{"id":145190,"date":"2026-03-22T10:04:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-22T10:04:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/145190\/"},"modified":"2026-03-22T10:04:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-22T10:04:20","slug":"final-tampa-bay-rowdies-3-riverhounds-sc-0","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/145190\/","title":{"rendered":"FINAL: Tampa Bay Rowdies 3, Riverhounds SC 0"},"content":{"rendered":"

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\nFINAL: Tampa Bay Rowdies 3, Riverhounds SC 0<\/p>\n

Match Stats: USL Championship Match Center<\/a><\/p>\n

Instant Match Summary <\/p>\n

The Riverhounds\u2019 three-match road trip to open the season hit a major speed bump at Al Lang Stadium, as they fell 3-0 to a hard-charging and clinical Tampa Bay Rowdies side.<\/p>\n

Leading the Rowdies charge was none other than former Riverhound, Russell Cicerone, opened up his scoring account with his new club, delivering a goal and an assist, while 2025 All-USL Championship second team selection MD Myers came off the bench to convert the second goal for the Rowdies midway through the second half.\u00a0 Evan Conway added a late goal to add more salt to the already wounded Hounds.<\/p>\n

\u201cIt\u2019s always a bit different playing against Pittsburgh. I have so much respect for that organization and those fans, but my job now is to produce for Tampa. Getting that first goal for the club tonight\u2014especially right before the half\u2014was a massive weight off the shoulders,\u201d Cicerone said after the match.<\/p>\n

\u201cWe knew if we could break their structure early, we could control the tempo.\u201d<\/p>\n

The first half saw Tampa Bay come out with an effective high press which rattled Pittsburgh\u2019s efforts to get on the ball and control tempo.\u00a0 Despite Tampa causing plenty of havoc with its high-line efforts to disrupt the Hounds, they were unable to connect and convert on any chances.<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh started to build-up play a bit more past the half hour mark, but were not generating any quality touches or shot chances in or around the box.<\/p>\n

The match deadlock was broken in the final seconds of stoppage time, with Cicerone getting on the end of a Marco Micoletto cross.<\/p>\n

Russell Ciccerone has arrived in St. Pete!<\/p>\n

The former @RiverhoundsSC<\/a> leading scorer gets on the end of cross \u2014 perfectly placed by Marco Micaletto, between two Hounds’ center backs, and places pinpoint header inside far post slot to give the home side late 1st half lead https:\/\/t.co\/vJYdYWtoys<\/a><\/p>\n

\u2014 Pittsburgh Soccer Now (@pghsoccernow) March 22, 2026<\/a><\/p>\n

The late goal shifted the momentum entirely toward the hosts heading into the break.<\/p>\n

Tampa Bay carried that momentum into the second half, doubling their lead and effectively putting the game out of reach.<\/p>\n

Despite several tactical shifts from Rob Vincent, including bringing on fresh legs like Junior Etou, Robbie Mertz and Trevor Amann, the Hounds struggled to break down a Rowdies defense anchored by former teammates Jahmali Waite and Nate Dossantos.<\/p>\n

There is no time to dwell on the Florida heat as the Hounds fly home to prepare for the anticipated, rescheduled U.S. Open Cup \u201cPittsburgh Derby\u201d against Steel City FC this Wednesday at Highmark Stadium.<\/p>\n

INSTANT THOUGHTS & BREAKDOWN<\/p>\n

That was a tough one for the Hounds. It\u2019s never easy watching former fan favorites like Russell Cicerone find the back of the net against you, especially when it snaps a momentum-building start to the season.<\/p>\n

Here is a breakdown of the match details and what\u2019s next for the club.<\/p>\n

Statistical Note: A Rare Defensive Slide<\/p>\n

This loss marks a concerning trend for the Hounds\u2019 usually stout defense. This is the first time since late July 2023 that the team has surrendered multiple goals in three straight matches.<\/p>\n

