It was a unique evening with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds F.C. and Richmond Kickers finishing 1-1, before 1,185 in a match that was canceled before the second half with a steady rain falling.
Both sides had their chances while battling the many puddles on the turf in a match that began about an hour late while the field could be made ready for play. Fearfull of being late, I arrived at 7:15, only to find the players warming up and the ground crew at work.
The Kickers, in their Red with white trim, scored first. The scoreboard was not working so I'm guessing it was about the 15th minute when Robert Ssejjemba beat goalkeeper Terry McNelis with a shot from about 10 yards, as my view from the pressbox to the outfield side of the stadium. Mike Burke earned the assist.
But the hounds, looking like the U.S. National team-wearing white shirts with Red and black strip down the left side in the midst was their logo, and black shorts, started getting more chances, which paid off in the 27th minute when Michael Apple, making his return, headed a corner kick from Cody Bragg past a startled Ronnie Pascale.
The rain continued to fall during halftime and as the second half was scheduled to resume, the officials, along with head coach Gene Klein and a couple of others, surveyed the field (similar to the way they do in baseball) before the decision was made to cancel. There was no lightning around.
I caught up with head coach Gene Klein after the match and he said it was the officials decision to cancel and he was pleased with the performance the hounds played.
I also caught up with Apple, who could not have been happier about his return and the result.
The hounds next game is on Saturday(6-10) when they host the Cincinnati Kings at 7:05 PM.
