Fresh off clinching a playoff spot and the Keystone Derby Cup, presented by K&L Gates and the Pennsylvania Lottery, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (15-4-11) will travel to battle the Charlotte Independence (9-11-10) at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Sportsplex at Matthews. The match will be televised on Pittsburgh’s CW.
Home at Highmark
With a win against the Independence on Saturday, the Hounds can clinch the privilege of hosting their first-ever home postseason match at Highmark Stadium. Coming away with points against the Independence will be tough though, as the club is 0-3-1 all-time on the road against the Eastern Conference foe.
Digging Deep
In the midst of a stretch of three matches in eight days, the Hounds went to their depth for support last time out against Penn FC. The depth came through, and players like Kay Banjo and Ben Fitzpatrick served as key contributors in their 2-0 victory. With the short three-day turnaround against Charlotte, Pittsburgh may once again rely on its depth.
Elite 11s
Last time out against Penn FC, defenders Joe Greenspan and Hugh Roberts tied for the team lead with 11 clearances. Their efforts, as well as the entire team’s, helped Pittsburgh to its first clean sheet in its last seven games. Before Wednesday, the last time the Black and Gold posted a clean sheet came against Charlotte on Aug. 18.
As the Hounds shut out Penn FC last time out, goalkeeper Mike Kirk totaled four saves en route to his second clean sheet of the season.
This season, the Hounds have had success on the road, holding a 6-2-5 record away from Highmark Stadium and tying for the third-most road wins for a single season in club history. Although the Black and Gold will have a challenge at Charlotte this Saturday, as the Independence hold a 7-3-6 record in their home venue.
