Normally after a match, Pittsburgh Riverhounds head coach Mark Steffens is lively and smiling before he reaches the post-game podium. However, after the Riverhounds 3-1 loss against the New York Red Bulls II, Steffens was solemn and quiet.
The reason? Romeo Parkes’ red card and his actions afterwards.
In the 86’ minute, Parkes endured in some pushing and shoving with Karl Ouimette. Both players received a red card for their actions. On the way off the pitch, Parkes kicked Ouimette in the lower back, resulting in him immediately going down on the pitch and an all-out Riverhounds vs. Red Bulls brawl in the middle of the pitch. Eventually Parkes was escorted off the field by his teammates, while Ouimette was put on a stretcher and taken in an ambulance.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ Romeo Parkes cheapshots NYRB II’s Karl Ouimette after both were sent off pic.twitter.com/6MnvdyJts9
— James Dart (@James_Dart) May 8, 2016
After the match, Steffens noted that he had never seen a problem with Parkes before, saying that his actions were “out of the blue.”
“The Romeo incident … I don’t really know what happened besides both players being given red cards,” Steffens said. “Romeo retaliated, but it’s an unfortunate situation. It’s embarrassing for the organization, for myself, for my coaching staff and for everybody. I think it will be dealt with by the USL.”
As for the Riverhounds organization, they sent out this statement regarding Parkes’ incident.
“The Pittsburgh Riverhounds organization does not condone the type of behavior that transpired on the field tonight, and we want to apologize to the New York Red Bulls II and our fans for what happened. We have already communicated with the USL that we will fully cooperate with the League’s investigation and will support whatever disciplinary actions they may take. We are happy to see Karl Ouimette has returned to the team and is making the trip back to Harrison, N.J.”
Parkes, who scored the Riverhounds lone goal in the 10’ minute, has been suspended indefinitely per a release from the USL. The red card and incident will seemingly also hurt the Jamaican’s chances of being named to the final Copa America Centenario roster, for the upcoming tournament that begins in June.
Parkes took to Twitter after the match.
To the fans, my teams, the city of PGH, NY Red Bulls 2 and the USL, I recognized that my action was wrong and inappropriate.
— Romeo Parkes (@ovando678) May 8, 2016
and I sincerely apologize and regret my actions. Despite the continous altercation throughout the game my further action after I was carded
— Romeo Parkes (@ovando678) May 8, 2016
Was unwarrented and i ask for my fans, the league and my teammates as well as the New York Red Bulls to accept my sincere apology.
— Romeo Parkes (@ovando678) May 8, 2016
As for the rest of the match, the Riverhounds gave away three goals after Parkes’ goal. Anatole Abang scored the Red Bulls’ first goal in the 12’ minute, followed by goals from Stefano Bonomo (72’) and Derrick Etienne (82’). The Red Bulls had Tyler Adams receive a yellow card in the 85’ minute, while Pittsburgh also had a yellow card given to Lebo Moloto in the 21’ minute.
The Riverhounds, without Parkes, will travel to Cincinnati to face FC Cincinnati on Saturday, May 14. The match will begin at 4 p.m. and can be viewed on the USL’s live stream on their YouTube page.
As for Parkes’ suspension, coach Steffens estimated that the USL will reach a punishment in about two to three days.
