Riverhounds Clinch a Playoff Berth
Published on August 8, 2010 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
Pittsburgh, PA-On a beautiful early August evening, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (7-5-7) converted two goals in the first half and held off the Charleston Battery (10-4-5) attack to win, 2-1. In front of the largest crowd of the season (1,657), the Riverhounds clinch their first playoff berth since 2006.
The match was benchmarked as a critical meeting between the first and third place teams in the League, with the winner securing their position in the League standing. The Riverhounds locked down third place while the Battery needed a win to finish first and play host for the League Championship Match.
From the opening whistle, both Clubs played at an extremely fast pace and by-passed the midfield with direct services. For the first 10 minutes, neither side could connect on the final penetrating pass. In the 13th minute, the Battery received a penalty kick from a hard tackle from the Riverhounds' Shintaro Harada inside the eighteen. Harada was booked for the infraction and Ian Fuller stepped up to the spot. As Fuller planted to strike the ball, his left foot slid out from underneath him and he clipped the ball over the crossbar.
Four minutes later the Riverhounds received a free kick from 30 yards away from the Battery goal. Riverhounds' midfielder, Tommy Gray was up for the task and blasted a shot just inside the wall. As the ball left his foot it began to knuckle back to the right and away from the Battery's goalkeeper Tim Melia The shot slipped inside the right upright and past a diving Melia. Gray's individual effort was his first of the season and provided the Riverhounds with the early lead.
The Riverhounds continued to push forward with some crafty combinations through the middle of the field, but were called off-sides. The Battery defense held a high line and stepped quickly to catch the Riverhounds.
An overlapping run led to the Riverhounds second goal of the match. Left midfielder, Matt Tuttle spun behind his mark and overlapped the checking forward Jeremy Deighton as he set the ball for Travis MacKenzie. Seeing Tuttle break free down the flank, MacKenzie played a through ball into the left corner behind the Battery defense. Tuttle took a preparation touch and served a cross to the back post for Gray, slashing into the penalty area. Gray leaped and headed the ball to back corner, but his header was redirected off a Battery defender to the top of the penalty area were Deighton stood free. Deighton wasted little time to bury the bouncing ball into the back of the twine and put the Riverhounds up two before the break.
After intermission, the Battery came out with some energy and pressed hard into the Riverhounds defensive half. Battery defender, John Wilson played a direct ball into the Riverhounds penalty area and found Tom Heinemann all alone. Heinemann confidently tucked the ball past Hunter Gilstrap and cut the Riverhounds lead in half at the 56th minute.
The Battery would receive two quality opportunities in the closing minutes to equalize. The first came in the 78th minute on a quick switch, but Heinemann pushed the ball over the goal and out for a goal kick. The final chance to draw even came off the head of Levi Coleman. Heinemann and Coleman combined inside the penalty area with a give and go, but Coleman's header was pushed wide by Gilstrap. Coleman headed the ball straight into the ground and bouncing into the upper corner. Gilstrap's "cat-like" reflexes saw him springing back and up to parry the ball wide and out for a corner.
The Riverhounds travel to Harrisburg next Saturday to wrap up the regular season against the City Islanders (4-9-6). The match will be played at Skyline Sports Complex on City Island. Kick-Off is slated for 7:00 PM.
The Battery returns to Charleston next Saturday to play the Charlotte Eagles (5-7-7).
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 8, 2010
- Riverhounds Clinch a Playoff Berth - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
- Monarchs Get a Draw in their Home Finale - Real Maryland Monarchs
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