Second chance granted for Jamaican forward
Team signs player released last year after ugly incident
Pittsburgh Post-Gazette
Evidently, the Riverhounds are big believers in second chances.
Romeo Parkes, the Jamaican forward who made headlines by kicking an opposing player in the back this time a year ago, has agreed to a one-year deal with the team. The Riverhounds made the announcement Friday afternoon, acknowledging the “incident with Karl Ouimette … resulting in the termination of his contract” almost a year ago to the day.
“Romeo has shown tremendous improvement and maturity as an individual and expressed remorse for his actions last year,” Riverhounds owner Tuffy Shallenberger said in a statement. “I fully believe he is more than deserving of a second chance to help improve this club. I look forward to embracing his contributions to the Riverhounds organization both on and off the field.”
Parkes delivered a powerful one-legged kick to Ouimette’s lower back last May 8 in a game against the New York Red Bulls II at Highmark Stadium, leading to the Riverhounds releasing a player who had scored in five consecutive games, including the one for which he’ll be most remembered.
The Riverhounds released Parkes the day after his kick sent Ouimette off the field on a stretcher, and the United Soccer League suspended him indefinitely. Two months later, FIFA banned Parkes from any soccer activities until last October.
Some Riverhounds coaches and teammates came to Parkes’ defense, saying it was an uncharacteristic display of frustration and not something he should be judged on for the rest of his career. He also expressed remorse himself after the game, including tweets to Ouimette, who was not seriously hurt.
“It is with humility and excitement that I am ret ur n i n g to the Riverhounds,” Parkes, 26, said in a release Friday. “My main objective is to deliver quality soccer and exemplify sportsmanship, and have the opportunity to earn respect, both as a person and a soccer player. Not only have I learned my lesson, but I am more determined than ever to have a positive impact on my community, my team and to make a difference on the field.”
The Riverhounds expect Parkes to be available for their next game, May 13 at Ottawa. His return to Highmark Stadium would be the team’s next home game, May 20 against Louisville City FC.
Parkes’ return could be a boost for the Riverhounds. They appear to be legitimate contenders so far this USL season, sitting at 3-3-2 with 11 points — good for fourth in the Eastern Conference standings — and have won two games in a row. Parkes was the team’s leading scorer at the time of his dismissal last season.
“Romeo is a talented player, and beyond that, someone who we think can fit very well into the type of team we are building here in Pittsburgh,” said coach Dave Brandt, who replaced Mark Steffens on May 23, in a statement. “He joins a Riverhounds squad that is quite different from the one he left early last season, and he will join an already exciting and talented group that we have in the attack.”