Amidst a five-match unbeaten streak, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (8-8-10) return home to face Louisville City FC (14-5-5) at 7 p.m. this Saturday, Sept. 9, at Highmark Stadium.
Pittsburgh dropped its two prior meetings against Louisville this season. The first was a 1-0 loss at Highmark Stadium on May 20 and the second a 3-0 defeat on June 17 at Louisville Slugger Field.
Since Louisville joined the USL in 2015, it holds a 4-1-2 edge in the all-time series with the Hounds.
After back-to-back appearances in the Eastern Conference Finals, Louisville City FC is looking to take the next step in 2017 and reach the USL Cup Final for the first time in club history. Thus far, they’re on pace for their best regular season finish in franchise history.
Louisville has the best record in the East at 14-4-5 and has won six of its last eight matches. Additionally, the club has yet to lose back-to-back matches all season.
Hounds’ midfielder Kevin Kerr would lead the USL in chances created if not for Louisville City FC midfielder Oscar Jimenez. With 56 chances created, Jimenez not only leads the USL, but has 26 more chances created than anyone else on his own team.
Jimenez also leads Louisville with five assists and has added two goals. Defensively, Jimenez’s 45 interceptions are tops on Louisville and his 31 tackles are fifth.
Strengths
Shots – Louisville’s 391 shots lead the USL, as do its 150 shots on target. The surplus of scoring opportunities has led to a 15 percent conversion rate – tied for sixth-best in the East.
Bounce back – After losses this season, Louisville is 5-0. Louisville most recently padded that record with a 1-0 win over the Charleston Battery on Sept. 2, which followed a 3-0 loss to Orlando City B on Aug. 26.
Weaknesses
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