March 7: 2-1 loss vs. Charleston Battery<\/p>\n

March 14: 3-2 win vs. Loudoun United FC<\/p>\n

March 21: 3-0 loss vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies<\/p>\n

Look for more reaction to come from Al Lang Stadium from post match interviews and on Sunday John Krysinsky will share his match takeaways.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n

Live Match Updates and Commentary:\u00a0<\/p>\n

Follow along for all match updates here:<\/p>\n

FINAL \u2014 TAMPA BAY 3, PITTSBURGH 0<\/p>\n

2nd half<\/p>\n

90\u2032 (+3) \u2014 GOAL!! TAMPA BAY 3, PITTSBURGH 0<\/p>\n

Evan Conway in stoppage time buries his chance.<\/p>\n

78\u2032 \u2014 GOAL!! TAMPA BAY 2, PITTSBURGH 0<\/p>\n

MD Myers<\/p>\n

Russell Cicerone with nice advance through middle of field, then plays ball to Myers outside shoulder \u2014 and one touch buries a terrific shot from 15 yards.<\/p>\n

Have to think the Hounds may have gone to two center backs too soon \u2014 pushing too many numbers forward and caught on the second goal.<\/p>\n

73\u2032 \u2013 Chipped cross by Viera, but Etou can\u2019t keep the header down after elevating above his defender.<\/p>\n

72\u2032 \u2014 Pittsburgh more fluid on ball through final third. Earn corner kick with ball in that nearly connects.\u00a0 Dikwa with right footed shot from the left side of the six yard box that misses.<\/p>\n

68\u2032 \u2014 Attempt missed TBR\u2019s super sub \u2013MD Myers.\u00a0 Rowdies now with 12-1 advantage in shots.\u00a0 Yikes!<\/p>\n

68\u2032 \u2014 HOUNDS SUBS<\/p>\n

IN: Robbie Mertz, Eliot Goldthorp<\/p>\n

OUT: Bradley Sample, Charles Ahl<\/p>\n

First appearance of season for Goldthorp!<\/p>\n

62\u2032 \u2014 Micaletto goes in the books.<\/p>\n

56\u2019 \u2014\u00a0Etou picks up a yellow for Pittsburgh. <\/p>\n

47\u2032 \u2014 Foul!\u00a0 \u00a0Dikwa earns free kick.\u00a0 Sam Bassett\u2019s free kick sails just wide!<\/p>\n

46\u2032 \u2014 SUB \u2014 Junior Etou comes on for Guillaume Vacter who must be injured.\u00a0 We may also see Hounds shift tactics here with only two true center backs in the lineup.<\/p>\n

HALF \u2014 TAMPA BAY 1, PITTSBURGH 0<\/p>\n

A fairly disciplined half from the Hounds was undone in the final seconds of stoppage time. After 45 minutes of neutralizing the Tampa Bay attack, a late lapse allowed the Rowdies to find the back of the net just before the whistle.<\/p>\n

\u00a0It\u2019s a tough pill to swallow for a Hounds side was starting to work its way back in dictating tempo and shape of the match \u2014 after yet another slow start \u2014\u00a0 until that moment.<\/p>\n

Tough sledding\u2019 for the Hounds in the final third despite owning 60 percent of time on the ball, they were unable to generate a single shot.<\/p>\n

Here\u2019s the Cicerone goal:<\/p>\n

Key Stats at the Half<\/p>\n

Category
\nPittsburgh
\nTampa Bay<\/p>\n

Score
\n0
\n1<\/p>\n

Possession
\n60%
\n40%<\/p>\n

Shots
\n0
\n5<\/p>\n

Shots on Goal
\n0
\n1<\/p>\n

Yellow Cards
\n1 (Ahl)
\n0<\/p>\n

45\u2019+1 \u2014 GOAL!\u00a0 TAMPA BAY 1, PITTSBURGH 0<\/p>\n

Russell Ciccerone has arrived in St. Pete!<\/p>\n

The former Hound gets on the end of cross \u2014 perfectly placed by Marco Micoletto, between two Hounds\u2019 center backs, and places pinpoint header inside far post slot to give the home side the lead.<\/p>\n

