The Nightingale: Charlotte

By Richard Nightingale

Service – An act of assistance or benefit; a favor …

A spectacular run and sizzling strike by Banjo opened the scoring for Pittsburgh in the second minute. If only we had all known that was to be the only piece of quality for the rest of the game we could have found something more productive to do … like watching paint dry. Both teams worked hard on and off the ball but I was reminded of that expression “you can’t put in what God left out”. Alarming lack of quality, inventiveness, creativity and dare I say ‘ability’ on display.

A cheeky penalty by Charlotte’s Herrera leveled the score on six minutes. Mitchell the Pittsburgh goalkeeper showed a moment of indecision as he advanced to confront Spiers and clipped the Charlotte midfielder’s ankle as he reached with his outstretched hand for the ball. Wasn’t the most blatant of fouls by Mitchell but after the referee conferred with his assistant via headset, the penalty was awarded. Probably the right decision.

Charlotte had majority of possession throughout the game as Pittsburgh were content to let them knock it around at the back and as soon as they crossed the half way line went tight and pressed the ball. Clear that Pittsburgh were looking to contain and then counter all night. I was amazed to see how many times Jack bolted forwarded for Pittsburgh from his position at center half. Not sure if that was in the game plan but a different dynamic than what we have seen to date.

Earls got the start over Souto in the center of midfield and really couldn’t make any impression, being replaced by Souto at half time. Earls didn’t help his cause by being booked for a reckless challenge (who would have thought?) in the nineteenth minute. I’m sorry to say that Danny just doesn’t have the mobility and pace to play at this level anymore, role will probably be as a squad member, limited minutes this season.

Banjo did well the first half, causing the Charlotte defense problems and you always fancied him when he got isolated one on one. Sad fact was that Banjo had to create everything himself and got no service at all from his midfield. No wonder he was burned out and substituted in the seventieth minute. Aside from Kerr’s crosses from corners the service level into Charlotte’s last third was deplorable. No quality at all, no improvisation and a general lack of belief. This was not a good Charlotte team and if Pittsburgh could not break down this defense then doesn’t bode well. Hertzog was absent most of the game, just didn’t contribute period. I take that back. At the death Pittsburgh broke after a Charlotte corner and with a two on one, Hertzog fluffed an easy pass to Hollingswoth inside the Charlotte box; who would only have had to slot the ball past the keeper. Quite incredible to think that Pittsburgh could have stolen three points just like that after such an anemic display.

As I have said in past blogs Pittsburgh’s role in the USL is one of ‘Spoiler’. They will cause every team problems but not good enough, have enough players of quality to challenge for the title. Could possibly scrape into the playoffs but need some experienced signings in the midfield and in particular a playmaker. Pittsburgh is very organized but playing the system and style they do will require Brandt to have to continually rotate his starting eleven. Especially with two games in a week. Injuries have and will be a factor playing this ‘high press’ and also training on an artificial service compounds the risk of injuries. Watch the tank run dry as the season progresses.

This game was not a good advert for the USL. Having said that, a point on the road where Pittsburgh has traditionally struggled shouldn’t be sneezed at. Thankfully Charlotte had absolutely nothing up front and couldn’t have scored again if they played until next Easter. It’s now on to another away game at the old foe, Richmond. This year, a very winnable game.