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Playoff Preview: Hounds vs. Hartford Athletic

Pittsburgh Riverhounds defender Luke Biasi dribbles toward Hartford Athletic's Beverly Makangila in the Hounds' 1-0 win on March 22, 2025 at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC) — *Luke Biasi dribbles toward Hartford Athletic’s Beverly Makangila in the Hounds’ 1-0 win on March 22 at Highmark Stadium. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC)*

Match info

Eastern Conference Quarterfinals
#4 Riverhounds vs. #5 Hartford Athletic
Date: Saturday, Nov. 1
Time: 6:30 p.m.
Location: Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Odds: Hounds -115 / Draw +240 / Hartford +300 at Fan Duel (After 90 minutes of play)
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh
Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: Radio Las Palmas, 92.9 FM HD2
Live statistics: USL Championship Match Center
Live updates: @RiverhoundsSC on X/Twitter
Match hashtags: #PITvHFD and #Grittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (Oct. 30, 2025) — It’s win or go home time in the USL Championship, and the Hounds will stand across the field from a familiar nemesis for the first time in the postseason when they host Hartford Athletic in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals on Saturday night at Highmark Stadium.

On paper, Hartford might seem to be the preferred opponent for the Hounds, who claimed a season sweep this year and hold a 13-2-2 record all-time against the Nutmeg Staters. But matches between the sides have been close in recent seasons, and the Hounds escaping Connecticut with a 2-1 win on an 89th-minute goal by Chase Boone will be fresh on the minds of both sides.

Hounds fans might remember — but likely would prefer to forget — the last time Hartford coach Brendan Burke was on the sideline for a playoff match at Highmark Stadium. Burke’s side spoiled the first-ever playoff match at the venue in 2018, when Bethlehem Steel upset the third-seeded Hounds on penalties after a 2-2 draw. Meanwhile, Hounds acting head coach Rob Vincent will be the first person other than Bob Lilley to direct the Hounds in a home playoff match in 19 years, going back to Gene Klein‘s first season as head coach and a loss to the Charlotte Eagles in the 2006 USL Second Division Playoffs.

The Hounds do have a healthy lineup, and after a 4-1-1 record to close the regular season, squad changes are expected to be minimal after the team trotted out the same starting lineup for the past two matches. That includes a defense with Sean Suber in the center of it, after the second-year Hounds defender became just the fourth player to play every minute of a regular season in team history and posted 204 clearances on the season, the third-highest total in USL Championship history since the stat was first tracked in 2017.

Hartford, meanwhile, comes into the playoffs on the heels of back-to-back road losses, 3-2 at Tampa Bay and 1-0 at Louisville. But on the balance of the season, Hartford was a good road team with a 7-6-2 record away from home, which doesn’t include winning the USL Jägermeister Cup, 1-0, on a cross-country trip to Sacramento at the start of October.

The biggest danger presented by the visitors, who were fourth in the Championship with 48 goals scored this season, is their variety of attacking options. That group includes top scorer Kyle Edwards (12 goals), late-season acquisition and former Golden Boot winner Hadji Barry, and speedy Michee Ngalina, who scored for Bethlehem in that 2018 playoff match and has four career goals against the Hounds.

The team to advance Saturday will move on to the Eastern Conference Semifinals on Nov. 8 against the winner between No. 1 Louisville and No. 8 Detroit. The higher seed will host, and time and TV listings for that match will be announced after the completion of the quarterfinal round.

For the playoff match, fans are encouraged to wear black as part of a “Black Aht” to set the stage, and in-stadium specials include the return of $1 IC Light before kickoff in the Tailgate Zone and the stadium. With the 6:30 p.m. kickoff time, the Tailgate Zone will open a half hour earlier at 4:30, and gates to Highmark Stadium will open at 5:30 p.m.

Saturday’s match will be shown live locally on both SportsNet Pittsburgh and SNP+. If coverage of Pittsburgh Penguins hockey runs long, the match will be shown in its entirety on SNP+ and joined in progress on SportsNet Pittsburgh. The match will be streamed on ESPN+, and Radio Las Palmas, 92.9 FM HD2 will carry the Spanish-language radio broadcast.

Tickets for Saturday’s match are still available through Ticketmaster and at the Highmark Stadium Box Office, and playoff bundles that will be good for all postseason matches at Highmark Stadium also are on sale.

