For head coach Bob Lilley’s first campaign at the helm, the Riverhounds are slated for the longest regular season schedule in team history. As the franchise gears up for 34 games, there is a lot to look forward to in 2018.
How it Starts
The Hounds kick off the 2018 season at USL expansion side Nashville SC on March 24. This game will mark Nashville’s second-ever USL match and its first-ever home tilt.
After playing part in Nashville’s home opener, the Hounds return home on March 31 to Highmark Stadium for a match against in-state rival Penn FC, formerly the Harrisburg City Islanders. Pittsburgh last clashed with Penn FC for its home opener in 2015, when Kevin Kerr powered the Black and Gold with a hat trick to a dominating 5-2 win.
What’s New
The USL Eastern Conference welcomes four new teams – Atlanta United 2, Indy Eleven, Nashville SC and North Carolina FC – in 2018. Both Atlanta United 2 and Nashville join the league as expansion teams whereas Indy Eleven and North Carolina FC (formerly the Carolina RailHawks) move to the USL after competing in the North American Soccer League (NASL).
For the first time in team history, the Hounds will face Atlanta United 2 on April 28, Indy Eleven on May 11, North Carolina FC on July 4 and Nashville on the aforementioned date of March 24.
Teams leaving the Eastern Conference in 2018 include the Rochester Rhinos, Orlando City B and Saint Louis FC. Rochester and Orlando are each on hiatus for this coming season whereas Saint Louis FC makes the move to the USL Western Conference.
Keystone Derby Cup Outlook
After meeting in the Hounds’ home opener, Pittsburgh and Penn FC will battle two additional times this season. Their second game is set for May 26 at Highmark Stadium and their final match takes place on Sept. 26 at FNB Field.
The Hounds enter the season as defending champions of the Keystone Derby Cup, presented by K&L Gates and the Pennsylvania Lottery, after holding a 2-0-1 record and three clean sheets against Penn FC last year. Pittsburgh is going for its third-ever Derby Cup, previously winning the rivalry trophy in 2015 and 2017, the inaugural season of the award.
Summer Drought
Pittsburgh will spend much of its time on the road during June and July. Of their nine games these months, the Hounds will travel away from Highmark Stadium for six of them.
Road games over this stretch include trips to Richmond (June 2), Charleston (June 23), defending USL-champion Louisville City FC (June 27), Ottawa (July 8), Indy Eleven (July 14) and North Carolina FC (July 28). The Hounds will travel more than 2,500 miles for each of these games combined.
Despite seeing most of their action away from Highmark Stadium in June and July, the Hounds will not play any more than two straight matches on the road this season.
Previously, Pittsburgh has played at least three consecutive road games in 2016 and 2017.
The Home Stretch
After spending much of its time on the road, Pittsburgh will return home to Highmark Stadium for seven matches in August and September. All seven of these home games will fall within a nine-game stretch, marking the most matches at Highmark Stadium in a nine-game span since 2013.
The Hounds begin this stretch against the Richmond Kickers on Aug. 1. The squad will also host Toronto FC II (Aug. 4), Charlotte Independence (Aug. 18), Tampa Bay Rowdies (Aug. 22), Bethlehem Steel FC (Sept. 8), Louisville City FC (Sept. 15) and Indy Eleven (Sept. 22) during this period.
How it Ends
The Hounds close out the season with three games in October with their home finale set for Oct. 6 against FC Cincinnati before finishing the 2018 slate with matches at Atlanta United 2 on Oct. 10 and New York Red Bulls II on Oct. 14.
This is the most games Pittsburgh is scheduled for during the month of October since it joined the USL (formerly known as USL Pro) in 2011.
To view the entire 2018 schedule, click here.
Ensure your spot to root on the Hounds this year by purchasing season tickets today. On sale now, contact our ticketing department at 412-224-4900 to speak to a club ticket representative and learn more.
