Pittsburgh Riverhounds coach Gene Klein had to be hospitalized this week because of a viral infection. He had to plead with his doctor to allow him to coach the USL Second Division playoff game last night at Falconi Field in Washington.

Now the health of his team also is in doubt after the Riverhounds lost to Charlotte, 4-0, in the first game of the semifinals.

The second game is scheduled tonight in Charlotte. The series is decided by a two-game aggregate score, meaning Pittsburgh must gain at least a four-goal advantage in Charlotte to force an overtime period.

The Riverhounds (8-7-6) have won only two road games this season. Their loss to Charlotte was their third in a row to the Eagles (9-4-8), who have claimed the only victories at Falconi Field by a visiting team this season.

Charlotte is the defending USL Second Division champion.

Charlotte took the lead 96 seconds into the contest when defender Ben Meek scored on a header set up by a corner kick from all-league midfielder Dustin Swinehart.

Charlotte had a several other good scoring opportunities in the first half, including a goal by striker Jacob Coggins in the 36^th minute that was disallowed for offsides.

The Riverhounds, however, had the better of the play in the final 25 minutes of the first half. Pittsburgh outshot Charlotte in the first half, 12-9, and had two shots hit the crossbar and another hit the post.

"We had chances to get back in the game, but it was the second half that was really the difference," Klein said.

Charlotte regrouped and dominated the second half, scoring in the 59th minute, the 63rd minute and 85^th minute.

The final goal was scored on a breakaway by striker Adam Ruud, who had come off the bench 14 minutes earlier. The second goal was scored by Coggins and the third goal by Andriy Budnyy.

"You never want to fall behind in a big game," Klein said. "We were on the opposite side of things in our last two games [two road victories] when we scored early.

"We left a couple guys unmarked that we know we have to cover, but give them all the credit in the world for picking us apart in the second half. We didn't respond the way we needed to."

Under doctors' orders, Klein is not permitted to travel with the team for the game tonight.

"I haven't missed a game in 30 years of coaching high school, college and youth soccer, so it's going to be painful, but the team will be in good hands with Paul Child [the assistant coach]," Klein said.

"I just told them to go down there and play better than what they did tonight. We've had a good year and we don't want it to end on a negative note."