Match info
Riverhounds (10-8-3) vs. El Paso Locomotive FC (10-7-4)
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 26
Time: 9 p.m.
Location: Southwest University Park, El Paso, Texas
Odds: Hounds +220 / Draw +220 / El Paso +115
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh
Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: Radio Las Palmas, 92.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
Live statistics: USL Championship Match Center
Live updates: @RiverhoundsSC on X/Twitter
Match hashtag: #ELPvPIT
PITTSBURGH (Aug. 24, 2026) — Top playoff contenders from each conference come together for a midweek matchup when the Hounds head west to face El Paso Locomotive FC on Wednesday night.
Both teams are coming off picking up their 10th win of the league season by scoring late a 1-0 road win. The Hounds did it at Brooklyn on a Sam Bassett free kick, and El Paso came out on top by way of an own goal in a match at Colorado Springs delayed for nearly three hours by storms. That lifted both teams into the third spot in their respective conferences entering the week, making Wednesday a chance for the Hounds to move into second in the East with a win or for El Paso to take over the top spot win the West with a result.
Two notable Hounds did not make the trip to Brooklyn dealing with minor injuries, but head coach Rob Vincent said he was optimistic forward Albert Dikwa and right back Perrin Barnes could be available to head to the Lone Star State. With defender Beto Ydrach back in the 18 as an unused substitute Saturday, the Hounds’ injury report has dwindled down to only midfielder Bradley Sample, who is listed as questionable (core injury) but also has resumed training.
What has remained unchanged, regardless of the lineup, has been the Hounds’ renewed defensive execution with only one goal allowed in four August matches. Going back to the July 18 win over Louisville, the Hounds have not allowed multiple goals in seven straight matches, and they have held their last six opponents under 1.00 expected goals (xG), according to Opta stats.
El Paso, on the other hand, has been a little more freewheeling in their matches with 33 goals scored — best in the West and fourth in the Championship — but also 27 goals allowed which puts them tied at the dead center of the pack out of the league’s 25 teams.
Rubio Rubín, who last year scored against the Hounds while with the Charleston Battery, now leads the Locomotive attack with 10 goals and four assists, both tops on the team. Alex Méndez is right behind Rubín with eight goals and three assists, and the hosts are riding a hot streak with four straight wins since an Aug. 1 defeat at Orange County.
Fans will be able to catch the match live on SportsNet Pittsburgh and streaming on ESPN+ with a 9 p.m. Eastern kickoff locally. SportsNet Pittsburgh and SNP+ will have replays of the match throughout the day Thursday, and the Hounds’ radio partners at Radio Las Palmas, 92.9 FM HD2 will also provide coverage in Spanish.
Downloadable Game Notes
