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USL Charlotte Independence

Second-Half Surge Powers Independence over Riverhounds

June 13, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Charlotte Independence News Release


Charlotte Independence vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Charlotte Independence vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds
(Charlotte Independence)

ROCK HILL, S.C. (June 13, 2015) - A second half salvo led the Charlotte Independence past visiting Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Despite Charlotte dictating the pace of the game for the opening 45, it was Pittsburgh who struck first in the dying embers of the first half. The Independence regrouped at halftime and midfielder Carlos Alvarez and captain Jorge Herrera bagged a goal each to pull the home side ahead.

The Independence dominated possession in the first half, but could not break down a stingy Pittsburgh defense. The first chance for Charlotte came when USL debutant forward Tomasz Zahorski got on a Herrera cross at the near post. He flicked the header across the face of goal, but just missed catching the side of the net.

It was Charlotte again in the 38th minute when midfielder Alex Martinez intercepted an errant back-pass. He was able to round his defender, but his finish sailed over the bar.

Charlotte kept the pressure high and thought it had made a break-through when Zahorski once again linked up with Herrera. He beat his man and rounded the keeper before he was whistled for offside.

Despite all the chances from Charlotte, it only took one from Pittsburgh to get on the board. The game had just entered stoppage time when Riverhounds midfielder Fejiro Okiamah fed fellow midfielder Lebo Moloto at the top of the box. It was a simple finish for Moloto and he made no mistake.

The Independence made no changes at halftime, but came out with a fury. Alvarez needed only six minutes to level the score. A quick turnover at the back from Pittsburgh fell to his feet. A lucky deflection put the ball out in front of him and he curled it into the net.

"It was a bit of a lucky break, it fell in front of me," Alvarez said. "I saw [Herrera] making a good run. I tried to get it over to him and it bounced back in front of me. There was some space so I took it."

The continued Charlotte press earned another goal when a clearly rattled Riverhounds back line surrendered a penalty 15 minutes later.

A flurry of shots from Martinez and Herrera saw the ball drop in front of Zahorski. The big man wheeled around and fired the ball low and at the corner. Pittsburgh midfielder Danny Earls was left with no choice but to palm the ball away. He was shown a red card for the ordeal and Charlotte was awarded with a penalty. Herrera stepped up and calmly slotted home, sending the keeper the wrong way with a feint.

Pittsburgh battled hard with 10 men and earned a final shot at redemption in the 85th minute when midfielder Kevin Kerr found himself alone at the back post. Kerr had only a moment to try and flick his shot at goal, but Independence goalkeeper Michael Lisch got just enough on it to deflect wide in a heart-stopping save.

"It felt a little unfair in the first half," Herrera said. "We had so many chances, but couldn't score. We had to rethink it. We went into halftime, regrouped. We believed in ourselves and in our teammates and we got the right results in the end."

The win brings the Independence to 12 points on the season, just four shy of the playoff cut.

Charlotte returns to action Wednesday, June 13, with a fourth-round Lamar Hunt US Open Cup match against MLS side New England Revolution in Boston. Kickoff is set for 7:30pm at Harvard University's Soldiers Field. The club's next USL match is scheduled for June 20 against the Charleston Battery at Charlotte's newly renovated Ramblewood Stadium.

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Charlotte Independence vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Charlotte Independence vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds
   

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