CHARLESTON (April 30, 2016) – The Hounds fight hard, but a costly penalty leads to just one point coming back to Pittsburgh.
Pittsburgh keeper Hunter Gilstrap was put into action for the opening of the first half recording several saves to keep the Hounds in contention.
Charleston kept their attacking pressure on the Hounds’ back line and the shots followed although few were on the mark.
The tide changed in the thirtieth minute when Romeo Parkes showed great patience and control while being pressured by several defenders. The Jamaican forward then calmly slotted his shot into the Battery’s goal to give Pittsburgh the lead.
Gilstrap then merited a caution for delay of game in the thirty eighth minute.
The Battery returned the score line to even when head official, Howard Ash, granted a penalty for some contact in the box during a Charleston corner kick. Justin Portillo then stood up to take the penalty and put it past Gilstrap.
The Hounds return to Highmark Stadium Saturday, May 7th, at 7 p.m. against New York Red Bulls II for a rematch of last year’s playoff battle.
Line-ups:
Riverhounds – Hunter Gilstrap – Isaiah Schafer (Conor Branson 80’), Sergio Campbell, Willie Hunt, Chad Barson (Mike Green 50’) – Zak Boggs (Drew Russell 73’), James Bissue (Lebo Moloto 72’), Ben Swanson (Corey Hertzog 64’), Kevin Kerr (c) – Marshall Hollingsworth – Romeo Parkes
Subs not used: Mauricio Vargas, Alex Harlley
Charleston – Odisnel Cooper, Quinton Griffith, Taylor Mueller, Shawn Ferguson (c) – Obrian Woodbine, Dante Marini, Neveal Hackshaw, Justin Portillo, Maikel Chang – Ataulla Guerra (Ricky Garbanzo 45’), Romario Williams (Chris Tsonis 86’)
Subs not used: Alexander Tambakis, Forrest Lasso, Emmanuel Adjetey, Austin Savage
Scoring Summary:
PGH – Romeo Parkes 30’
CHS – Justin Portillo 66’ (penalty)
Misconduct Summary:
PGH – Hunter Gilstrap 38’ (caution)