In a match with all the intensity and physical edge of a postseason clash, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and Eastern Conference pacesetters Tampa Bay Rowdies battled to a hard-fought 0-0 draw at F.N.B. Stadium. For the Rowdies, getting a point in Pittsburgh a place where the side has had so much trouble the last half dozen years or so is always a positive.
Nowadays, whenever we have a 0-0 we’re told it was actually an interesting match by commentators. That is often true but was not the case last night. This match was the second successive Rowdies match that was a chore to watch, but in both cases it was a chore because of the cynical play of the opposition.
Anyway, back to the match, the stalemate was characterized by bone-crunching challenges and high tactical stakes, producing 31 total fouls and boiling over late when Hounds head coach Rob Vincent received his first career red card. With the point, Pittsburgh maintained its historically stout home record against Tampa Bay having suffered just one home defeat against the Rowdies in 11 all-time meetings. But again, for Tampa Bay, any point in Pittsburgh is a point gained.
Neither side opted for a cautious feeling-out period initially, trading high-danger opportunities in the opening stages.
The Riverhounds nearly struck in the fifth minute when Eliot Goldthorp created separation at the top of the penalty area, slipping past two defenders before unleashing a left-footed strike aimed for the far corner. The effort beat the goalkeeper but was denied by Rowdies defender Ethan Bartlow, who retreated in the nick of time to clear the ball off the line with a crucial header.
Tampa Bay responded minutes later from a set piece 30 yards out. The delivery found the head of Nathan Dossantos in the center of the box, but Pittsburgh goalkeeper Nico Campuzano was cleanly positioned to make the save. It was one of two saves Campuzano needed on the evening to secure his ninth shutout across all competitions (eighth in USL Championship play).
Pittsburgh captain Danny Griffin produced a vital sliding block midway through the first half to deny Marco Micaletto from inside the box, while Goldthorp threatened once more before the interval, chesting down a loose ball inside the area before firing just over the crossbar.
The second half began with Pittsburgh continuing to press for an opener. Striker Trevor Amann came inches away when he met a Sam Bassett corner kick near the front post, though his first-time effort struck the outside netting. Shortly after the hour mark, Charles Ahl a Florida-bred player created space at the top of the box, but his curling attempt sailed high.
There were long periods in the second half where nothing was going on of note, as the match settled into an uncomfortable pattern for the viewer but a clear cagey-driven match by the Riverhounds.
The physical nature of the contest reached a boiling point in the 72nd minute. After Goldthorp was shown a yellow card for persistent infringement, the tension escalated moments later when Laurence Wyke clattered through the back of Amann in front of the Tampa Bay technical area without a whistle from the referee. It was the type of challenge we saw often from Wyke last season, but had been cleaned up this year.
The no-call prompted an immediate reaction from the Pittsburgh sideline, with Vincent and goalkeepers coach Jon Busch stepping onto the pitch to voice their frustration. The confrontation resulted in Vincent receiving a straight red card.
Despite late bookings and set-piece opportunities for both sides as stoppage time wound down, neither club could find the decisive breakthrough. The quality of the set-pieces tended to be poor, and the intensity was dropping late on even as the match became chippier.
Photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Riverhounds