Following a two-game road trip, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (12-4-10) will return home to battle in-state rival Bethlehem Steel FC (12-11-6) at 7 p.m. on Friday at Highmark Stadium. This will be their second meeting this season, both of which will occur within one month. The Hounds won their first match, 2-1, on Aug. 12 at Goodman Stadium.
HOMEWARD BOUND
When the Hounds clash with Steel FC, it will commence a three-game home stand for Pittsburgh. This will be the second stretch that the Black and Gold will have three straight home matches this season. The last time Pittsburgh had three straight matches at Highmark Stadium occurred this past March/April, when the squad went 2-0-1.
HELPING HAND
Kenardo Forbes posted an assist last time out, increasing his team-leading total to eight helpers. The midfielder is on pace for 10 assists this season, which would make him just the fourth player in club history to reach this milestone. The last time a Hound registered at least 10 assists occurred in 2013, when Matthew Dallman racked up 12 helpers.
ENCORE
The last time Pittsburgh played Bethlehem it led the total shots battle, 19-4, and held 53 percent possession – and that happened to be away from Highmark Stadium. Now as the Hounds return home to battle their in-state rival on their own pitch, they will aim to have another well-oiled performance. However, Bethlehem has been hot on the road as of late, winning its past four away games.
With his tally at FC Cincinnati last time out, Romeo Parkes now has eight career road goals for the Hounds, marking the seventh most in club history.
Santi Moar heads the Bethlehem attack, as the striker leads the club in goals (six) and assists (eight). When the two sides clashed earlier this season, Moar picked up an assist on Steel FC’s only tally in the match. The Pittsburgh backline will need to lock down Moar on Friday.
