The Riverhounds (4-4-3) capped a strong month with a 0-0 draw last time out against rival Harrisburg City Islanders. After cumulating a 2-1-1 record in May, Pittsburgh kicks off June against Orlando City B (3-4-3) at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Highmark Stadium.
Minnesota bound
Starting all of his eight games with the Hounds, defender Joe Greenspan has returned to Minnesota United FC of MLS, as his loan period has completed. While with Pittsburgh, the New Jersey native led the Black and Gold with 51 clearances. Moving forward, look for Lalas Abubakar, another loanee, to take Greenspan’s center back position.
Hertzog kicks Hounds to victory
Through 11 games, the Hounds hold an undefeated record (3-0-1) in games that Corey Hertzog has scored a goal. The forward’s most recent goal came in Pittsburgh’s 1-0 win against Ottawa Fury FC on May 13. If Hertzog tallies another goal this Saturday against Orlando City B, the Hounds could very well come away with three points.
Getting Gucci with Abuchi
Despite subbing in after halftime, Abuchi Obinwa led the Hounds with eight clearances in their match at Harrisburg on May 24. In fact, this total tied Obinwa with Victor Souto for Pittsburgh’s 2017 single-game high in the statistic. As Souto continues to recover from a leg injury, Obinwa once again could be tasked with holding down the center midfield against Orlando City B.
Goalkeeper Trey Mitchell recorded his fourth clean sheet last time out against Harrisburg. This total leads the Eastern Conference and is second most in the USL. He has allowed only six goals in nine starts this year (0.67 goals-against average).
Albert Dikwa and Richie Laryea lead Orlando City B with three goals each. With Laryea set to miss Saturday’s match after recording his fifth yellow last weekend, the Hounds’ focus will fall squarely on Dikwa, who tallied the Eastern Conference foe’s only goal in their previous match against Charlotte. To continue a hot stretch of defensive play, the Hounds will need to slow down Orlando’s main offensive threat come Saturday.
