USL Championship Week 1
FINAL: Charleston Battery 2, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC 1
Live statistics: USL Championship Match Center
Instant Match Summary
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC couldn’t carry momentum from last season’s USL Championship title-winning run into its season opener as the Charleston Battery took control early and mostly controlled play in a 2-1 win at Patriots Point Soccer Stadium in Mount Pleasant, South Carolina on Saturday night.
“I don’t think you can make the argument that Charleston didn’t edge us and deserve the win, but we had chances there in the second half to get a second goal, and we could have come away with at least a draw,” Rob Vincent, Riverhounds Head Coach, said.
“Both goals were avoidable, so that’s something we’ll look at and try to improve.”
Former Riverhound defender Sean Suber scored on a late first half header, then early in the second half, Wilmer Cabrera found the back of the net on a brilliant first touch then finish from 17 yards.
The Hounds (0-0-1) responded 10 minutes after falling down by a pair of goals, converting on a counter into the box, when Charles Ahl’s short cross was knocked into goal by Charleston defender Nathan Messer, who was trying to deny Albert Dikwa’s chance.
Pittsburgh had a dynamite chance to equalize in stoppage time, when one-time Rivehrounds Luis Zumudio denied another own goal after Trevor Amann’s shot deflects off Charleston defender.
Riverhounds goalkeeper, Nico Campuzano, made four saves in his debut with the club.
This result was the fourth straight win for Charleston (1-0-0) in the series between the league’s longest-running rivals, dating back to 1999. Charleston also beat Pittsburgh twice last season by 2-1 scores.
By surrendering a pair of goals the Riverhounds allowed a goal for the first time in 677 minutes of play including last postseason and the last regular season matches.
Look for a more detailed recap and reaction to follow.
Match Day Updates
Look for starting lineups, in-match updates and commentary here during the match.
FINAL — CHARLESTON 2, PITTSBURGH 1
91 +3 — SAVE!! Gui Vacter come out of nowhere to deny a walk in chance for Charleston after Nico Campuzano slips trying to play ball from Junior Etou.
91′ +2 — SAVE!! Zumudio with a great stop — denying potentially another own Goal after Trevor Amann’s shot deflects off Charleston defender.
80′ — SUBS — Brigham Larsen and Jackson Walti come on for Hounds (Danny Griffin and Charles Ahl are out )
It’s a three forward front line for the Hounds searching for the equalizer.
71′ — SAVE!! Campuzano — from a crazy angle lifts leg and denies Colton Swan in the box
65′ — SUBS — Trevor Amann and Max Viera both on for Hounds (Bradley Sample and Perrin Barnes out)
62′ — GOAL!! — CHARLESTON 2, PITTSBURGH 1
It’s an own goal. Great work by Hounds to transition into box. Charles Ahl gets to edge of goal box, then cuts pass across intended for Albert Dikwa. Instead, Charleston defender Nathan Messer in an attempt to step into the passing lane, sends the ball into the back of the net.
54′ — Chance from Beto Ydrach! Long range shot from 27 yards flies through but misses right of the post.
52′ — GOAL — CHARLESTON 2, PITTSBURGH 0
Wimer Cabrera with a beautiful one-time finish from just inside the top of the box after one-touch build-up from the left side.
Hounds really in a pickle now.
50′ — ball in from Charleston — Campuzano bobbles the initial intake but recovers.
48′ — SAVE! Campuzano comes way off his line — and makes himself big, denying a shot by
46′ — No changes for either side as second half starts.
HALF — CHARLESTON 1, PITTSBURGH 0
The Riverhounds worked their way back into the match after a shaky start. Charleston with edge in shots (5-2, 3-2 on target) and possession (60/40).
Set piece proved to be the difference — with big time finish by Sean Suber. Hounds Nico Campuzano with two outstanding saves.
Reaching out to support groupsIt’s been so long since we’ve been scored on. Ive forgotten this feeling entirely 😔
— Steel Army (@steelarmy.bsky.social) 2026-03-07T23:59:35.812Z
First half
45′ + 1 — GOAL — CHARLESTON — SEAN SUBER
Former Riverhound carves out space for himself in middle of box — and delivers a well struck header.
45′ — Three minutes added on for stoppage time.
45′ — Charleston with back-to-back corners. First one — Dikwa blocks shot!
44′ — Etou fouled again on left side of attacking third. Bassett taking the free kick this time. Inswinger is cleared out.
37′ — Long range effort from Bradley Sample is grabbed by Zamudio. No real danger on that one.
33′ — Shot on goal for Hounds! Charles Ahl dives forward with header inside post but Luis Zumudio is there to stop it.
30′ — Things really opening up both ways. Ends with Campuzano with a brilliant recovery on back pass where he finds Charles Ahl down the left sideline. Ahl gets into final third but pass for Danny Griffin in box doesn’t have enough pace.
28′ — Dikwa fouled. Hounds with first free kick on attacking side of field. Sloppy delivery on free kick and it’s easily cleared by Charleston.
27′ — Hounds starting to finally build some passes through middle and into final third.
22′ — Through this point, Charleston remains in control (70/30 possession, 3-0, 2-0 on target shots).
12′ — SAVE! Campuzano again rises up to make a terrific save on ball headed into the upper right corner.
11′ — SAVE! Redirected header from corner lands at Martinez’s foot in center of box — and low shot is saved by Campuzano.
8′ – Charleston remains on front foot. Good combination play leads to corner chance, but a foul in box goes in favor of Hounds.
5′ — Charleston earns first free kick as Junior Etou called for foul. Set piece taken by Nathan Messer, in to box to Miguel Berry who heads it just wide.
6:07 p.m. (2′) — the match has kicked off!
6:06 p.m. — Both teams standing in silence for one minute — as expected — in making statement for better player standards as the USL Championship and USL Players Association remain in negotiations for a new Collective Bargaining Agreement.
5:05 p.m. — Starting Lineups have been posted:
Notes…
Making first start as Riverhound include: Nico Campuzano, Sam Bassett and Victor Souza
First time Albert Dikwa’s back in the Hounds’ Starting XI since October 2023
Former Hounds, Sean Suber and Luis Zamudio, in the lineup for a Charleston squad with a lot of new faces
On Academy contract, Warren Agostini is in the 18
PSN’s Riverhounds SC Coverage and Features
Riverhounds Notebook: Players, coaches all business, ramping up intensity for opener at Charleston
Annual USL Championship, Riverhounds season media predictions (2026)
Chico and The Captain: Riverhounds’ Albert Dikwa and Danny Griffin have each other’s back
John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of ‘Miracle on the Mon’ — a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).
