USL Game Report

Sunday, April 19, 2015

PITTSBURGH - An injury time goal from Louisville City FC forward Kadeem Dacres earned a point for the visiting side as the club played to a dramatic 1-1 draw with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds at Highmark Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

The Hounds looked set for a second win of the season after defender Fejiro Okiomah's glancing header gave them lead in the first half. Pittsburgh goalkeeper Ryan Thompson's late penalty save vs. Louisville's Matt Fondy looked to have quelled a late Louisville rally until Dacres beat the Jamaican goalkeeper from 25 yards with a curling left-footed strike.

Vini Dantas could have put the Hounds ahead on 12 minutes after Lebo Moloto released Kevin Kerr down the right side. The Brazilian forward headed the ball downward only to see it bounce up and over Scott Goodwin's crossbar.

Okiomah's first goal for the Hounds arrived in the 38th minute when Rob Vincent whipped an inswinging free kick toward the near post. The Texan defender reached the ball ahead of his marker to glance a precise header inside the far corner of the goal.

Willie Hunt almost doubled the lead in first-half stoppage time when he drilled a shot against the post after another nice set-up by Vincent.

There were chances at both ends during a dramatic second period. Thompson made a big save to keep Dacres out early on, before a chip from Riverhounds midfielder Kevin Kerr sailed narrowly over the Louisville crossbar.

The referee whistled for a penalty in the 86th minute when Louisville midfielder Magnus Rasmussen hit the floor after contact from Stephen Okai . However, Thompson pushed Fondy's initial shot back out in front of goal before making a magnificent follow-up save to stop the rebound.

Those heroics were ultimately in vain as Dacres collected a ball on the right side, cut toward the top of the box and curled a left foot shot inside Thompson's near post.

"It feels like a loss," Riverhounds assistant coach Josh Rife said. "We played well enough to get the win and two points have slipped away."

The Hounds edge to five points with the result (1-1-2) while Louisville remains unbeaten on six points (1-0-3).

Toronto F.C. II visits Highmark Stadium next Saturday, April 25, for an Eastern Conference clash against. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.