Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (5-3-0) will face Saint Louis FC (4-3-1) in an out-of-group matchup on Saturday, Aug. 22 at Highmark Stadium. Kickoff is scheduled for 7 p.m. and can be watched on 22 The Point.
Here are three things to watch during the game on Saturday.
1.) Climbing the ranks
After a goal in the 7th minute in the previous victory against Loudoun United FC, Steevan Dos Santos notched his fifth goal of the season. That mark has Dos Santos tied for third in the league and tied for second in the Eastern Conference. In the East, only former Hound Tyler Pasher has more with eight tallies. Phoenix Rising FC’s Junior Flemmings leads all USL Championship players with nine tallies.
In addition, midfielder Kenardo Forbes sits atop the Eastern Conference with seven assists and is tied with Phoenix’s Solomon Asante for the USL Championship lead.
2.) Backline Importance
After recording another shutout victory on Wednesday, the Hounds increased their goal differential to +14, which is second best in the league. They only sit behind Phoenix Rising FC (+18). While the Hounds are averaging 2.5 goals per game, their defense is only allowing 0.75 goals per game. The Hounds have only given up six goals this season which is the sixth lowest in the league.
Goalkeepers Tomas Gomez and Danny Vitello have combined for three clean sheets this season as well. Last time out, the Hounds rotated in a couple lineup changes. Mark Lindstrom started for the first time in his career and Dakota Barnathan started for the second time this season. Both played well, anchoring the backline to give the Hounds their second shutout in the last four games.
3.) Familiar Faces
There will be familiarity heading into this Saturday’s match against Saint Louis FC.
Former Hounds Tobi Adewole and Kyle Morton now suit up for the opposition. Meanwhile, Pittsburgh goalkeeper Tomas Gomez faces his old team this weekend as well, as he played for Saint Louis for the two previous seasons.
Both Morton and Gomez are having successful seasons between the pipes, each recording two clean sheets thus far this season. In addition, Adewole has started all four of his appearances on the backline for Saint Louis this campaign.