Downloadable Game Notes

Game Notes vs. Hartford, Eastern Conference Quarterfinals, 11/1/25 Download

Time, local TV announced for playoff opener

Pittsburgh Riverhounds striker Augi Williams battles for the ball with Hartford Athletic's Beverly Makangila in the Hounds' 1-0 win on March 22, 2025 at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC) — *Hounds striker Augi Williams battles for the ball with Hartford Athletic’s Beverly Makangila in the Hounds’ 1-0 win on March 22 at Highmark Stadium. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC)*

PITTSBURGH (Oct. 26, 2025) — The Pittsburgh Riverhounds will begin their journey through the USL Championship Playoffs at 6:30 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 1, when they will host Hartford Athletic at Highmark Stadium in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals.

Tickets for the match are on sale now through Ticketmaster, and the contest will be streamed live on ESPN+. The match will air live locally on SportsNet Pittsburgh and SportsNet Pittsburgh+. In the event coverage of Pittsburgh Penguins hockey runs long that day, the Hounds match will air in its entirety on SNP+ and will be joined in progress on the main SportsNet Pittsburgh channel.

The Hounds, the No. 4 seed in the Eastern Conference, will be meeting fifth-seeded Hartford for the first time ever in the postseason. The Hounds won both regular season meetings this year with Hartford, taking a 1-0 victory on March 22 in Pittsburgh and winning 2-1 on Sept. 20 in Connecticut.

The winner of the quarterfinal will advance to face the winner between No. 1 Louisville City FC and No. 8 Detroit City FC the following weekend.

This is the eighth consecutive season the Hounds have qualified for the postseason, extending the longest such run in team history. It is also the second-longest active streak in the USL Championship behind Louisville’s 11 straight appearances.

To see the full schedule for the USL Championship Playoffs, presented by Terminix, visit uslchampionship.com.

Deadlock with Phoenix secures home playoff

Bradley Sample tries to get around Phoenix Rising FC's Hope Avayevu in the Pittsburgh Riverhounds' 0-0 draw on Oct. 25, 2025 at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC) — *Bradley Sample tries to get around Phoenix Rising FC’s Hope Avayevu in the Hounds’ 0-0 draw Saturday at Highmark Stadium. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC)*

PITTSBURGH (Oct. 25, 2025) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC battled to a 0-0 draw with Phoenix Rising FC to close the regular season tonight at Highmark Stadium, and the result was enough to secure a fourth-place finish in the Eastern Conference and a home match to open the USL Championship Playoffs next Saturday.

The Hounds (12-10-8) were on the front foot for the majority of the match, holding a 17-8 edge in shots, a 10-0 advantage in corner kicks and holding 63.1 percent of possession against Phoenix (9-8-13), which clinched its playoff spot in the Western Conference.

Eric Dick needed to make only one save for the shutout, his 12th in all competitions this season and his 26th with the Hounds, which ties him with Hunter Gilstrap for the second-most in team history.

First half

The Hounds began pushing forward from the opening whistle, and in the fourth minute, the team made a claim for a penalty kick for handling when Augi Williams’ header was blocked behind in close quarters by Phoenix’s Carl Sainté.

Undeterred, the Hounds continued to attack, and in the 20th minute, Luke Biasi lashed a shot across goal after getting into the right side of the box to receive a long, diagonal pass forward. Phoenix largely settled for long-range efforts, and Dick made his only save of the match only 11 minutes into play.

Phoenix goalie Patrick Rakovsky made four saves for his clean sheet, and in the 38th minute, he stood tall to deny Williams at close range as the striker tried to poke a high-bouncing ball around the keeper.

Biasi came closest to scoring in the 41st minute, when he again gained the right side of the box. Rather than crossing, he took a near-post effort on goal that struck the right post and bounced to safety for Phoenix.

Second half

Phoenix adjusted and saw more of the ball early in the second half, but the Hounds began to fire toward goal again with a rising volley by Bradley Sample in the 61st minute.

A few minutes later, Junior Etou curled a cross behind the back line for Williams, but the striker didn’t make clean contact on the ball, which allowed the Phoenix defense to scramble the chance clear of the goal line.

Phoenix’s best chance of the match came in the 79th minute when Ihsan Sacko got behind the defense on a long ball down the right side, but Guillaume Vacter tracked back with speed to make a last-ditch block on the shot, snuffing out the chance.

Sample had one final chance for the Hounds, getting on the end of a cross by Robbie Mertz, but his header took a deflection off the back of a defender and ricocheted into the arms of Rakovsky. As the final whistle blew, it secured a milestone for center back Sean Suber, who became only the fourth Riverhounds player to play every minute of a regular season, logging all 2,700 minutes of the 2025 campaign.

