Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC starts the 2020 USL Championship Playoffs on the road against Louisville City FC for an Eastern Conference Quarterfinals matchup. The match is set to kick off at 7:30 p.m. on Saturday, Oct. 10 at Lynn Family Stadium. Here are a few things to look for ahead of Saturday’s showdown, which will be locally televised on 22 The Point.
1.) Success on the Road
The Hounds opened their season against Louisville City with a 3-1 win in the inaugural match at Lynn Family Stadium back on July 12. After Louisville got on the board first, the Hounds rattled off three unanswered goals in a 10-minute span, earning their first opening match win under head coach Bob Lilley.
This season, the Hounds posted a 6-2 record away from Highmark Stadium. They have shut out their last four opponents on the road, and have only allowed four goals in their eight road matches this season. No matter the venue, the Hounds come to play.
2.) Revenge
Louisville got the better of the Hounds in last year’s playoffs, winning 2-1 in the Eastern Conference Semifinals at Highmark Stadium. A go-ahead goal from Louisville’s Paolo DelPiccolo in the 118th minute of extra time gave the opposition a 2-1 victory.
The Hounds haven’t dropped a road match against Louisville since 2017, a 3-0 defeat at Louisville Slugger Stadium. Coming into this match, the Hounds have won four straight road games and haven’t lost a match on the road since Aug. 15. The Hounds look to best the 2019 USL Championship runner-up in their third straight playoff appearance under Lilley.
3.) Clash of Defensive Heavyweights
Saturday’s match will feature two of the league’s stoutest defensive clubs. The Hounds have only allowed three goals in their last eight matches, and had a five-game clean sheet streak from Aug. 28 to Sept. 19. They only conceded 10 goals on the season, the fewest in the USL Championship. Goalkeeper Danny Vitiello was awarded the Golden Glove award, which honors the goalkeeper with the lowest goals-against average (GAA). He posted a 0.50 GAA, a club record, and a .778 save percentage. As a club, the Hounds recorded a 0.63 GAA, their lowest ever. The Hounds recorded eight clean sheets this season, tied for the most in the USL Championship.
Pittsburgh was the only team to score more than two goals against Louisville this season, back on July 12. Louisville has allowed just three goals during their current six-game winning streak. The club allowed just 12 goals on the season, the third fewest in the USL Championship. Benjamin Lundt recorded seven clean sheets for Louisville, tied for the second most in the league. Saturday’s matchup may not feature many goals, but it could feature great team defense.
