NY Red Bulls II vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds Game Turns Ugly
NY Red Bulls II were up 3-1 when RB defender Karl Ouimette was the victim of a gross cheap shot by Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ Romeo Parkes. The match got heated towards the end of the leading to red cards being handed to Parkes and Ouimette. While Ouimette was exiting the field Parkes came up behind him and kicked him in the back.
UPDATE 5/8/16: Pittsburgh Riverhounds terminate Romeo Parkes contract.
UPDATE 5/9/16: The USL has banned Romeo Parkes for the remainder of the 2016 season.
The cheap shot left Ouimette on the pitch for around 10 minutes before he was taking off the field on a stretcher and transported to the hospital.
This unfortunate circumstance could help FC Cincinnati next week on 5/14/16 as they face off at home against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. With the suspension of Romeo Parkes, Pittsburgh may struggle to get points on the board as he is their number one scorer.
Here are three different sources for the video in case one goes down
Here is another angle.
@NYRBII #PGHvNY @USL Unsportsmanlike! Parks should be suspended as long as Ouimette is injured. pic.twitter.com/XbHNUTEsBl
— carol pileggi (@pigpen813) May 8, 2016
The USL has issued a suspension for Parkes following the incident.
Official League Statement pic.twitter.com/4hGE0085RE
— USL (@USL) May 8, 2016
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds also issued a statement.
Our statement regarding the incident from tonight's match. pic.twitter.com/IQpRIGQkYH
— PghRiverhounds (@PghRiverhounds) May 8, 2016
Parkes tweeted shortly after the game, apologizing to the city of Pittsburgh, NY RB 2, and the USL.
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
Romeo was released from the team the day after the incident. The club released the following statement:
PITTSBURGH (May 8, 2016) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds have terminated the contract of Romeo Parkes following Saturday’s match against the New York Red Bulls II. Announced by team owner Tuffy Shallenberger, the team cited conduct detrimental to the team and the United Soccer League.
“I want to apologize to the fans and the Red Bulls II organization, as well as Karl Ouimette, for what transpired at the game last night,” Shallenberger stated. “Romeo’s actions are not representative of what our organization and its Academy stands for in regards to helping promote and grow this sport in not only the Greater Allegheny area, but also nationwide.
Read the rest here.
The USL issued a statement on 5/9/16 suspending Parkes for the remainder of the 2016 season.
TAMPA, Fla. – After conducting a thorough review, the United Soccer League has suspended former Pittsburgh Riverhounds player Romeo Parkes for the remainder of the 2016 regular season and playoffs and he has been fined an undisclosed amount.
“There is no place in our game for this type of unprofessional conduct and our decision reinforces the USL’s commitment to preserving the integrity and reputation of the game,” said Jake Edwards, President of the USL. “Player safety is paramount and any type of behavior that is detrimental to the well-being of our players will not be tolerated.”
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds announced on Sunday that the team has terminated the contract of Parkes following his kick to the back of New York Red Bulls II defender Karl Ouimette in the closing minutes of the New York Red Bulls II’s 3-1 win against Pittsburgh on Saturday.
