, Anthony Velarde’s second-half stoppage time goal ended up giving the Hounds a point on the road.

Stat of the Game

In his professional debut, goalkeeper Ben Lundgaard recorded three saves.

What’s Next

Riverhounds SC will stay on the road to clash with in-state rival Bethlehem Steel FC (1-1-0) at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, March 30 at Talen Energy Stadium. This will mark the Hounds’ first-ever trip to Talen Energy Stadium.

 

Lineups:

Riverhounds SC – Ben Lundgaard – Ryan James, Tobi Adewole, Joe Greenspan, Jordan Dover (Anthony Velarde 89’) – Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Mouhamed Dabo – Kenardo Forbes, Kevin Kerr (Christian Volesky 63’) – Neco Brett (Caleb Smith 75’), Steevan Dos Santos

Subs not used: Kyle Morton Noah Franke, Sammy Kahsai, Uchenna Uzo

Swope Park Rangers – Adrián Zendejas – Rodney Wallace, Mohammad Abualnadi, Graham Smith, Mark Segbers – Kelyn Rowe, Gedion Zelalem (Wan Kuzain 59’), Gianluca Busio – Tyler Freeman (Killian Colombie 68’), Wilson Harris (Ethan Vanacore-Decker75’), Jerome Ngom Mbekeli

Subs not used: Eric Dick, Alexsander Andrade, Felipe Hernandez, Camden Riley

Scoring Summary:

PIT – Tobi Adewole 71’ (Kenardo Forbes)

SPR – Rodney Wallace 83’

SPR – Kelyn Rowe 88’ (Killian Colombie)

PIT – Anthony Velarde 90’+1 (penalty)

Misconduct Summary:

PIT – Mouhamed Dabo 33’ (caution)

SPR – Killian Colombie 70’ (caution)

SPR - Mohammad Abualnadi 90’ (ejection)

SPR – Kelyn Rowe 90’+3 (caution)