(Charlotte, NC) - The Charlotte Eagles hosted the Pittsburgh Riverhounds tonight at Restart Field. Charlotte and Richmond battled to an exciting 2-2 tie.
Dustin Swinehart scored the first goal of the match, and his eighth of the season to lead the league. The goal came from a penalty kick in the 12th minute. Robert Ssejjemba drew a foul on a breakaway set up by a through ball from Swinehart. Ssejjemba blazed forward into the box and was taken down by goalkeeper Phil Marfuggi. Swinehart stepped up to take the penalty kicked and scored with a power shot to the right side.
Ssejjemba Draws Foul Leading to Swineharts opening Goal
Although Charlotte had the 1-0 lead at the end of the half, Pittsburgh had their share of opportunities and possession in the half. Pittsburgh out-shot Charlotte 11-6 in the half.
The Riverhounds scored the equalizer nine minutes into the second half to draw even at 1-1. Pittsburgh was fired up coming into the second half and caught Charlotte in a period of sloppy play. Substitute midfielder Allan Brown set up the goal with a pass onto the run of Jason Kutney. Kutney darted down the right side and roofed a shot over the left shoulder of Charlotte goalkeeper Terry Boss and into the top corner. Pittsburgh had a few more close chance in the following 5 minutes of play as the Charlotte defense tried to get settled and organized.
Jorge Herrera had the next strong chance in the 59th minute with a ball dropped back to him in the middle. Herrera ran onto the ball and drilled a low shot to the left side of the net, but Herrera's shot caught the outside edge of the post.
Pittsburgh took its first lead of the game in the 65th minute off a free kick in the middle of the field from about 30 yards out from the Charlotte goal. Jeon Roben Jerome took the free kick and bent a ball over the wall. Terry Boss dove to his left catching at piece of the shot, but the ball deflected to the inside of the right post and carried into the net.
The second half continued and heated up with intense action from end to end. Danny Harvey entered the match in the 71st minute, and Coach Steffens substitution choice paid off when Harvey scored the equalizer four minutes later. The play built form the right side. Dustin Swinehart carried the ball into the center at the top of the box with the Pittsburgh defense back on their heals. Swinehart slotted at pass to the left side for Harvey with space. Harvey took one touch and then fired a low shot to the far post. Marfuggi dove for the shot, but had no chance at the well placed shot drilled with pace.
The Eagles play in the first round of the US Open Cup for their next match on Tuesday, June 10th at Restart Field. Kickoff is slated for 7:00 pm as the Eagles play host to the Clearwater Galactic of the USASA. Tickets for the US Open Cup match will be available for sale on the Charlotte Eagles website beginning on Saturday, June 7th. Purchase your tickets in advance for the Open Cup Tournament match by midnight on Monday, June 9th and get the special advanced Open Cup rate of $5.00 for all advance tickets. Tickets will also be available at the gate for $10 for adults and $7.00 for youth. Eagles season tickets are not valid for the Open Cup Tournament Games.
