After battling Nashville SC to a 0-0 tie in its season opener, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (0-0-1) prepares for its first match at Highmark Stadium this season. The Black and Gold will face in-state rival Penn FC (0-1-0) at 7 p.m. on Saturday. This will be the opening match of this year’s Keystone Derby Cup, presented by K&L Gates and the Pennsylvania Lottery.
Defending the Cup
The Hounds dominated Penn FC during the 2017 campaign, holding a 2-0-1 record against their rivals in the season series. Pittsburgh was stout defensively, as it shut out Penn FC in all three 2017 meetings. To start its 2018 campaign, Penn FC also was shut out by the Charleston Battery, 1-0. The Hounds defense looks to sustain Penn FC’s offensive woes this weekend and fuel the team to an early win in the Keystone Derby Cup series.
Turncoats
For the Hounds, Mouhamed Dabo and Andrew Lubahn have previously played for Penn FC and now will be on the other side of the rivalry. Dabo played for Penn FC last year, registering 21 appearances. On the other hand, Lubahn has had time off from the rivalry, last playing for Penn FC in 2015. Both players dressed for the season opener, including an appearance from Lubahn, and could be a factor come Saturday.
Jamaican Jets
In the season opener, the Pittsburgh frontline consisted of forwards Romeo Parkes and Neco Brett – both Jamaica natives. Parkes led the team with three shots, including one on goal, before being subbed for Brett. These two forwards look to translate their shots into goals this weekend against Penn FC.
Joe Greenspan led the Hounds with 14 clearances in their season opener against Nashville SC. The 6-foot-6-inch center back picked up where he left off, as he posted 85 clearances in 10 matches for Pittsburgh during the 2017 campaign.
This season, Lucky Mkosana returns to Penn FC as one of the club’s top scoring threats. He has had success against Riverhounds SC in the past, scoring three goals against Pittsburgh from 2012-13. The Hounds will need to lock onto Mkosana this Saturday.
