Not much gives as Hounds-Battery play to nil-nil draw

Hounds battled Charleston to a match that was close on every account (Photo - USL/Charleston Battery)

FINAL: Riverhounds 0, Battery 0

USL Match Center / Box Score

Here’s what happened… 

In a match featuring two of the stronger defensive sides in USL, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC and Charleston Battery battled to a nil-nil draw at MUSC Stadium in Charleston on Saturday.

With the result, the Hounds (now 6-1-7) remain in second place in USL’s Eastern Conference, with 25 points. It was their fifth scoreless draw and league leading ninth shutout as they remain unbeaten on the road (3-0-3).

It was about as evenly played match as you’ll ever see with both teams playing solid in the back and trading only a few dangerous moments in the second half.

The Hounds started to use the width a bit more in the second half — setting up five corner attempts.

The best chance came on Kenardo Forbes‘ ball in that connected with Joe Greenspan in the 65th minute.

Greenspan’s header lined toward the lower right side of goal, but Charleston’s Joe Kuzminsky sprawled to the ground to make a quick reaction save.

Greenspan, who made his first start since March 30, had a solid outing in the middle of a three man back line with five clearances, three interceptions and winning five of his six aerial duels.

In the 55th minute, Charleston’s Gordon Wild‘s free kick hit the lower part of the bar, bounced down and Greenspan came in the nick of time to clear the ball away.

The teams played to a scoreless first half, as the Riverhounds and Battery have each toyed with some chances here and there, but nothing significant. Both strong defensive sides were effective in limiting shot attempts as each team were only about to muster one shot each — neither on target.

Romeo Parkes had a solid run into the box in the early going after intercepting a pass, but his shot from a tough angle on the right side sailed wide right of the goal.

It sure was an even match on the statistics sheet too — as the teams ended in a dead heat in possession (50/50) — and many other statistical categories (shots Pgh 5-3, on target 1-1), passing accuracy (CHS 75%, PGH 74%), fouls (10-10), whereas the Hounds had the edge in crosses (19-14)

Be sure to check back on Sunday, as we’ll be posting Analysis/Player Grades from this game.

The Hounds will stay on the road, heading to Louisville, KY for a mid-week showdown with the defending USL champions at Slugger Field (7 p.m. kickoff). Pittsburgh Soccer Now will have on-site coverage from Derby City on Wednesday.

Tough result away from home! Happy we got the shutout! Next up Louisville????✊????

— Tobiloba Adewole (@TobiAdewole95) June 24, 2018

Riverhounds Starting XI and subs

GK – Dan Lynd

D- Hugh Roberts, Joe Greenspan, Tobi Adewole

MF-Ray Lee, Thomas Vancaeyezeele, Kenardo Forbes, Jordan Dover

F- Christiano Francois (Mouhamad Dabo, 67′), Kevin Kerr (Joe Holland, 87′) Romeo Parkes (Neco Brett, 60′) 

Charleston – Joe Kuzminsky – Neveal Hackshaw, Skylar Thomas, Leland Archer – Jarad van Schalk, Tah Anunga, Angelo Kelly-Rosales, O’Brian Woodbine (Jay Bolt 84’) – Kotaro Higashi (Nicholas Rittmeyer 68’), Gordon Wild (Ian Svantesson 89’) – Ataulla Guerra

Subs not used: Odisnel Cooper, Ryan Arambula, Robert Beebe, Patrick Okonkwo

Misconduct Summary:

PGH – Hugh Roberts 74’ (caution)

PGH – Joe Greenspan 82’ (caution)

FOR FAN REACTION — CHECK OUT CHS-PGH FULL90 HERE