Battery beat the Riverhounds in front of record crowd

Before a record-setting regular season crowd of 6,115 at Highmark Stadium, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds saw their nine-match unbeaten streak come to an end in a 2-1 defeat to the Charleston Battery. The evening began with promise for the home side, as captain Danny Griffin’s 11th-minute goal ignited the packed stands. Griffin’s finish came after a well-worked sequence that began deep in the Hounds’ half, with Robbie Mertz and Luke Biasi combining to set up Beto Ydrach’s header into Griffin’s path. His initial shot struck the post, but he calmly converted the rebound to give Pittsburgh an early advantage.

The atmosphere inside the intimate, 3,500-seat venue was electric, with fans spilling into standing areas to witness the clash between two of the Eastern Conference’s top sides. Supporters roared with each Riverhounds attack, and the early goal only heightened the energy. Charleston, however, weathered the surge and found their equalizer in first-half stoppage time. A lofted ball from MD Myers reached Rubio Rubin at the back post, and his header beat goalkeeper Eric Dick to level the score.

The second half saw the Battery capitalize on a defensive lapse in the 55th minute. After a scramble in the box, Arturo Rodriguez pounced on a loose ball and slotted it past retreating defenders to put Charleston ahead. Pittsburgh pressed for a response, with newcomer Chase Boone nearly creating the equalizer in the 74th minute, but the Battery defense held firm. The result marked Charleston’s first win in Pittsburgh since 2018 and completed a season sweep over the Hounds.

While the loss leaves Pittsburgh at 7-7-6 on the season, the night was notable for the turnout and the energy that filled Highmark Stadium. The record crowd reflected the growing support for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and the significance of the matchup. For the fans, the result was a disappointment, but the occasion underscored the club’s place as a focal point of the city’s soccer community.

(photo courtesy of Pittsburgh Riverhounds)