Coming off a 0-0 draw against Penn FC, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (4-0-6) will stay home to face Nashville SC (3-2-4) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Highmark Stadium. The clubs tied their first-ever meeting, 0-0, earlier this season on March 24 at Nissan Stadium in Nashville’s inaugural home game.
Fresh Legs
Last time out against Penn FC, defenders Tobi Adewole, Jordan Dover and Ray Lee did not appear in the game, marking the first time this season this has happened. This trio has amassed 2,068 minutes this campaign through the club’s first 10 games and figures to be deployed and well rested this Wednesday.
Four Shutouts and Seven Games Ago
With four shutouts through his first seven appearances in Pittsburgh, goalkeeper Dan Lynd is already moving up the all-time club charts. He now ranks tied for No. 7 all-time in club history in clean sheets and is just six shutouts away from cracking the top three. As fellow keeper Kyle Morton remains out due to a knee injury, Pittsburgh will continue to lean on Lynd moving forward, as well as Mike Kirk, who made his team debut in the club’s 2-1 win over Erie in Open Cup play.
Love It When You Call Me Ropapa
Forward Ropapa Mensah has had a strong season to date, scoring three goals to lead Nashville SC. The striker also has added an assist to give him seven points, which leads the squad as well. The Hounds’ backline will need to lock down on Mensah this Wednesday.
Rookie Thomas Vancaeyezeele is the only player on the club to have played all 900 minutes this season. He’s been strong for the Hounds on both sides of the ball, notching three points (one goal and one assist) and also leading the team with 29 interceptions.
As both Riverhounds SC and Nashville SC allow less than one goal per game, the match figures to be close come the second half. Due to this, the result could very well come down to a late substitution. This season, attacking midfielder Joe Holland has been the most-used substitute on the team (five sub-ons) and has made the most of his playing time (averaging one chance created every 38 minutes). He, or perhaps another substitute, could be the difference come game time.
