With two games remaining in the regular season, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (15-4-13) will travel to Atlanta United 2 (6-17-9) for the first of a two-game road swing at 7 p.m. on Wednesday at Coolray Field. Pittsburgh won their first meeting this season, 1-0, this past April.
Race for No. 2
Pittsburgh currently sits third in the Eastern Conference and two points behind Louisville City FC for second place. Both the Hounds and Louisville have two games remaining, as the USL progresses into its final week of the regular season. Every point will be key for the Hounds if they were to claim the second spot in the conference.
Back on Track
As goalkeeper Dan Lynd missed about a month due to injury, he has made four starts since returning on Sept. 15. Last time out against FC Cincinnati, Lynd posted his first clean sheet since returning between the goalposts. The shutout raised his club-record single-season total to 12 clean sheets.
Defensive Dogs
On the defensive side of the pitch, the Hounds have shattered a mark of last year while approaching another. With 78 tackles this season, Mouhamed Dabo has surpassed Victor Souto’s team-leading total of 64 tackles in 2017. Furthermore, Joe Greenspan sits just five clearances behind Jamal Jack’s 2017 club-high of 156 clearances. These numbers, in addition to other factors, point to reasons why the club’s goals-against average has fallen from 1.31 to 0.72 from 2017 to 2018.
Defender Hugh Roberts has 13 blocks this season, helping the Hounds to their record 17 single-season clean sheets.
Last time out, Atlanta United 2 defeated the Charleston Battery, a top-four team in the Eastern Conference. Although Atlanta is eliminated from playoff contention, Pittsburgh will need to play strong this Wednesday, as the USL newcomer has already proven it can play spoiler.
