Defense has been at the center of Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC’s dominance in Group F this season. The Hounds have allowed just three goals in seven Group F matches, all scored by their next opponent – New York Red Bulls II.
The Hounds also rank among the best defensive teams in the Eastern Conference in several stats. They are tied for the Eastern Conference lead in clean sheets, with five, and are tied for second in goals conceded, with eight. They lead the USL Championship in goal differential, a true testament to their balanced approach.
“I think getting guys back has helped,” head coach Bob Lilley said. “We’ve had a lot of guys step in, some off injury, to help us out. These guys, like Ray Lee, Patrick Bunk-Andersen, Mark Lindstrom and Thomas Vancaeyezeele are getting more time, and organizing and talking. I feel like that has helped, and that’s going to help us in the games coming up.”
Saturday’s match against New York, which kicks off at 5 p.m. at Red Bull Arena, will be the last of a three-game-in-nine-day stretch for the club. Despite short rest, the Hounds have stepped up in their last two matches, both in group play. They shut out Hartford Athletic, 3-0, on Friday, and recorded another clean sheet against Loudoun United FC on Tuesday.
To extend their winning streak to three games, the Hounds will have to halt a New York team that has no problem with putting the ball in the back of the net. New York is the only Group F team to score on the Hounds, and handed them their sole loss in group play back on July 26.
“I think we have a great opportunity to end a tough week with maximum points,” Lilley said. “We talked about it as a group and we expect to see their best punch. We’re walking into a very motivated New York team that is going to give us their best. I think they’re going to be flying right out of the gate. If we can deal with that, I think we have the quality and the ability to give ourselves opportunities to win this game. The more games we win down the stretch, the better opportunity we’ll have to play playoff games at home.”