Modelo Man of the Match

Guillaume Vacter was a ball winner extraordinaire, winning 16 of 19 duels and adding four clearances. He also contributed 15 final third entries, a shot on goal and an exceptional blocked shot to deny Ihsan Sacko’s clear chance in the 79th minute.

What’s next?

The Hounds will host Hartford Athletic (13-12-5) in the Eastern Conference Quarterfinals next Saturday at Highmark Stadium, time and TV listings to be announced. The Hounds swept both meetings with Hartford this season, winning 1-0 at home on March 22 and taking a 2-1 win in Connecticut on Sept. 20.

Riverhounds SC lineup (3-4-2-1) — Eric Dick; Guillaume Vacter, Sean Suber, Beto Ydrach; Junior Etou, Bradley Sample, Danny Griffin, Luke Biasi (Perrin Barnes 79’); Robbie Mertz, Charles Ahl (Jackson Walti 73’); Augi Williams (Bertin Jacquesson 79’)

Phoenix Rising FC lineup (3-4-3) — Patrick Rakovsky; Carle Sainté, Rafael Czichos, Pape Boye; Ryan Flood, John Scearce, Jean Moursou, Ascel Essengue; Darius Johnson (Rémi Cabral 77’), Hope Avayevu (Ihsan Sacko 77’), Charlie Dennis

Scoring summary

None

Discipline summary

None

Game Day: Hounds vs. Phoenix Rising FC

Fans in the Paul Child Stand celebrate during the Pittsburgh Riverhounds' 2-1 win over Indy Eleven on Oct. 11, 2025 at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC) — *Fans in the Paul Child Stand celebrate during the Hounds’ 2-1 win over Indy Eleven on Oct. 11 at Highmark Stadium. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC)*

Match info

Riverhounds (12-10-7) vs. Phoenix Rising FC (9-8-12)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 25
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pa.
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Odds: Hounds -125 / Draw +230 / Phoenix +300 at Fan Duel
TV: KDKA+
Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: Radio Las Palmas, 92.9 FM HD2
Live statistics: USL Championship Match Center
Live updates: @RiverhoundsSC on X/Twitter
Match hashtags: #PITvPHX and #Grittsburgh

PITTSBURGH (Oct. 23, 2025) — The USL Championship Playoffs are right around the corner, and how the Hounds perform Saturday when they host Phoenix Rising FC will determine whether the postseason begins at Highmark Stadium or on the road.

A win clinches a top-four finish in the Eastern Conference for the Hounds, while a loss will have the team going on the road for next weekend’s conference quarterfinals. A draw would leave the Hounds at the mercy of other results around the league, as detailed earlier this week in our breakdown of the playoff scenarios. But just as important to the Hounds is continuing some of their best form of the season, which has seen the team win two straight matches and four of the last five to climb the standings in the East.

A 3-0 win at Monterey Bay paced by goals from Sean Suber, Augi Williams and Jackson Walti gave the team multiple goals in consecutive games for the first time in 2025, and the all-around performance left only two saves for Eric Dick to make as he became the first goalkeeper in Hounds history with multiple double-digit shutout regular seasons. Suber also has a personal mark to chase, as the first player to record 200 clearances in a season for the Hounds could become only the fourth Hounds player to play every minute of the regular season if he goes for the full 90 minutes.

To keep the momentum going, the team will have to take down a Phoenix team they have knocked off each of the past two seasons, winning 3-1 in Arizona a year ago and taking a 1-0 result from the last meeting at Highmark Stadium in 2023.

Phoenix has their own stakes on the line in the match, perhaps even more so than the Hounds. With a win and an El Paso loss to San Antonio, Phoenix could move into the top four of the Western Conference and earn a home playoff opener.

However, in the crowded West, Phoenix hasn’t even clinched its playoff spot. It would take an unlikely series of events to eliminate them — a Rising loss coupled with wins by all four of Colorado Springs (at Tulsa), San Antonio (vs. El Paso), Orange County (vs. Indy) and Lexington (at Oakland) — but Phoenix will be coming to Pittsburgh hoping at least to get the draw that assures their qualification.

The match could be a stylistic clash, as well. Hounds matches have been the lowest-scoring in the league with only 60 total goals (32 for, 28 against), while Phoenix tends to give both nets a workout with 96 total goals — 48 for is tied for third-best in the Championship, but their 48 allowed is tied for the fifth-worst. Hope Avayevu is among the league leaders in goal contributions this year with six goals and 10 assists for Phoenix, while Ihsan Sacko and in-form Charlie Dennis share the team lead with seven goals apiece.

