Photo courtesy Charleston Battery
In a tightly contested match on a very warm night in the low country, USL Championship’s longest running rivals, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and Charleston Battery played to nil-nil draw at Patriots Point Park in Charleston, SC, on Saturday night.
The result keeps the Hounds (3-5-5, 14 points) winless in their last five league matches.
Despite conceding the possession battle, Pittsburgh carried numerous possessions deep into the final third, but once again, the failed to convert on a few big chances.
Danny Griffin nearly got the go-ahead goal in the 11th minute, after taking a one-time shot from 20 yards off a previously deflected Junior Etou chance.
Late in the second half, a pair of subs, nearly connected for the Hounds, when Pierre Cayet’s left footed cross from the corner, found Kenardo Forbes in perfect position in the middle of the box, but Forbes’ header chance sailed just left of goal.
Hounds keeper Eric Dick came up with two saves to pick up the clean sheet, as the Hounds limited Charleston’s chances to difficult angle shots in and outside the box.
Pittsburgh will stay on the road, traveling to Hartford next Saturday, still seeking their fourth win of the season.
We’ll have a more detailed match report to follow.
Match Log
90′ — only two minutes of stoppage time
90′ — Pierre Cayet sets up Kenardo Forbes with a chance from a left footed cross — on a platter — but Forbes’ header goes wide! Another missed big chance for the Hounds.
85′ — With additional subs, Hounds alter formation a bit going with 5 in the back now.
81′ — SUB — HOUNDS
- IN: Luke Biasi, Pierre Cayet
- OUT: Langston Blackstock, Pat Hogan
75′ – Edward Kizza picks up a yellow card for missing on a challenge into Mark Segbers near the center stripe.
67′ – Gutierrez on probably his first touch of the ball tries a volley from a sharp angle for the Battery. He hits it with power, but it sails over the bar.
Josh Drack and Diego Gutierrez enter in place of Nate Dossantos and Emilio Ycaza 🔄
65′ | 0-0#CHSvPIT | #CB93 #FortifyAndConquer pic.twitter.com/EjXylT56rL
— Charleston Battery (@Chas_Battery) June 9, 2024
56′ — SUBS for Hounds
- IN: Bradley Sample and Kenardo Forbes
- OUT: Robbie Mertz and Jackson Walti
54′ – Etou gets position on Segbers and draws the foul near the Battery box. Hounds go quickly and whip a ball in, but Charleston clears.
52′ – Mertz has a try from the top of the 18 as the defender doesn’t close out, but he doesn’t place it well enough and it’s saved by the keeper.
51′ – Jackson Walti receives the match’s first yellow card. He broke up the transition by the Battery at midfield after the Hounds lost the ball on their own attack.
HALF — PITTSBURGH 0, CHARLESTON 0
The Hounds should be somewhat encouraged with this effort through 45 minutes, but again, its much of the same script, still nothing to show for it.
Stats:
Possession — CHS 68% / PIT 32%
Shots – CHS 7 PIT 6 (on target PIT 2 CHS 1)
That’s a foul (!?)#CHSvPIT pic.twitter.com/EyjX0zesZy
— Pittsburgh Soccer Now (@pghsoccernow) June 9, 2024
30′ — Through 30 minutes — Hounds being outpossessed 70/30, but are more ambitious and aggressive in final third – with 6-1 (2-0 on target) shots edge. They’re knocking on the door again.
11′ — First Junior Etou’s shot in the box is blocked, but Danny Griffin gets the deflection from just outside the box — and sends a rocket that forces a diving save! The Hounds captain feeling his oats after scoring one from there last week.
Starting Lineups