Just as Riverhounds started to get back into controlling possession \u2014 Tampa grabs a huge momentum swing in the match in stoppage time!<\/p>\n

37\u2032 \u2014 Foul!\u00a0 Dikwa does the dirty work to earn the foul.\u00a0 Free kick doesn\u2019t quite connect.<\/p>\n

30\u2032 \u2014 Pittsburgh has had more possession but it\u2019s been a bit more sustained through the middle with a few pushes forward but not a shot attempt yet.\u00a0 Dikwa is drawing a lot of heat.\u00a0 Rowdies defending in final third has been outstanding.<\/p>\n

14\u2032 \u2014 Hounds finally earn a corner \u2014 after decent build-up causes Rowdies to quick clear. Sam Bassett corner doesn\u2019t connect at all sails way over goal.<\/p>\n

10\u2032 \u2014 Former Hounds leading scorer \u2014 Cicerone has a chance \u2014 but blocked!\u00a0 Tampa definitely on the front foot early \u2014 especially as its high press is not letting the Hounds get any kind of build-up going.<\/p>\n

1\u2032 \u2014 Kickoff \u2014 They\u2019re underway at Al Lang.\u00a0 Hounds wearing this year\u2019s road Gold tops and Black short and socks.<\/p>\n

Thoughts on Hounds Starting XI \u2014 Same lineup as last week for Pittsburgh.<\/p>\n

7:31 p.m.<\/p>\n

6:35 p.m. \u2014 Lineups are posted\u2026<\/p>\n

Starting Lineups<\/p>\n

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (3-4-2-1):<\/p>\n

\"Image\"<\/p>\n

GK: Nico Campuzano<\/p>\n

DEF: Guillaume Vacter, Victor Souza, Beto Ydrach<\/p>\n

MID: Perrin Barnes, Bradley Sample, Sam Bassett, Max Viera<\/p>\n

AM: Danny Griffin (C), Charles Ahl<\/p>\n

FWD: Albert Dikwa<\/p>\n

Bench: Mike Sheridan, Illal Osumanu, Junior Etou, Jackson Walti, Robbie Mertz, Warren Agostoni, Aldair Flowers-Gamboa, Brigham Larsen, Trevor Amann<\/p>\n

Tampa Bay Rowdies (4-2-3-1):<\/p>\n

That\u2019s THREE former Hounds in the line-up for the Rowdies\u2026<\/p>\n

GK: Jahmali Waite<\/p>\n

DEF: Dion Acoff, Brian Schaefer, Nate Dossantos, Jordan Ostrem<\/p>\n

MID: Schneider, Hilton<\/p>\n

AM: Russell Cicerone, Dolabella, Cruz<\/p>\n

FWD: Henderlong<\/p>\n

Bench: Austin Pack, Jesse Tita, Laurence Wyke, Louis P\u00e9rez, Marco Micaletto, Alexander Rodriguez, Gino Vivi<\/p>\n

Date: Saturday, March 21, 2026<\/p>\n

Kickoff: 7:30 PM EDT<\/p>\n

Venue: Al Lang Stadium | St. Petersburg, FL<\/p>\n

Current Records: * Riverhounds: 1-1-0 (3 pts)<\/p>\n

All-Time Series: Tied at 7-7-5<\/p>\n

Odds: Rowdies +105 | Hounds +240 | Draw +210<\/p>\n

\ud83d\udcfa How to Watch & Follow<\/p>\n

Television: SportsNet Pittsburgh (Local)<\/p>\n

Streaming: Watch on ESPN+<\/a> (National)<\/p>\n

Radio: Radio Las Palmas, 92.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)<\/p>\n

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John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of ‘Miracle on the Mon’ — a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men\u2019s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).<\/p>\n

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