The final regular-season home match of the year at Highmark Stadium means it is also the annual Fan Appreciation Night, and as usual, there will be plenty of discounts and prizes given away to thank our supporters for another excellent season.

Among the discounts for all to enjoy are $2 IC Lights in the Tailgate Zone from 5-6 p.m., a $67 jersey sale special from 6-7 p.m. in the Team Store, and a special 67 percent discount on select Charly teamwear. The first 500 kids ages 14 and under through the gates also will receive a special team poster, presented by King Orthodontics.

The biggest giveaways will come by way of the Fan Appreciation Raffle, and baskets to enter will be located in the Tailgate Zone and by both the East Gate and West Gate. Prizes to be given out include 2026 season tickets, baskets provided by Hounds corporate partners and the grand prize of a chance to be a “Player for a Day” during the 2026 season. All fans will receive an entry ticket upon entry, but the first 1,500 through the gates will receive bonus entries, and additional entry tickets can be earned throughout the stadium from vendors, concessions and at other locations.

Tickets for Saturday’s regular-season finale are still available through Ticketmaster and at the Highmark Stadium Box Office.

The match will be shown live on KDKA+ and streamed on ESPN+, with a re-airing of the match at 1 p.m. Sunday on KDKA+. The Spanish-language broadcast can be heard on Radio Las Palmas, 92.9 FM HD2, bringing to an end their first regular season as the Hounds’ official Spanish-language radio broadcast partner.

Downloadable Game Notes

Game Notes vs Phoenix, 10/25/25 Download

John Fisher introduced as VP of Revenue

PITTSBURGH (Oct. 23, 2025) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC has hired veteran sports executive John Fisher to be the club’s new Vice President of Revenue, adding more experience to the front office to help continue the organization’s growth.

In this role, Fisher will oversee both Ticketing and Corporate Partnerships to help drive new revenue opportunities across the organization, including with the Riverhounds, the Pittsburgh Riveters and Highmark Stadium as the club looks to expand its current home on the South Shore.

“I’m grateful to have the opportunity to return home to Pittsburgh and join the Riverhounds. This is a club with a proud history, strong leadership and excellent ownership. I’m eager to contribute to its growth, help promote the game of soccer and make a positive impact in my hometown,” Fisher said.

Fisher, 50, comes to the Hounds after spending more than 16 years with the Arizona Diamondbacks of Major League Baseball, the last 13 of which were as the team’s Senior Vice President of Ticket Sales and Marketing. His experience in sports spans multiple leagues before his time in Arizona, including stints with the NBA’s Cleveland Cavaliers and the NHL’s Tampa Bay Lightning, and most recently, he worked in the entertainment industry as the Vice President for Sales for Cirque du Soleil.

A native of Pittsburgh’s North Hills and a 1998 graduate of nearby Robert Morris University, Fisher returns to the region with his wife, Deb. The new role brings him back to the Pittsburgh market for the first time since a stint as an account executive with the Pittsburgh Pirates in the early 2000s.

“We’re thrilled to welcome John to our leadership team.” Riverhounds President Jeff Garner said. “His track record of driving growth and building strong revenue cultures across multiple major leagues speaks for itself. As we continue to elevate every part of our organization, from the Riverhounds and Riveters to our expansion plans at Highmark Stadium, John’s experience and leadership will be key to taking our business to the next level.”

Hounds trio lands on weekly honors

Pittsburgh Riverhounds center back Sean Suber retreats to win the ball in the team's 3-0 win over Monterey Bay FC on Oct. 18, 2025 at Cardinale Stadium in Seaside, Calif. (Photo: Monterey Bay FC) — *Center back Sean Suber retreats to win the ball in the Hounds’ 3-0 win over Monterey Bay FC last Saturday at Cardinale Stadium in Seaside, Calif. (Photo: Monterey Bay FC)*

PITTSBURGH (Oct. 21, 2025) — The Pittsburgh Riverhounds were well-represented on the USL Championship’s Team of the Week for Week 33, with defender Sean Suber and midfielder Jackson Walti selected to the first 11 and defender Guillaume Vacter earning a bench spot in the league honors announced this afternoon.

Suber makes the team for the second consecutive week after he scored for the second straight match in the Hounds’ 3-0 win at Monterey Bay FC. The center back put home the opening goal in the first half of the contest, and defensively, he won possession five times, was successful on 6 of 9 duels, and he led the team with six clearances.

