RIVERHOUNDS GAME NIGHT – Live Blog (vs Charleston Battery 9/5/15)

I will be doing something a little different tonight. As the Riverhounds take on the Charleston Battery, I’ll also be keeping track with a live blog, along with occasional updates of the other games of interest to Riverhounds fans.
Despite a pretty strong line of storms that blew through the area, we are on schedule here at Highmark Stadium as the teams finish with their warm-up.
Current USL Eastern Conference standings:
Rochester 53 pts
Louisville City 48 pts
NY Red Bulls II 39 pts
Charleston 39 pts
Richmond 36 pts
Charlotte 36 pts
**PLAYOFF LINE**
Riverhounds 35 pts
Harrisburg 34 pts
Saturday Games of interest:
Charleston at Pittsburgh 7pm
Rochester at Richmond 7pm
Wilmington at Charlotte 7pm
NY Red Bulls II at Louisville City 8:30pm
Sunday
Harrisburg at St. Louis
Riverhounds Lineup:
Here’s the Riverhounds starting eleven and subs:
Starting XI
Calle Brown (GK), Anthony Arena, Willie Hunt, Ben Newnam, Sterling Flunder, Kevin Kerr, Danny Earls, Lebo Moloto, Boris Zivanovic, Matt Dallman, Mike Green
Substitutes
Ryan Hulings (GK), Miro Cabrilo, Drew Russell, Fejiro Okiomah, Amara Soumah, Tyler Pasher and Vini Dantas
(POSTED 6:30 p.m)

(POSTED 6:56 p.m.)
Neither team giving an inch for most of the first half.  The Riverhounds controlled possession for long stretches — especially in the opening stages.
But Charleston is the second best defending side in USL, and showing that they’re a tough back line to crack.
Kevin Kerr, returning after sitting last week, is in more of a central midfield role, has been free lancing a bit, and when making runs forward he’s been dangerous a few times.   Including getting into the box after a nice 1-2 with Mike Green in the 13th minute, then finding Lebo Moloto, who appeared to slip a bit on the wet turf when trying to get a shot from the top of the box.
Charleston sent a few dangerous low lining crosses toward Calle Brown, but the rookie goalkeeper has held his own thus far.   After a pair of corner kicks in the 21st minute, the Battery appeared to get a rebound from a Brown save into the net for the go-ahead goal, but were called offside.
Both teams also used substitutions, as it appeared that Heviel Cordoves went down with a leg injury in the 28th minute, and he was replaced by noted Riverhounds nemisis, Dane Kelly.
Mark Steffens also went to his bench — bringing in Tyler Pasher for Ben Newnam.  It didn’t appear that Newnam had any glaring injury.   Pasher was moved to the left outside wing spot, Matt Dallman slid to outside back while Boris Zivanovic moved to the right outside wing position.
(Posted 8:07 pm – HALFTIME)
Both of the other games of interest to the Riverhounds (Richmond hosting Rochester and Wilmington at Charlotte) have moved into the second half — and like the Hounds-Battery, they are scoreless.  It’s pretty much expected that this time of the year these will be tight contests with little room for error for all teams.
Hounds coach Mark Steffens comes out of the locker room way before most of his team.   Must have been a short halftime talk.
(Posted 8:11 pm)
In the 52nd minute, the Hounds strike first.   After a hard collision between Lebo Moloto and Tyler Pasher on a Pittsburgh counter attack after a Charleston corner, the referee Bernhard Hosu awarded a free kick to the Hounds from about 35 yards from goal on the left side.
That was all that Matt Dallman and Kevin Kerr needed.
Dallman’s bending free kick toward the far post connected with Kerr to give the Hounds a 1-0 lead.

(Posted 8:31 pm)
As the Hounds hang on in late stages — some good news from Charlotte…

John Krysinsky

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).