The Richmond Kickers (3-11-7) make their first and only visit to Highmark Stadium during the regular season this Saturday, Aug. 5. The Hounds and Kickers last met on April 22 at City Stadium, a 2-1 Richmond victory.
Pittsburgh is 4-12-7 against Richmond since 2009 and has not defeated the Kickers since May of 2015.
After a 2-3-0 start, things have gone south fast for Richmond. The Kickers currently sit second-to-last in the Eastern Conference and are 1-8-7 since defeating the Hounds.
The 2017 campaign has been frustrating for the Kickers after going 12-9-9 last season and advancing to the USL Cup Playoffs. The bulk of their struggles can be blamed on their inability to finish. Richmond’s 13 goals scored in 2017 put them second-to-last in the East. Forward Alhaji Kamara (4) is the only player with more than two goals, but he is no longer with the Kickers or D.C. United after transferring to Al-Taawoun FC of the Saudi Professional League this past June.
Richmond is led by its goalkeeper Matt Turner. In 18 games, Turner has 55 saves, good for second-most in the Eastern Conference. Additionally, Turner has three clean sheets, one away from matching his total in seven games last season.
Turner was in net when the Hounds and Kickers battled in April. The Park Ridge, New Jersey native stopped four of five Pittsburgh shots en route to victory.
Strengths
- Recent defensive success – Despite being eighth in the East in goals conceded, the Kickers have only allowed a combined four goals in their past four matches.
Weaknesses
- Scoring – Goals have been at a premium for the Kickers this season. Richmond has scored multiple goals only three times, but is 2-1 in those instances. Additionally, the Kickers have been shut out 13 times, including four times in their last five matches.
- Conversion Rate – The Kickers struggle to not only find the back of the net, but also to finish chances. Despite being sixth in the USL in shots, Richmond is tied for last with a 7 percent conversion rate.
