Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (10-4-1) will face Philadelphia Union II (2-9-3) in its final match of the regular season. This game will kick off at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 3 at Highmark Stadium and will be televised on 22 The Point.
The Hounds are 2-0-0 against Union II this season with a +10 goal differential. Philadelphia has a short turnaround into the match this Saturday, as it will first host Hartford on Wednesday.
1.) Brick Wall
The Riverhounds SC defense has been just short of perfect this season. They are currently tied with Tampa Bay Rowdies for the least amount of goals conceded with nine. The Hounds also lead the league with eight clean sheets. Goalkeeper Danny Vitiello is tied for fourth in the USL Championship with five of those eight shutouts. If Vitiello plays one more full game, he will be eligible for the Golden Gloves award, which is given to the keeper with the best goals-against average in the league.
It’s not all goalkeeping for this Riverhounds squad, as they are led by a strong backline. Thomas Vancaeyezeele has played every single minute this season. With one game left, he could finish the regular season having played every minute in every game.
2.) At The Helm
Riverhounds SC head coach Bob Lilley has made the playoffs every year he’s coached in the USL Championship. This will be Lilley’s third straight playoff appearance in three seasons with the Hounds. In 20 seasons of head coaching, Lilley has recorded at least a .500 winning percentage in each regular season.
3.) Dominance
Statistically, the Riverhounds have been well ahead of other teams in the USL Championship. First, the Hounds have a +28 goal differential, and the next closest is Phoenix Rising FC with +23. This year, the Hounds are on pace for their best goals per game average (2.64) since 2004. They’re also on a record-setting path of goals allowed per game. The previous record was 0.76 in 2018. This year they’re down to 0.57 goals allowed per game.
Out of 35 teams in the USL Championship, the Hounds are two goals shy of tying Phoenix Rising FC and Reno 1868 FC for the league lead in total goals. Pittsburgh also leads the league with a 30 percent conversion rate.
