Team Summary - Pittsburgh Riverhounds

Players: Hunter Gilstrap, Jason Kutney (Ed Hayden 90’), Niko Katic (Lee Kouadio-Tobey 79’), Louit Rolko, Sterling Flunder, Matt Tuttle (Mike Seth 74’), Nathan Salsi (Adam Gazda 85’), Travis MacKenzie, Alex Weekes, Matt Baker (Chad Severs 46’), Tommy Gray

Shots: 7
Saves: 2
Fouls: 5
Offsides: 0
Corners: 3
Cautions: Gazda 85’ (UB)

Team Summary - Charlotte Eagles

Players: Corbin Waller, Josh Rife, Greg Dalby, Ramy Safi, Brady Bryant, Jorge Herrera, Jo Connor, Darren Toby, Desmond Tachie (Ben Page 63’), Miguel Ferrer (Chris Lemons 66’), Gustavo Bentos (Leo Gibson 73’)

Pittsburgh, PA—On a beautiful July night, the Eagles (5-5-3) handed the Riverhounds (3-4-5) a disappointing loss at home to end their five game unbeaten streak and secure third place in the league.

The match began with sloppy play on both sides of the ball, but the Eagles settled in after 10 minutes by cleaning up second balls and moving quickly into the attack. Midfielder, Jorge Herrera was sitting behind the Eagles strikers finding the holes allowing him to transition into the Riverhounds defensive third but couldn’t connect with his teammates on the final penetrating pass.

With a scoreless forty-five minutes, the play began to open up early in the second half. The Eagles direct style of play allowed the Riverhounds to attack down the flanks and whip balls into the penalty area only to see the Eagles defenders clear the ball out of danger and begin the counter attack.

The Eagles’ Herrera opened the scoring with a full-volley into the bottom right corner of the goal from eighteen yards out. The Eagles built a nice combination in the middle third and played a direct ball deep into the right corner. The ensuing cross was served to the back post where Gustavo Bentos headed the cross back to the on-running Herrera, who confidently struck the full volley and put the Eagles up in the 58th minute.

Trailing in the match, the Riverhounds started to play high pressure in each third of the field. The pressure created multiple one-on-one situations all over the pitch. In the 77th match, Jason Kutney beat Herrera down the right flank only to see Herrera take a professional foul and receive his second caution of the game and was sent off.

Playing up a man, the Riverhounds pushed into the attacking third with urgency, but fell to a counter attack by the Eagles. Outside back, Ramy Safi served a deep diagonal ball from left to right for Chris Lemons at the back post. Lemons first touch took him away from the first defender and provided enough space to fire a shot past Riverhounds goalkeeper, Hunter Gilstrap and put the Eagles up two in the 85th minute.

Pressing forward, the Riverhounds received a corner and the ensuing service was handled by an Eagle defender resulting in a penalty kick in the 90th minute. Alex Weekes stepped up to the stripe and stuck a right footed shot off of the right up-right deflecting back into the scrum to find Adam Gazda following up the penalty to tuck the bouncing ball into the empty net

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With seconds remaining the Riverhounds nearly equalized on a cross from Lee Kouadio-Tobey intended for Travis MacKenzie. The cross was just inches high off MacKenzie’s head and skimmed high and wide of the goal.

The up and down roller coaster was exciting for the 1,123 spectators in attendance, but resulted in a disappointing loss for the home side.

The Riverhounds return to action on Thursday, July 15th against the Kickers (5-3-4). Charlotte travels to Harrisburg (1-6-4) for a match tonight at Skyline Sports Complex.