Watch CBS News

Hunt's Late Goal Not Enough As Charlotte Silences Hounds

CHARLOTTE, N.C. (Aug. 22, 2015) - The Pittsburgh Riverhounds could not shake off the Charlotte Independence's late United Soccer League playoff push for the second week running Saturday with a 2-1 loss at Charlotte's Ramblewood Stadium.

Independence forward Ryan Finley had salvaged a point for the first-year team at Highmark Stadium last Saturday night when he gained a yard on Pittsburgh's defense to head home a Carlos Alvarez corner kick. This week it was Daniel Jackson finding space to convert an Enzo Martinez delivery to put Charlotte on the path toward a vital three points.

Martinez doubled the hosts' lead in the first half before Willie Hunt notched a late consolation with his first goal for the Hounds.

The defeat keeps Pittsburgh in the sixth and final playoff spot with 32 points (9-9-5). Charlotte advanced to 29 points (7-6-8) with a game in hand on the Hounds.

Hounds head coach Mark Steffens made three changes from last week's meeting. Tyler Pasher was handed his first start since Pittsburgh's 2-1 loss during its previous trip to Charlotte on June 13. The Canadian took up an advanced role alongside Max Touloute as Steffens looked to utilize the speed of both players.

Recent arrival Ben Newnam made his first start for the Hounds after making his debut last weekend against his former Independence teammates.

Mike Green and Stephen Okai dropped to the bench. Kevin Kerr missed the trip through suspension after picking up his fifth yellow card of the year last week.

Charlotte got off to the perfect start with Jackson's header beating Hounds goalkeeper Ryan Thompson in the sixth minute. Touloute came within inches of an instant response when he picked the ball up outside the Independence's penalty area seconds after the restart and chipped a left-foot shot that beat goalkeeper John Berner before rebounding off the post.

Pittsburgh's revamped offense struggled to create openings during the remainder of the first half. Martinez gave Charlotte a two-goal cushion on 38 minutes when Patrick Slogic released Alvarez down the left wing to supply a pinpoint cross.

The Hounds' leading goal scorer Rob Vincent almost provided a lifeline on 61 minutes when he thumped a 25-yard shot off Berner's crossbar. Hunt finally put the visitors on the board on 89 minutes when he looped a header over Berner from Danny Earls' inswinging free kick.

Captain Earls was shown a red card during the teams' first meeting two months ago. He suffered a similar fate in stoppage time after a scuffle sparked by his tough tackle on Paolo DelPiccolo.

Finley was dismissed first after a heated argument with Newnam as the Independence players overreacted to Earls' challenge. Referee Jeremy Smith then evened up the sides at 10 men apiece after some prompting from DelPiccolo.

A first trip to expansion team Louisville City closes out the month on Aug. 29. Kickoff at Slugger Field is set for 7:30 p.m. Hounds fans will be able to watch a live stream of the game on Riverhounds.com.

The Hounds return to Highmark Stadium on Sept. 5 for another vital game against a playoff rival when the Charleston Battery makes its only trip to the Steel City of the regular season.

Visit Riverhounds.com for ticket information or call the Highmark Stadium box office on (412) 325-7241 to speak to a representative.

Scoring Summary:
CLT - Daniel Jackson 6' (Enzo Martinez)
CLT - Enzo Martinez 38' (Carlos Alvarez)
PGH - Willie Hunt 89' (Danny Earls)

Misconduct Summary:
PGH - Lebo Moloto 34' (caution)
CLT - Tomasz Zahorski 34' (caution)
CLT - Enzo Martinez 61' (caution)
PGH - Rob Vincent 87' (caution)
CLT - Ryan Finley 90+' (dismissal)
PGH - Danny Earls 90+' (dismissal)
PGH - Ben Newnam 90+' (caution)

Line-ups:
Riverhounds - Ryan Thompson, Willie Hunt, Anthony Arena, Fejiro Okiomah (Miro Cabrilo 69'), Matt Dallman (Amara Soumah 88'), Danny Earls, Rob Vincent, Ben Newnam, Lebo Moloto, Tyler Pasher, Max Touloute (Boris Zivanovic 74')

Charlotte Independence - John Berner, Patrick Slogic, Mechack Jerome, Bilal Duckett, Henry Kalungi, Andrew Ribeiro, Carlos Alvarez (Jack Metcalf 80'), Paolo Del Piccolo, Enzo Martinez (Michael Bustamante 83'), Daniel Jackson (Raphael Cox 70'), Tomasz Zahorski (Ryan Finley 74')

Officials:
Jeremy Smith (referee), Clive Edwards, Robert Dail (assistants), Doug Hartemann (fourth official)

Join The Conversation On The KDKA Facebook Page
Stay Up To Date, Follow KDKA On Twitter

View CBS News In
CBS News App Open
Chrome Safari Continue
Be the first to know
Get browser notifications for breaking news, live events, and exclusive reporting.