With an unbeaten record of 3-0-1 this August, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (12-3-8) will put this mark on the line when it battles the Tampa Bay Rowdies (7-10-6) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Highmark Stadium. The two sides tied their first meeting this season – a 2-2 result on May 19 at Al Lang Stadium.
Between the Posts
As the third different goalkeeper to receive a starting nod this season, Mike Kirk notched a shutout in his first professional start at the USL level last time out against the Charlotte Independence. He appears to be in line for additional starts moving forward, as fellow keeper Dan Lynd is expected to be out for this Wednesday’s match.
Feeling 22
The Hounds have recorded a clean sheet in 15 of their 23 games this season – a whopping 65 percent of their matches. At this pace, the club will boast 22 shutouts by season’s end. Pittsburgh will look to add to this league-leading total against a Tampa Bay team that has been shut out in its past three matches.
Control Center
Playing alongside Mouhamed Dabo in the holding midfield, Ben Zemanski has been a leader for the Hounds on the field since returning from a lower-body injury nearly one month ago. Frequently at the center of commands on the field, the veteran led the squad with three interceptions to go along with one shot last time out against Charlotte. Whether he dons the captain’s armband or not, Zemanski will continue to be a key piece in the Hounds’ midfield.
Midfielder Kenardo Forbes led the club with four chances created last time out against the Independence. These instincts have led to his team-leading total of seven assists.
Since acquiring Stefano Bonomo this July, the striker has held the reigns of the Tampa Bay attack. He leads the club with 15 points this season, in addition to having past success against the Hounds. While playing for New York Red Bulls II, he scored the game-winning goal during its May 7, 2016, meeting with the Hounds. The Black and Gold will need to lock down Bonomo this Wednesday.
