After its last three matches being played at home, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC will hit the road and travel to Nippert Stadium this weekend to face FC Cincinnati at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 21. Dating back to 2016, the Orange and Blue have a 3-0-2 record against the Hounds.
With seven points in its first four matches, this season is FC Cincinnati’s best start in club history. Cincinnati is currently ranked seventh in the Eastern Conference, only two spots behind the Hounds. So far, the club is 2-1-1, defeating the Charleston Battery and Indy Eleven by one goal apiece in its first two games.
Midfielder Emmanuel Ledesma has been a key player offensively for Cincinnati. Ledesma leads the team in scoring opportunities, creating six chances – one of which came last time out against Bethlehem Steel FC. Against Indy Eleven, Ledesma earned the team’s lone assist in the match. He is currently tied with Emery Welshman for the team high in the statistic this season.
Strengths
Battling: FC Cincinnati has done well battling for the ball, winning 62 percent of tackles and 59 percent of aerial duels. The ability to win back the ball has resulted in a season average of 52 percent possession.
Goalkeeping: In net, Evan Newton has had a strong start to the season saving 13 of the 15 shots he has faced while earning two clean sheets in four starts.
Weaknesses
Converting: Cincinnati’s offense has been middle of the pack to date in offensive pressure, with only 13 of its 38 shots taken being on target. The club’s conversion rate has been even lower, as the eight percent clip ranks third-to-last in the entire league and its three goals scored is the lowest total in the Eastern Conference.
