Match info
Riverhounds (2-2-5) vs. Birmingham Legion FC (5-4-1)
Date: Saturday, May 13
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Highmark Stadium
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Odds: Hounds -105 / Draw +240 / Birmingham +240 (FanDuel)
TV: Pittsburgh’s CW
Streaming: ESPN+ (national), Pittsburgh’s CW (local)
Live statistics: USL Championship Match Center
Live updates: @RiverhoundsSC on Twitter
Match hashtags: #PITvBHM and #HOUNDTAHN
PITTSBURGH (May 12, 2023) — The Hounds are back with a league match on home turf for the first time in 28 days when they welcome Birmingham Legion FC to Highmark Stadium for a 7 p.m. kickoff Saturday.
This will be the first repeat opponent of the season for the Hounds, who drew 1-1 with the Legion in this year’s season opener on March 11 in Alabama. Robbie Mertz netted the tying goal for the Hounds in that match after Alex Crognale scored off a first-half corner kick for the hosts. Of course, the Hounds and Legion have more notable recent history after last year’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinal, a 2-2 thriller that saw the Hounds come from behind twice through Edward Kizza goals before winning on the 10th kick from the penalty mark, 8-7.
The Hounds’ history at home against the Legion has been good, with the team winning all three matches played at Highmark Stadium, including a 1-0 win almost a year ago to the day, May 7, 2022. But nothing will be easy against a team that finds itself in second place in the Eastern Conference, as well as being the only other USL Championship team to join the Hounds in the U.S. Open Cup’s Round of 16.
The Hounds will have some fresh legs despite their famous midweek win over the New England Revolution. Kenardo Forbes and Albert Dikwa both came in off the bench late to seal the win against the MLS team, while the Hounds midfield depth got another boost with the surprise inclusion of Junior Etou, who entered in the waning moments for his first appearance since breaking his arm March 28 against FC Tulsa.
The Legion have one fewer day of rest from their cup win at home over fellow USL team Memphis 901 FC, and they also will be without their captain Phanuel Kavita after the Congolese defender was sent off with a second yellow card in their match last weekend against Oakland. But Birmingham has no shortage of attacking depth, where ageless Hounds nemesis Enzo Martinez is in fine form with five goals on the season, and former Hounds Neco Brett and Tyler Pasher also loom large.
Off the field, there will be plenty to celebrate with the Hounds ending their long stretch away from home with a run of five of the next six games at Highmark Stadium, including the May 24 Open Cup match with the Columbus Crew.
There will be children’s entertainment galore as part of the Family Fiesta Night, and kids will have the chance to hang out with their favorite superheroes, play at the Allegheny Health Network Sports Combine in the Tailgate Zone starting at 5 p.m., or arrive early and enter the stadium from 3-5 p.m. for YMCA of Greater Pittsburgh Healthy Kids Day activities. Not able to make it for the early fun? The YMCA will also have their Y on the Fly vans in the West Lot during the pre-match festivities.
In the stadium, a new month brings new food specials to Highmark Stadium, including our jalapeño popper burgers and Buffalo chicken nachos that will be available at the East Gate train smoker and Nacho Junction outside of the pub, respectively.
Saturday night’s match also marks the return of Riverhounds soccer locally on Pittsburgh’s CW (WPCW-19), which will carry nine of the next 11 games as part of their season-long coverage of the Hounds. Nationally, the game will also be streamed as part of season-long coverage of the USL Championship on ESPN+, while fans inside the local market can stream the match for free on the KDKA/Pittsburgh’s CW website.
Downloadable Game Notes
