Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (5-1-6) will face off against New York Red Bulls II (5-3-5) at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Highmark Stadium. Red Bulls II has not yet played the Hounds this season, but had a 1-0-1 record against the Black and Gold last year.
Throughout the season, Red Bulls II has won five games out of the 13 it has played. New York’s five victories have all taken place at home, and the squad has not yet won on the road this season (0-2-4). Furthermore, the side has been shut out in its past three road matches (at Toronto FC II on April 28, at Ottawa Fury FC on May 2 and at Bethlehem Steel FC on May 16).
New York is coming off a 4-2 home victory against the Charlotte Independence. This victory gives the team a one-game winning streak and a 5-1-1 home record this season.
Forward Brian White is one of New York’s leading attackers with 22 total shots (leads team), 14 shots on target (leads team) and five goals scored (second on team). With an 86.3 percent passing rate in his own half and 61.8 percent in the opposing half, in addition to his two assists this season, he has demonstrated the ability to catalyze the New York attack.
Strengths:
Passes: New York Red Bulls II has a 72.8 percent success rate with a total of 5,564 passes throughout its 2018 season.
Shots: In the Eastern Conference, New York is ranked first with 224 total shots and first with 25 goals scored.
Weaknesses:
Road Scoring: Only three of the team’s 25 goals have been scored on the road.
Fouls: Throughout the 2018 season, Red Bulls II has conceded 176 fouls, which ranks fourth most in the Eastern Conference. The team also is ranked tied No. 6 for the most yellow cards (23).
