Game Summary

The Charlotte Eagles enter the final regular season home game knowing they have secured a playoff spot, but working hard to keep a winning streak alive and to remain in first place in the USL 2^nd Division.  The Pittsburgh Riverhounds have had a tough season in 2005 after posting the best record in the league in 2004.  They are also coming off a tough 1 – 1 tie with Wilmington the night before, so Charlotte was the better rested of the two teams.

The Eagles almost got a break in the first 30 seconds of the game.  A back pass to the keeper by a Hounds defender was too casual and it was a foot race between Lucas Heasley and Jacob Coggins to see who would get a foot on the ball first.  Heasley just barely got to the ball first was able to send the ball sailing out of bounds and out of danger.  The Eagles dominated possession throughout the early part of the game and put almost constant pressure on the Hounds defense.  The Hounds were equal to the challenge and defended well.

The Eagles put the ball into the net in the 16^th minute, but it was waived off on a controversial call.  Andy Guastaferro made a quick run up the right side and beat the Hounds defense.  Andy took the ball all the way to the end line and sent in a beautiful cross that found a waiting Dustin Swinehart.  Swinehart headed the ball into the net, easily beating keeper Heasley.  The side official ruled the ball had crossed the end line, so the goal was not allowed.  A similar play in the 19^th minute was just cleared by the Hounds defense. 

The Eagles Ricardo Ordain put the home team on the board first in the 32nd minute.  The Eagles pushed the ball forward for Swinehart, who took the ball all the way to the end line.  Swinehart cut the ball back and passed across to Ordain on the left side.  Ordain hit a one touch shot, beating Heasley at the top left corner of the goal.  This was Ordains fifth goal in the last four games and the only score of the first half.

The second half started much as the first half ended.  The Eagles continued to control possession and tempo.  In the 51^st minute, Jacob Coggins made a good run up the left side.  Coggins sent a hard pass back to the top of the eighteen-yard box to Ishmael Mintah.  Mintah one-touched a bullet on target but keeper Heasley made a good play and deflected the ball to the side.  Off the resulting corner kick, Dustin Swinehart got to the ball cleanly and headed a shot just wide to the left.  In the 60^th minute, the Eagles had a throw-in deep in Hounds territory.  The pass was back-headed by Coggins to a waiting Swinehart who executed a beautiful bicycle kick but the ball was slightly high and went over the top cross bar.

The first really good chance for the Hounds came in the 62^nd minute.  Off a corner kick, David Flavius found an opening and took a quick shot.  Charlotte keeper Chris McClellan made an excellent diving save to prevent the goal. 

Another good scoring chance for the Eagles came in the 67^th minute.  Coggins fought off several defenders and got off a clean header that sailed just wide to the right.  In the 69^th minute, the Eagles pressure paid off with a goal that proved to be the game winner.  The Eagles midfield was applying tremendous pressure and Ricardo Ordain made a steal near on the Hounds end of the field.  He quickly passed the ball to Chris Lemons who drove the ball quickly into the heart of the Hounds defense – drawing the defenders to him.  At the last instant, Chris neatly flicked the ball to a breaking Jacob Coggins who turned and chipped the shot high as keeper Heasley went low.  It was a beautiful play and there was little the Hounds defense could have done to stop it.

In stoppage time, the referee who had allowed rough play to go on all night decided to tighten up.  Unfortunately, he did so on a clean play.  The Hounds pressed the ball deep into the offensive end on a quick counter play.  Josh Rife, who played a great game, made a clean tackle to clear the ball out of danger.  It was a mystery to all at the game, but a penalty kick was awarded to the Hounds.  Matthew Mehler took the kick and beat keeper McClellan with a hard shot to the left.

Final Thoughts

This was a good win for the Eagles against a tough Riverhounds team.  If the Eagles win their remaining game they will win the regular season title.  Either way, they have locked up one of the top two seeds for the playoffs.  Patrick Daka missed the game with a pulled hamstring but he is expected to be available against Wilmington.

Game Statistics

Scoring Summary

Cautions/Ejections

Substitutions

Referee: Jeff Muschik

Assistant Referee: Francisco Risso

Assistant Referee: Brandon Marion

4^th Official: Daniel Burak