(Aug. 14, 2021) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC dropped a tough road loss to the Charlotte Independence, 1-0, on Saturday night at American Legion Memorial Stadium in Charlotte, N.C.
Enzo Martinez scored the only goal less than two minutes into the second half for Charlotte (8-7-2), as the Hounds (10-6-3) were stagnant on offense and got shut out for the first time in 12 matches. It is also just the third time the Hounds have lost consecutive games in four seasons under coach Bob Lilley.
The match, which was the first time the teams met at Charlotte’s new home stadium, was delayed by 30 minutes because of heavy rain and storms in the area. The wet surface affected both teams but seemed to be harder on the Hounds, who mustered just six shots and only one on goal.
First half
Charlotte started out the more promising of the two teams, and they outshot the Hounds in the first half, 5-2. But the Independence had a hard time hitting the target with just one shot on goal.
The lone shot was a great chance for Brandt Bronico in the 30th minute, who got an open header inside the six-yard box from a free kick, but Hounds goalkeeper Danny Vitiello made a reflex save to parry the ball downward and cover it before it could cross the goal line.
Charlotte then put the ball into the net in the 41st minute, but Martinez’s would-be goal was waved off for offside.
Second half
A much different half played out after the break, and Alex Dixon nearly caught Charlotte napping with a curling shot that missed just high only 20 seconds into the half.
But Charlotte finally found the net going the other direction, as Irvin Parra was able to get down the right flank and serve a low pass to Martinez in the middle. Martinez slid for the ball and got the touch needed to get it between defender Shane Wiedt and Vitiello for the 47th-minute goal.
The Hounds began to press forward more after that point, and they finished with 55 percent of possession in the game. But the time on the ball didn’t equal chances, as a long-range effort by Dixon forced the only save of former Hounds goalie Austin Pack in the Charlotte goal.
Hounds Man of the Match
Danny Griffin was one of the few Hounds players who was able to keep his feet on the soggy grass, and he was valuable in the sloppy conditions. He completed 52 of 66 passes (78.8 percent), both second on the team, and he also won 7 of 10 duels while winning the ball away from Charlotte a team-best 13 times.
What’s next?
Things won’t get any easier for the Hounds next week, as another two-match week starts with a home game against the Tampa Bay Rowdies (11-7-0) at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Highmark Stadium. The Rowdies defeated Hartford, 1-0, on Friday night to retake first place in the Atlantic Division, but the top spot will be up for grabs again Wednesday.
Riverhounds SC lineup (3-4-3) — Danny Vitiello; Preston Kilwien (Ezra Armstrong 79’), Shane Wiedt, Mekeil Williams (Jalen Robinson 79’); Louis Pérez (Dani Rovira 71’), Danny Griffin, Kenardo Forbes, Todd Wharton (Anthony Velarde 71’); Tommy Williamson, Alex Dixon, Russell Cicerone
Charlotte Independence (3-4-3) — Austin Pack; Christian Fuchs, Hugh Roberts, Kevin Riascos; Adam Armour (Clay Dimick 81’), Brandt Bronico, Marcelo Palomino (Distel Zola 90+2’), Joel Johnson; Enzo Martinez (Valentin Sabella 81’), Irvin Parra (Jordan Bender 90+2’), Sylvain Marveaux (Dane Kelly 68’)
Scoring summary
CLT — Enzo Martinez 47’ (Irvin Parra)
Discipline summary
PIT — Preston Kilwien 29’ (caution – persistent infringement)
CLT — Valentin Sabella 83’ (caution – delaying restart)
PIT — Alex Dixon 87’ (caution – unsporting behavior)
