The Pittsburgh Riverhounds ended their two-game losing streak Saturday with a 1-1 tie against the Richmond Kickers at Highmark Stadium.
Defender Anthony Arena headed the Hounds level 10 minutes into the second period after his slip allowed his former Houston Dynamo colleague Brian Ownby to put the Kickers ahead in the first half.
The result lifts the Hounds to a 2-3-3 record on the season for nine points.
“Ownby was my roommate in Houston for a year and a half and he’s one of my best friends off the field,” said Arena after the game. “He owes me half of his goal bonus for that one.
“Mistakes happen, but I was fortunate enough to get us back.”
Pittsburgh had no shortage of chances despite failing to find the net in the first half. A cross from full-back Tyler Pasher on 15 minutes was destined for Stephen Okai before finding the hand of Kickers’ defenseman William Yomby. The strange play resulted in a no-call by the officials and an angry Steel Army.
Momentum shifted to the Kickers nine minutes later. Ownby found the net after a turnover by Arena five yards outside the Hounds’ box. The goal was redemption of sorts as Ownby played five games for Pittsburgh last season on loan from the Dynamo.
The Hounds met with stout Kickers defending for the remainder of the first period. Richmond’s backline blocked multiple shots and won every ball that sped through their own penalty area.
Mark Steffens’ side opened up the second half by controlling possession and stringing together multiple passes. They eventually drew level on 55 minutes. Rob Vincent’s corner kick found the head of Arena. He popped the ball past the outstretched arms of Kickers goalkeeper Ryan Taylor to even the contest with his first of the season.
Pittsburgh created the majority of the scoring chances and possession for the remainder of the match.
Calle Brown made his professional debut in net for the Hounds in place of regular starter Ryan Thompson. The Jamaican national team player sat out the contest due to a tweaked muscle in his back. Brown played confidently and made a big stop midway through the second half when he rushed from his penalty area to stop a breakaway attempt by Eli Garner. But Brown wasn’t the only player to make his debut Saturday night.
Newly acquired Serbian midfielder Boris Zivanovic made his Hounds debut when he replaced Vini Dantas on 73 minutes. The former Honved man showed crafty footwork in the little time he played.
The Hounds return to action Wednesday when the West Virginia Chaos visits Highmark Stadium for second round action in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.