As a professional in the world of soccer, goalkeepers know that they could be thrown into the starting lineup at any minute.

That was the case at Highmark Stadium on Thursday night for Keasel Broome. Starting goalkeeper Trey Mitchell went down with a dislocated shoulder injury during pregame warm ups with Broome and goalkeeper coach Hunter Gilstrap.

For Broome, it was the first time in his career that a fellow goalkeeper teammate went down in a few short minutes before the match.

“Keasel played a whale of a game and I think the guys in front of him did too,” head coach Dave Brandt said.

However, the guys in front of him weren’t the same guys that featured on the defense last weekend against Louisville City FC. Marshall Hollingsworth and Michael Green took the left and right back slots while Gale Agbossoumonde and Lalas Abubakar featured as centerbacks.

“Whether someone’s fatigued and they need a rest, or a push or a little reminder that their spot isn’t guaranteed, we’ve got a number of guys who can play,” Brandt said.

“The guys in front of me did their part, all credit to them,” Broome said. “They made my job a lot easier. The guys in front of me did their part, all credit to them. They made my job a lot easier.”

In goal, Broome was a big part of the Riverhounds success against the strikers of the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Broome made five saves against five different Rowdies strikers, including Tamika Mkandawire, Darnell King, Joe Cole, Georgi Hristov and Keith Savage.

As for the Riverhounds attack, Brandt decided to change the lineup there too. Instead of starting Romeo Parkes up top, Chevaughn Walsh got his first start of the 2017 season. Also, Ben Fitzpatrick switched from defense to the midfield, sending Green back.

In his first start, Walsh scored the opening goal, in the 11′ minute. The goal was assisted by forward Corey Hertzog.

“I had a chance, I tried my best and I took it,” Walsh said. “Corey will play his heart out no matter what. He pushes you to go harder.”

“When Chevy’s on the field and he’s fit and in the right frame of mind, he’s an absolute animal,” Brandt said.

The Riverhounds waited – forcing attack chances and starting the second half in defense mode – until the 88′ minute for the goal that secured three point. Parkes – who entered the match in the 60′ minute for Walsh – scored, assisted by captain Kevin Kerr.

Throughout the entire match, only one yellow card was shown to Tampa Bay’s Martin Vingaard in the 55′ minute.

The Riverhounds will return to Highmark Stadium on Tuesday, July 4, for their annual Independence match, which they will host the Charlotte Independence at 7 p.m.

Watch. These. Saves. @Keasel makes THREE saves to keep the @TampaBayRowdies off the scoresheet and give @PghRiverhounds the win. #PGHvTBR pic.twitter.com/9hwaAK7VRe

— USL (@USL) June 23, 2017

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