After a heartbreaking defeat to North Carolina FC, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (9-3-7) looks to snap a two-game losing streak against the Richmond Kickers (5-11-3) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Highmark Stadium. The Hounds won their first meeting, 2-1, on June 2 at City Stadium.
Brooms
With a win this Wednesday, the Hounds will sweep the Kickers for the first time since 2003, which is the last season the club held an undefeated, untied record (3-0-0) against Richmond. The last time the Hounds defeated the Kickers twice in a season came in 2010, when the club held a 2-1-1 record against its long-time foe.
Off the Bench
Team depth played a key role this past Saturday for the Hounds. Subbing into the game in the first half, forward Kay Banjo later recorded his first point – an assist of Christiano François’ goal – of the 2018 season. On a short turnaround, roster depth and substitutions could once again prove to be vital for the Hounds.
Heavy Fire
When the two sides clashed earlier this season, Pittsburgh bombarded Richmond with 20 total shots – a season high in the statistic. Furthermore, the squad also set a season high with eight shots on goal during this match. Scoring two goals in their past three games, the Hounds could once again get the attack back on track against Richmond this Wednesday.
Catalyzing the offense in July, Christiano François led all Hounds with 10 chances created during the month.
Last time out against North Carolina FC, the Hounds started slow and fell behind 1-0 at halftime. Now heading into their match against Richmond on Wednesday, the Hounds will need to keep their foot on the gas against a team that’s struggled on the road this season. The Kickers have a 1-7-0 road record, so this is an opportune time for Pittsburgh to jump out to an early lead and sustain momentum for the entirety of the game.
