Riverhounds fit to be tied after controversial call in Miami

After having an apparent second-half goal waved off by a controversial referee’s decision, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds played Miami FC to a scoreless draw Saturday night.

The tie dealt a blow to the Riverhounds’ chances of finishing second in the USL Championship’s Atlantic Division and earning a home game in the first round of the playoffs.

The Riverhounds (15-8-7) are now tied with the Charlotte Independence (16-9-4) for second place with 52 points, but the Independence had three games remaining while the Riverhounds have only two, although both are at home. They’ll host Charleston at 7 p.m. next Saturday and close out the regular season the following Saturday against Hartford. The Riverhounds are 1-2-2 in their last five.

The controversial call came in the 66th minute.

So here’s the goal that wasn’t, offered without commentary.#UNLEASH #MIAvPIT pic.twitter.com/3BTJbpJ3tv

— x - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) October 17, 2021

Devon “Speedy” Williams took a free kick about 35 yards from his own net, playing the ball to defender Janos Lobe, who nonchalantly passed back toward goalkeeper Connor Sparrow. The Miami netminder wasn’t prepared for the back pass, however, and the ball slid by his outstretched right foot and inside the post for what looked to be an embarrassing own goal.

After a long discussion, referee Jonathan Bilinski awarded the Riverhounds a corner kick, which would have been the correct call if Miami had inadvertently sent the ball into its own net before it was put in play by Williams passing to Lobe.

The Riverhounds had an 8-4 advantage in shots in the game, including a 5-1 edge in shots on frame.