Although it is seemingly out of playoff contention, Penn FC (9-13-8) has a chance at a trophy. The final match of the Keystone Derby Cup, presented by K&L Gates and the Pennsylvania Lottery, is a winner-take-all event when the club battles Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (14-4-11) at 6:30 p.m. on Wednesday at FNB Field.
With four games left in its regular season schedule, Penn FC sits 13th in the Eastern Conference standings. Losing four of its last five games, the club has fallen off the race for a postseason spot and is six points out of the final playoff seed.
Penn FC’s lone win in its past five matches came against Indy Eleven – a 1-0 result on Sept. 12 at FNB Field. The team from Harrisburg has a 5-6-2 record at home this season and finds itself in the midst of a nine-game homestand.
Tying its previous two meetings against Riverhounds SC, the squad can clinch its second-ever Keystone Derby this Wednesday. The last time Penn FC won the rivalry series occurred in 2016.
Leading the Penn FC attack, Lucky Mkosana paces the club with 10 goals and 21 points, in addition to leading the club in shots (47) and ranking third in chances created (24). So far this month, the striker has one goal to his name, scoring in the club’s 3-1 victory against Bethlehem Steel FC on Sept. 2.
Strengths
Balanced scoring: Thirteen different players have scored a goal for Penn FC this season.
Shot totals: The squad ranks fifth in the Eastern Conference with 389 total shots.
Weaknesses
Conversion rate: The club’s 11.3 percent conversion rate ranks second-to-last in the Eastern Conference.
Passing accuracy: With a 73.6 percent passing accuracy, the club ranks in the bottom five (12th) in the conference.
