PITTSBURGH (July 3, 2021) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC will try to shake off their midweek loss and pick up a second consecutive win at Highmark Stadium, but to do so, they’ll need to overcome a longtime nemesis, the Charlotte Independence.
The match is scheduled for a 7 p.m. start and will be televised on 22 The Point and streamed on ESPN+.
The Independence (5-4-0) come to Highmark having never lost to the Hounds (5-4-2), with seven wins and five draws in 12 all-time matchups. That includes a meeting May 22 in the Hounds’ home opener, when a first-half goal by Irvin Parra was all the scoring Charlotte needed to escape with a 1-0 win.
Since that early loss, the Hounds have steadied themselves with a 5-2-1 mark, but nothing can be taken for granted in a matchup where the winner will hold sole possession of second place in the Atlantic Division.
In that 2-1 defeat Wednesday at Loudoun United FC, the Hounds did get a spark from Louis Pérez, the first-year pro who scored his first goal in his second start for the club. While it’s likely the lineup will be shuffled again, the Hounds are limited on the back line with Jelani Peters still away on international duty and Jordan Dover still being listed as questionable after missing the past two matches.
Charlotte, which was beaten 2-1 by Miami in their last match, is a different team on the attack than when they last came to Pittsburgh, having added longtime USL goalscorer Dane Kelly. Since joining the Independence, Kelly has four goals in six matches.
For tickets to Saturday’s match, go to Ticketmaster or visit the Riverhounds Box Office.
Before the match, check out our 3 Things feature to see how the Hounds get back on the winning track. To see the complete 2021 schedule, visit https://www.riverhounds.com/game-schedule.
MATCH INFORMATION
Date: Saturday, July 3
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Tickets: Ticketmaster
TV: 22 The Point
Streaming: ESPN+
Live Statistics: USL Championship Match Center
Live Updates: Twitter at @RiverhoundsSC and #PITvCLT