Extending their unbeaten streak to four games after tying the Charleston Battery on Wednesday, the Riverhounds (5-7-8) hit the road on a short week to clash with Tampa Bay (8-5-7) at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday. Pittsburgh defeated the Rowdies, 2-0, in their first meeting this year.
Hostile Environment
Tampa Bay has dominated opponents at home this season, holding a 7-1-2 record at Al Lang Stadium. The Rowdies will carry a two-game home win streak into Saturday’s match against the Hounds, who have held their own on the road in 2017. This year, Pittsburgh is .500 (2-2-6) away from Highmark Stadium.
Joe Cool
Joe Cole is at the forefront of the Tampa Bay attack. The midfielder is tied for the team lead in goals (six) and assists (four), as well as paces the team in points (16). Even though he did not find the back of the net in the Hounds’ and Rowdies’ first match, Cole scored in the club’s most recent game and figures to be heavily involved in scoring opportunities on Saturday.
Familiar Territory
Before beginning his stint with the Hounds in 2016, Corey Hertzog suited up for the Tampa Bay Rowdies from 2014-2015. The striker is accustomed to the Al Lang Stadium environment and will aim to add to his team-leading seven goals as the Hounds look to stay unbeaten against the Rowdies all-time (2-0-0).
Tobi Adewole recorded a personal season-high 13 clearances against Charleston on Wednesday – one shy of the team’s season-high mark. Having started the club’s past five games, the center back is averaging 6.6 clearances per match.
Last time out against Charleston, Pittsburgh converted two of its five corner kicks into goals. For a team that only scored one goal off a corner before battling the Battery on Wednesday, continued set piece success will give an added boast to the Hounds’ counterattack as the season progresses through its second half.
