Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (6-3-8) hosts southern foe North Carolina FC (8-3-7) at 7 p.m. this Saturday at Highmark Stadium. The game will be streamed live on ESPN+.
The Season So Far
North Carolina FC has been one of the most successful teams in the USL Championship Eastern Conference this season, currently positioned in fourth place coming into this weekend’s match. NCFC came into the season securing points in five of its first six matches, catapulting them near the top of the table. Before its lost to Birmingham Legion FC last Saturday night, North Carolina FC had recorded points in its last eight matches, including a win over Eastern Conference leader Tampa Bay Rowdies.
The club will first play Loudoun United FC on Wednesday before capping off a two-game week against the Hounds on Saturday.
Players to Watch
Forward Marios Lomis will be a threat for the Hounds’ defense as he has collected the most goals this season for NCFC with six, but more impressively two of those goals have been strikes from outside the 18-yard box.
Production has not just been from the forwards for North Carolina FC. Midfielder Steven Miller leads the team in shots and shots on target with 38 and 21, respectively. Miller is also second on NCFC with five total goals, so look for his play on Saturday night.
Goalkeeping has been a major attribute for North Carolina FC this season. With a save percentage of .800, goalkeeper Alex Tambakis has only allowed 13 goals this entire season.
Strength: Goals Conceded
North Carolina FC has been extremely successful this season in keeping opponents off the scoreboard. NCFC is only averaging 0.8 goals given up this season in part to stellar goalkeeping and stringent defenders on the backline.
Weakness: On the Road Again
One weakness this season for NCFC has been its troubles on the road. Of its three losses this season, all three have been away from its home pitch in Cary, North Carolina. Furthermore, the Hounds have yet to lose a match at home this season, posting a record of 4-0-5.
