Riverhounds, St. Louis battle to 2-2 tie at Highmark Stadium

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds didn’t hold an early lead Saturday night at Highmark Stadium.

Although Pittsburgh (5-3-1) took a 2-0 lead on St. Louis (4-3-1) with two goals in the first 40 minutes, the Black and Gold couldn’t hold on as the skies opened up on their home field in the South Shore.

The Riverhounds and St. Louis F.C. played to a 2-2 draw. Forward Ropapa Mensah struck first as he cleaned up a shot in front of former Pittsburgh goalkeeper Kyle Morton in the 16th minute. It was Mensah’s third goal of the season, although there was a debate whether or not the final touch was by Pittsburgh or St. Louis.

WE GOIN' IN. #UNLEASH #PITvSTL pic.twitter.com/xKPVO9cpES

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) August 22, 2020

The Hounds struck again in the 40th minute when Upper St. Clair native Robbie Mertz scored his fourth goal of the season on an unassisted attempt in front of the St. Louis goal mouth.

BEST SHOW IN TOWN. #UNLEASH #PITvSTL pic.twitter.com/E1UZVoRefG

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) August 22, 2020

Although the Riverhounds took an early lead, their opposition answered twice in the final 55 minutes. St. Louis midfielder Kyle Greig scored in the first minute of extra time in the first half. Then, St. Louis midfielder Wal Fall scored in the 57th minute of the game after a rainstorm delayed the second half.

“We told our guys that they had to be ready for Saint Louis to attack hard in the second half,” Riverhounds coach Bob Lilley said. “I just felt like we sat back in the second half, and we sat too deep on their second goal.”

St. Louis controlled the possession throughout the game and won the possession battle 59.5 to 40.5 by the end of the game. St. Louis also won the shot battle 17 to 10.

The Hounds will return to action at 7 p.m. Friday when they travel to Dillon Stadium to play Hartford Athletic (5-1-0).