The Pittsburgh Riverhounds saw their playoff hopes take a hit Saturday night, giving up two second-half goals in a 2-1 loss to the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
Leo Fernandes’ goal in stoppage time was the dagger for the Hounds, who saw a 10-game unbeaten streak (5-0-5) come to an end.
The Hounds (8-10-11) are two points behind Rhode Island and Loudoun, who are tied for the last two playoff spots in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference standings. The Riverhounds have five games remaining.
Jackson Walti scored in the 43rd minute to give the Hounds a 1-0 lead, taking a pass from Bertin Jacquesson at the top of the penalty area and one-touching a shot into the bottom left corner of the net.
Tampa Bay (13-8-7) tied the score in the 71st minute when Manuel Arteaga redirected in a Cal Jenning pass with a backheel at the right post.
The winning goal came in the 91st minute. Fernandes collected the rebound of his own partially blocked shot from the top of the penalty area and took a shot that deflected in off retreating defender Dani Rovira.
The Hounds won’t play again for almost two weeks, hosting Birmingham Legion FC at 7 p.m. Saturday, Sept. 28 at Highmark Stadium.
