Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (12-4-8) travels north of the border to take on Ottawa Fury FC (10-4-9) at 7 p.m. this Friday at TD Place Stadium. Both teams played to a 2-2 draw earlier this season on June 8 at Highmark Stadium.
Taking Care of Business
The Riverhounds will be traveling to the Canadian capital for only the third time in team history. In Pittsburgh’s two previous meetings in Ottawa, Pittsburgh prevailed in both of those matches with victories. This season, Fury FC has constructed a formidable roster that threatens to chase down the Hounds and others at the top of Eastern Conference table.
Keepers in Net
With two of the better USL Championship Eastern Conference teams facing off this Friday, goalkeepers are going to play a pivotal role in who comes out on top. Most likely, Pittsburgh will be seeing Ottawa’s Callum Irving in net Friday. Irving allowed two goals in the match earlier this season between the clubs but is only averaging one goal let up per game. The Hounds have mostly been relying on Kyle Morton to guard the 18-yard box. Morton did not start against Fury FC earlier this season but has played excellent in recent weeks against top competition.
On the Road
The Riverhounds continually put together fantastic performances from the confines of Highmark Stadium, not surrendering a single loss at home all season. On the road, however, the Riverhounds own a 4-4-3 record. The Hounds will need to look to create early chances if they look to take three points in Ottawa this Friday.
By the Numbers: 0
Zero represents the total number of times the Riverhounds have ever lost to Fury FC. In five all-time meetings against Ottawa, Pittsburgh holds a combined record of 3-0-2.
Key to Victory: Score Early and Outshoot the Opponent
This season, Pittsburgh has been successful when it has been able to both score first and outshoot its opponents. This season, the Riverhounds have a combined record of 11-1-5 when they have scored first and 11-0-6 when they outshoot their opponent.
