A bright start for Pittsburgh evaporated in the second half as Miami FC produced a decisive flurry to beat the Riverhounds 3-1 tonight at Pitbull Stadium. Charles Ahl’s first-half volley put Pittsburgh ahead, but Tobias Zárate’s two quick strikes after the break and a late Allen Gavilanes finish turned the game in Miami’s favor and ended the Hounds’ run without a loss to Miami at nine matches.
First half
The Hounds dominated the opening 45 minutes, outshooting Miami 15-1 and spending much of the half in the opponent’s final third. Charles Ahl led the charge, posting five shots and forcing Miami goalkeeper Nicolás Cardona into repeated work. Ahl’s goal came in the 22nd minute after his initial free kick hit the wall; Pittsburgh recycled possession to the right, Luke Biasi crossed, and after a glancing clearance Ahl met the ball on the far side with a confident right-footed volley that found the net. It was Ahl’s fourth goal of the season and his third against Florida-based clubs.
Pittsburgh nearly doubled the lead in the 33rd minute when Bradley Sample created space in the box and rattled the left upright. Biasi also threatened late in the half but was denied by Cardona, who finished the period with five saves.
Second half
Miami turned the match quickly after halftime. In the 48th minute Zárate got in behind the defense, cut onto his left foot and fired a low, powerful finish past Jacob Randolph to level the score. The momentum fully swung in Miami’s direction in the 59th minute when a blocked clearance led to a sequence that left Zárate with a late-arriving run and a finish into the top-left corner.
Miami sealed the result in the 82nd minute when substitute Allen Gavilanes controlled an arcing pass from Gerald Diaz and tucked a low left-footed shot across goal for the third. The comeback reflected a stark second-half reversal: where Pittsburgh controlled tempo early, Miami found clinical finishing and composure on the counter.
Tactical takeaways
Pittsburgh’s 3-4-2-1 press and possession dominance in the first half worked well to create quality chances, but the team failed to sustain the intensity and structural discipline after halftime.
Miami’s adjustments focused on quicker transitions and exploiting space behind Pittsburgh’s wingbacks; Zárate’s movement between defenders was decisive.
Goalkeeping proved pivotal: Cardona’s stop in the first half kept Miami in the match and Randolph was beaten twice by well-struck efforts early in the second half.
Standout performer
Charles Ahl. Playing in his home state, Ahl was the clearest attacking spark for the Hounds: four crosses, three shots on target, three free kicks won, and the opening goal. His activity and attacking flair were tangible positives despite the loss.
Consequences and what’s next
The defeat drops Pittsburgh to sixth in the Eastern Conference, costing them a chance to jump into fourth with a win. Miami’s result keeps them alive in the playoff chase and halts the Hounds’ unbeaten run against this opponent.
Pittsburgh returns home to Highmark Stadium at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11 to face Indy Eleven, a direct competitor still clinging to a playoff spot. The Hounds must tighten their transition defense and find sharper finishing if they want to protect home advantage and solidify their postseason positioning.
Lineups and match facts
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 3-4-2-1 Jacob Randolph; Guillaume Vacter, Sean Suber, Beto Ydrach; Junior Etou (Jorge Garcia 76), Bradley Sample, Danny Griffin, Luke Biasi (Jackson Walti 63); Charles Ahl, Bertin Jacquesson (Chase Boone 63); Augi Williams (Brigham Larsen 76).
Miami FC 4-2-3-1 Nicolás Campisi; Jonathan Ricketts, Nicolás Cardona, Daltyn Knutson, Tulu (Alejandro Mitrano 86); Diego Mercado, Matias Romero; Sebastián Blanco (Gerald Diaz 72), Tobias Zárate (Brandon Bent 86), Cristian Vázquez (Allen Gavilanes 77); Francisco Bonfiglio.
Scoring summary PIT — Charles Ahl 22’ MIA — Tobias Zárate 48’ (Matias Romero) MIA — Tobias Zárate 59’ (Cristian Vázquez) MIA — Allen Gavilanes 82’ (Gerald Diaz).
Discipline summary MIA — Nicolás Cardona 27’ (yellow) PIT — Bertin Jacquesson 45+1’ (yellow) PIT — Luke Biasi 58’ (yellow) MIA — Daltyn Knutson 70’ (yellow) MIA — Gerald Diaz 73’ (yellow) MIA — Alejandro Mitrano 90+2’ (yellow).
Direct, clinical finishing from Miami erased Pittsburgh’s early promise. The Hounds must regroup quickly and sharpen their defensive transitions if they want to keep pace in a tightening Eastern Conference race.
The Hounds are back at home at 7 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 11, when they will host Indy Eleven at Highmark Stadium; Indy is clinging to the eighth and final playoff spot in the Eastern Conference and represents a direct playoff rival for Pittsburgh.
(photo courtesy of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds)