CHARLOTTE, N.C. (September 10, 2016) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (6-16-5) saw their three-match unbeaten streak snapped, falling 4-0 on the road to the Charlotte Independence (14-7-6) at Ramblewood Stadium.
Charlotte potted two goals in each half with Brian Brown opening scoring in the 37th minute followed by two tallies by David Estrada in the 45th and 54th minute, respectively, and Jorge Herrera wrapping up the scoring in second half stoppage time.
Both squads traded bouts of possession for much of the first half with the Hounds seeing early shots on goal from Corey Hertzog and Zak Boggs saved by Independence goalkeeper John Berner. Charlotte would break through thanks to a long cross from Joel Johnson finding the head of an open Brown at the back post for the match’s first goal.
Goalkeeper Zack Steffen kept the deficit at one briefly with a stellar diving save to his right in the 42nd minute, but could not stop a Estrada header from reaching the back of the goal minutes later off a tricky assist flicked on by Enzo Martinez deep in the box.
The second half opened with the Hounds nearly cutting the deficit to one in the 53rd minute off a strong take by captain Kevin Kerr. The Hounds midfielder’s shot though found Berner in position to make a clean save. Jumping immediately on the counter, the Independence pushed the pace for a shot on net that an aggressive Steffen could not fully corral. The rebound made its way to Estrada, who popped a high header over the Hounds defense and into the goal to push the Charlotte lead to three.
Pittsburgh would continue to apply pressure, pouring on a season-best 12 shots in the second half and forcing Berner to make multiple tough saves, but could not break through. Herrera’s late tally came right at the start of second half stoppage time, as the Independence midfielder was able to convert a take past Steffen at the top of the box.
For the Hounds, the loss extends their winless streak against Charlotte to five, while Berner recorded his second clean sheet of the season against the club – saving all 12 shots faced on goal in the two head-to-head meetings.
Pittsburgh finished the match with 15 shots – the sixth time in the past seven matches the club has recorded double-digit shot totals – and was led by Kerr and Chevaughn Walsh, who each recorded three shots.
The Hounds now return home to face FC Cincinnati (13-6-7) in the first of two matches this month at Highmark Stadium on Wednesday, September 14. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. For more information, visit www.riverhounds.com.
Line-ups:
Riverhounds – Zack Steffen – Marshall Hollingsworth (Cristian Martinez 46′), Sergio Campbell, Willie Hunt, Zak Boggs – Lebo Moloto (Nick Thompson 66′), Ryan Adeleye (Stephen Okai 63′), Kevin Kerr – Corey Hertzog, Mike Green (Drew Russell 82′), Chevaughn Walsh (Jack Thompson 78′)
Subs not used: Brenden Alfery, Jordan Murrell
Charlotte Independence – John Berner – Bilal Duckett, Joseph Greenspan, Joel Johnson, Henry Kalungi – Jun Marques Davidson (Aly Hassan 86′), Lewis Hilton (Paul Clowes 73′), Enzo Martinez (Jorge Herrera 73′) – Brian Brown (Norberto Ochoa 86′), David Estrada, Alex Martinez (Yann Ekra 73′)
Subs not used: Cody Mizell, Jack Metcalf
Scoring Summary:
CLT – Brian Brown 37′ (Joel Johnson)
CLT – David Estrada 45′ (Enzo Martinez)
CLT – David Estrada 54′
CLT – Jorge Herrera 90+1 (Aly Hassan)
Misconduct Summary:
PGH – Zak Boggs 47′ (caution)
CLT – David Estrada 90′ (caution)