Eliot Goldthorp rescue job earns point for Riverhounds in Indy

Another three-match road swing for the Riverhounds began with a high-stakes battle of wills in the Circle City.

While a controversial first-half handball threatened to haunt the Hounds, a 91st-minute equalizer from Eliot Goldthorp ensured the points were shared in a dramatic 1-1 draw against Indy Eleven on Saturday night.

The Hounds controlled much of the early tempo, but the match turned early in the hosts’ favor. 

In the 20th minute, following an Indy corner, Josh O’Brian’s shot from top of the box struck the outstretched arm of Riverhounds’ midfielder Charles Ahl.

Despite protest that the contact was accidental and at point-blank range, the referee pointed to the spot.

Jack Blake who broke the deadlock for Indy Eleven with the penalty kick conversion in his 200th appearance with the Eleven. 

The Hounds didn’t just face their former hero, Eric Dick; they laid siege to his goal. Pittsburgh finished with 14 total shots (8 on target) and held a significant possession advantage throughout the night.

Among Dick’s most impressive saves came in the 30th minute, Robbie Mertz looked to have the opener with a low, driven shot, but Dick produced a signature full-stretch diving save to keep the clean sheet intact.

Early in the second half each side exchanged chances.

Indy Eleven nearly doubled their lead early in the half through their transition game. In the 48th minute, Aodhan Quinn sparked a fast break that ended with a Loïc Mesanvi shot whistling just wide. Minutes later, Hounds keeper Nico Campuzano was forced into a vital save to deny Bruno Rendón from the center of the box.

The Hounds responded by ramping up the set-piece pressure. In the 63rd minute, Victor Souza rose highest to meet a Sam Bassett cross, but his point-blank header was parried away by a spectacular reflex save from Dick.

Seeing the need for fresh attacking impetus, Rob Vincent turned to his bench in the 68th minute, bringing on Eliot Goldthorp for Junior Etou. The impact was immediate, as Goldthorp began finding pockets of space between Indy’s defensive lines.

As the match entered the final ten minutes, Vincent doubled down, re-introducing Robbie Mertz and bringing on Max Viera. The pressure became suffocating for Indy, who struggled to clear their lines as the Hounds forced corner after corner.

However,as play opened up late, with both keepers had to make spectacular saves.

 

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In the 89th minute, Dick nearly sealed the win for Indy with a spectacular reaction save on an Albert Dikwa blast from close range, proving why he remains one of the elite keepers in the league.

With three minutes of added time announced, the Hounds launched one final assault: Danny Griffin had a shot blocked at the edge of the area. The ball fell to Charles Ahl, whose follow-up shot was again saved by Dick in the center of the goal.The rebound from Ahl’s attempt found its way to Eliot Goldthorp. From the center of the box, Goldthorp kept his composure, picking out the bottom left corner with a right-footed strike that finally beat his former teammate.

The persistence paid off, as the Hounds’ pressure eventually forced the opening for Goldthorp’s heroics.

The drama didn’t end with the goal. In the 92nd minute, Indy thought they had a chance to snatch the win back, but Dylan Sing was caught offside.

The Hounds saw out the remaining seconds to secure a hard-earned point, proving for the first time this season an ability to fight back in hostile territory.

The Hounds (2W-2L-1D) will return to Pittsburgh for the first time since mid-March with a chance to put in a full week of training, then head back on the road for a match next Sunday at Birmingham, then at NY Red Bulls, in the US Open Cup Round of 32, on Wednesday, April 15.

Look for a more detailed recap along with reaction to follow.

Post Match Notes:

• While the draw feels like a tactical victory given the circumstances, it also extends a frustrating streak for the Hounds. With tonight’s result, the Hounds still haven’t secured a win in Indianapolis since 2022.
• In his first league match start, Lasse Kelp showed outstanding command in the center of the back line.  With 69 passes (54/69 — 78%), 10 defensive contributions including eight clearances (seven headed), seven recoveries, winning 8/12 duels.
• Danny Griffin was a workhorse in the holding midfield role, with a team high 12 defensive contributions, four tackle and six clearances, winning 8/13 duels.

• Match xG: Indy Eleven 1.14 – 1.88 Riverhounds: The Hounds dominated the quality of chances, especially in the second half. While Jack Blake’s penalty accounted for a significant portion of Indy’s xG (~0.79), the Hounds’ 1.88 xG was built on high-volume pressure and several “big chances” (shots with an xG > 0.30), including Albert Dikwa’s 89th-minute blast and Eliot Goldthorp’s eventual equalizer.

• Total Shots (Full Match): Pittsburgh 14, Indy Eleven 10
• Shots on Target: Pittsburgh 8, Indy Eleven 4
• Big Saves: Eric Dick (7), Nico Campuzano (3)
• Starting Lineups:
  • Indy Eleven (4-3-3): Eric Dick; Hayden White, Anthony Herbert, Paco Craig, Aodhan Quinn; Cam Lindley, Josh O’Brien, Jack Blake; Loïc Mesanvi, Noble Okello, Bruno Rendón.
  • Riverhounds SC (3-4-2-1): Nico Campuzano; Victor Souza, Owen Mikoy, Lasse Kelp; Perrin Barnes, Bradley Sample, Danny Griffin, Junior Etou; Charles Ahl, Sam Bassett; Albert Dikwa.