After an impressive 4-1 victory against Bethlehem Steel FC to open a three-game homestand, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (13-4-10) now shifts its focus to Louisville City FC (13-6-8) for a showdown at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Highmark Stadium. The Hounds won their first meeting, 1-0, on June 27 at Slugger Field.
Who’s No. 2?
When the Hounds and Louisville battle, the No. 2 spot in the Eastern Conference will be on the line. Pittsburgh currently holds the second spot with 49 points, but the opposition sits just two points behind in fourth place. Playoff implications will be in the air when the two sides meet at Highmark Stadium.
Offensive footing
Last time out against Bethlehem, the Hounds scored four goals for just the second time this season. Furthermore, all four tallies were posted by four different players – the first time at least four different athletes scored in a game for the club since its July 30, 2016, road match against the Wilmington Hammerheads. The club will look to keep the offense rolling this weekend.
Reverse Splits
A home team typically holds the advantage in a series, although that is not the case with this rivalry. In club history, Pittsburgh has a winning record (2-1-1) when it plays at Louisville, but it is a different story when it is the host. The Hounds hold a 0-4-1 all-time home record against Louisville and will aim to put a tally in the win column on Saturday.
Thomas Vancaeyezeele is the only Hound to have more than 60 clearances (60) and interceptions (61) this season.
The Hounds earned the victory in their first meeting this season, but Louisville City FC dominated the box score at Slugger Field. Louisville outshot Pittsburgh, 15-7, and held 64 percent possession during the match. Now that the Hounds are the ones with home field advantage, they will need to mirror the type of control their opponent showed in the first meeting, as it could be tough to grasp another win with similar numbers.
