CARY, N.C. (June 22, 2024) — In a match that began with temperatures exceeding 90 degrees, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and North Carolina FC slugged out a 0-0 draw tonight at WakeMed Soccer Park.
Chances were scarce for both teams, but North Carolina (4-5-6) goalkeeper Jake McGuire made two key saves in the final 15 minutes to keep the Hounds (3-7-6) off the board. Hounds goalkeeper Jacob Randolph did not need to make a save in recording his first professional shutout.
Hounds midfielder Kenardo Forbes came off the bench to move into sole possession of the USL Championship record for appearances with his 278th match played.
First half
Neither team recorded a shot on goal in the first half, as much of the action played out in midfield.
North Carolina won a free kick just outside the top of the box in the 25th minute, but the wall did its job with Junior Etou heading away the effort by Rodrigo da Costa.
Etou was also a menace down the left in attack, as he twice got around the edge and was pulled down just outside of the box. Robbie Mertz served both free kicks; the first was cleared by a McGuire punch, while the second was a pass laid back to Etou at the top of the box, but his low drive on net was blocked away.
Second half
Both teams pushed for a goal, but it was the Hounds who came closest late in the game with two chances in the 85th minute.
Enoch Mushagalusa made his way into the right side of the box and had room from a sharp angle, but he elected to shoot rather than cut a pass back, and McGuire parried the ball wide for a corner. From the corner came the best shot of the match, as Bradley Sample struck a side volley with power from the top of the box, but McGuire was able to get a hand to the ball and tip it over the bar.
Modelo Man of the Match
Junior Etou was the source of many of the Hounds biggest threats with his work down the left flank. His seven touches in the North Carolina box was most on the team, he was successful in 9 of 10 duels, and he won four free kicks — two on the edge of the Carolina box.
What’s next?
The Hounds wrap up June with one more road trip, this time a cross-country flight to face the Las Vegas Lights (4-7-5) at 10:30 p.m. Saturday, June 29 at Cashman Field. Las Vegas was slated to host Memphis later this evening.
Riverhounds SC lineup (3-4-2-1) — Jacob Randolph; Illal Osumanu, Pat Hogan (Pierre Cayet 45+7’), Sean Suber; Junior Etou, Danny Griffin, Jackson Walti (Bradley Sample 67’), Langston Blackstock (Dani Rovira 90’); Edward Kizza (Enoch Mushagalusa 75’), Robbie Mertz (Kenardo Forbes 75’); Kazaiah Sterling (Babacar Diene 67’)
North Carolina FC lineup (3-4-3) — Jake McGuire; Lamar Batista, Bryce Washington, Justin Malou (Paco Craig 75’); Ezra Armstrong, Mikey Maldonado, Jacori Hayes (Collin Martin 60’), Rafa Mentzingen (Shaft Brewer 60’); Louis Pérez, Oalex Anderson, Rodrigo da Costa (Evan Conway 37’)
Scoring summary
None
Discipline summary
NC — Rodrigo da Costa 32’ (caution – reckless foul)
NC — Ezra Armstrong 44’ (caution – delaying restart)
PIT — Jackson Walti 44’ (caution – tactical foul)
PIT — Danny Griffin 52’ (caution – tactical foul)
NC — Justin Malou 58’ (caution – tactical foul)
PIT — Sean Suber 64’ (caution – dissent)
