Courtesy of Charlotte Eagles

2008/08/01

(Pittsburgh, PA) - The Charlotte Eagles faced the Pittsburgh Riverhounds tonight in the first of a two game road trip. Jorge Herrera and Jonah Long each scored one to lead Charlotte to a 2-1 victory over the hounds. Charlotte's win clinches a first round bye in the playoffs to the semi-finals.

Charlotte tallied first when Jorge Herrera knocked in a goal from about 17-yards out. It was set up by some nice, quick touches by the Eagles' side. Robert Ssejjemba put it right to Herrera's boot. Herrera held it for what seemed to be an eternity before he jammed it past Pittsburgh's Zach Varga in the 37th minute.

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds' only goal came on a Justin Evans penalty kick in the 39th minute after John Robens Jerome was tackled by Charlotte Eagles goalkeeper Terry Boss on a Pittsburgh attack. Evans' off-speed shot to the lower right got by Boss to make it a 1-1 match, just two minutes after the Eagles scored.

The game-winner came on a long delivery, ironically by Jonah Long. He rocketed one above Varga from about 30-yards out, as Charlotte weaved its way up the pitch on an attack. The assist came from Patrick Daka in the 79th minute.

Charlotte strengthened its hold on first place in the United Soccer Leagues Second Division with the victory. Pittsburgh is still fighting for its playoff life, and will have to watch the rest of the USL-2 scoreboard to determine if they are still alive.
Tomorrow night the Eagles will face the Cleveland City Stars in Cleveland. The Eagles return to home field action at Restart Field on Friday, August 8th to host the Cleveland City Stars in the Eagles final regular season match. Visit www.Charlotteeagles.com to purchase your tickets. Tickets purchased prior to the day of the game are at the $2.00 off advanced discount rate.