STLFC created the game’s first scoring chance off a free kick from the right side in the 14th minute. The ball eventually came to the home team’s Kadeem Dacres, whose shot from the edge of the box went over top of the goal.

Midway through the half, Pittsburgh nearly went up when Joe Greenspan’s header off a corner appeared headed for the corner. But STLFC’s Lewis Hilton was there to clear the ball from danger.

In the 34th minute, Tyler Blackwood played a pass in transition to Russell Cicerone behind the Pittsburgh defense. Cicerone managed to push the ball wide past Pittsburgh keeper Kyle Morton, but his hurried shot from the right wing was caught as Morton retreated toward his net.

Pittsburgh has allowed just eight first-half goals all season.

The visitors had a goal waved off because of offsides in the 51st minute.

Pittsburgh came on strong as the second half progressed.

In the 75th minute, an ugly head-to-head collision near midfield between STLFC reserve Kyle Greig and Pittsburgh’s Todd Pratzner forced both teams to replace players. Greig came on about five minutes before that.