Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC will open Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play against the Dayton Dutch Lions at 7 p.m. on Tuesday at Highmark Stadium. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Longtime Foe Returns to Pittsburgh
The Dayton Dutch Lions make their first trip back to Pittsburgh since 2014, when they were in USL Pro with the Riverhounds. Pittsburgh holds an all-time record of 3-4-2 against the Dutch Lions with their last meeting resulting in a loss for the Hounds.
Survive and Advance
The Hounds advanced to the third round of U.S. Open Cup play last season, losing to FC Cincinnati, 3-1. Pittsburgh will look to improve from its performance last year and make a deep run in the tournament. The Riverhounds’ longest stint in the Open Cup came in 2001, when they lost to the Chicago Fire, 3-2 2OT, in the quarterfinals.
Riding Point Streak to Cup Play
The Hounds have continued to ride a seven-match unbeaten streak in USL Championship action. Dayton has yet to play its first USL League Two match yet, as its season starts May 18. Pittsburgh will look to take advantage of Dayton’s lack of game action in this second-round tilt.
By the Numbers: 1
Kevin Kerr is the only current Riverhounds player to ever score against the Dayton Dutch Lions.
Key to Victory: Defend the Home Pitch
The Hounds have never defeated Dayton at home since moving to Highmark Stadium in 2013. With an overall record of 0-1-1 in two meetings against the Dutch Lions along the Monongahela River, Pittsburgh will look to snap this streak Tuesday night. The last Open Cup victory at home for the Hounds came in 2015 against the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
