After completing a two-game home stint to start the season, the Riverhounds (0-1-1) hit the road for the first time this campaign, battling the Charleston Battery (2-0-0) at 7 p.m. this Saturday, April 8, at MUSC Health Stadium. Charleston currently sits second in the USL Eastern Conference standings with six points.
Controlling the middle
Columbus Crew loanee Ben Swanson and rookie Victor Souto played well in the midfield, starting their first game together against FC Cincinnati this past weekend. Both players recorded four tackles against Cincinnati, and Souto leads the Hounds with 11 tackles for the season. The more Swanson and Souto can control the ball in the middle of the field, the more opportunities will open up for forwards Corey Hertzog and Kevin Kerr on the frontline.
Playing Banjo
In the first two games this season, Kay Banjo has entered the game as a sub in the second half to bolster the Hounds attack. The rookie forward registered his first shot against FC Cincinnati this past weekend and had his playing time increase from 13 to 27 minutes. As Banjo becomes more comfortable on the frontline, he will see additional scoring opportunities – a trend that could continue against Charleston.
Filling the void
After starting the first two matches of the season, Gale Agbossoumonde will be absent from the Hounds’ lineup on Saturday, as he was issued a red card against FC Cincinnati on April 1. The Hounds may turn to wingback Rich Balchan, who slid inside to Agbossoumonde’s position after the red card, to help solidify the center of their backline. Agbossoumonde has two tackles and four clearances in 98 minutes this season.
Entrenched in the middle of the Pittsburgh defense, Jamal Jack leads the team with nine clearances this year. Last time out against FC Cincinnati, Jack cleared seven balls from the Hounds’ goal. The Black and Gold will further rely on Jack against Charleston this weekend, especially in Agbossoumonde’s absence.
Scoring a goal in two straight games to start the season, Forrest Lasso paces the Battery in the category. Despite playing on Charleston’s backline, he has found opportune times to contribute on the attack. In his last time out against Charlotte, Lasso was on the receiving end of a free kick from about 35 yards out. The 6-foot-5-inch defender went up for the ball inside of the 18-yard box and headed it past the goalkeeper. The Hounds must not lose track of Lasso in free and corner kick situations.