Walti earns his first weekly honor of the season with an impactful 21-minute shift off the bench in which his pinpoint pass assisted Augi Williams on the Hounds’ second goal, and he scored the third goal himself with a firm finish from inside the box. The midfielder also connected on 13 of 14 passes after stepping on the field and won possession twice.

Vacter also had played a crucial role in the Hounds collecting their first clean sheet of October with four clearances and winning possession four times. The center back also made an impact working his way forward, recording 21 passes in the final third — second-most on the team — and he picked up the assist on Suber’s opening goal.

To see the full Team of the Week, visit uslchampionship.com.

The Hounds wrap up the regular season at 7 p.m. this Saturday, Oct. 25 when they host Phoenix Rising FC at Highmark Stadium. Tickets are available now through Ticketmaster and at the Highmark Stadium Box Office.

Playoff picture gets clearer entering final week

Luke Biasi turns away from a pair of Indy Eleven defenders in the Pittsburgh Riverhounds' 2-1 win on Oct. 11, 2025 at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC) — *Luke Biasi turns away from a pair of Indy Eleven defenders in the Hounds’ 2-1 win on Oct. 11 at Highmark Stadium. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC)*

The Hounds are playoff bound for the eighth consecutive season. That much is known.

But the opponent, venue, date and time is still up in the air, and three matches this Saturday will finalize exactly where the Hounds fall in the USL Championship Playoffs bracket.

Hartford Athletic (44 pts.), the Hounds (43 pts.), Loudoun United FC (42 pts.) and North Carolina FC (42 pts.) are guaranteed to be the No. 3-6 seeds in the Eastern Conference. North Carolina visits Loudoun for a 5 p.m. start, the Hounds host Phoenix Rising FC at 7 p.m., and Hartford Athletic begins its match at Louisville City FC at 7:30 p.m.

For the Hounds, the simplest scenario is to take care of business with a win against Phoenix. That would guarantee a home playoff match, and the team would jump to the No. 3 spot if Hartford fails to win in Louisville.

On the flip side of that, the Hounds know they will be hitting the road to start the postseason with a loss Saturday, as one of Loudoun or North Carolina is guaranteed to pass them. A loss by the Hounds and a draw in the Loudoun-North Carolina match is the one scenario that would drop them all the way to the No. 6 seed and a road playoff match at Hartford.

Should the Hounds draw against Phoenix, that’s where the scenarios begin to get complicated.

A draw means the Hounds can be no worse than the No. 5 seed, and they would bump to at least No. 4 and a home playoff match with either a Hartford loss or a draw between Loudoun and North Carolina. If both of those results occur in tandem with a Hounds draw, the Hounds would leapfrog Hartford for the No. 3 seed by virtue of their head-to-head sweep this season, and they would host North Carolina, which loses out on their tiebreaker with Loudoun.

The rest of the Eastern Conference is relatively straightforward, with Louisville locked into the top seed and Charleston at No. 2.

Below the Hounds, Rhode Island has clinched a playoff spot at either No. 7 or No. 8, while Detroit has the inside track to claiming the last spot, which they will do with a win over Tampa Bay. If Detroit drops points, Indy is in position to steal the last spot with a win in the final game of the night at Orange County, while Tampa Bay could pull off a huge late-season comeback to qualify by beating Detroit and getting a favorable result in Indy’s match.

Hounds fire three past Monterey Bay in win

Guillaume Vacter plays a pass in front of Monterey Bay FC's Tarik Scott in the Pittsburgh Riverhounds' 3-0 win on Oct. 18, 2025 at Cardinale Stadium in Seaside, Calif. (Photo: Monterey Bay FC) — *Guillaume Vacter plays a pass in front of Monterey Bay FC’s Tarik Scott in the Hounds’ 3-0 win Saturday at Cardinale Stadium in Seaside, Calif. (Photo: Monterey Bay FC)*

(Oct. 18, 2025) — The Pittsburgh Riverhounds turned on an offensive onslaught on the West Coast, as Sean Suber, Augi Williams and Jackson Walti all found the net in a 3-0 win tonight over Monterey Bay FC at Cardinale Stadium in Seaside, Calif.

Suber had the Hounds (12-10-7) ahead before halftime, before the team struck twice in the second half to produce its first three-goal outing of the season. The Hounds also held 58 percent of possession and matched their season high of seven shots on goal on 12 total shots at the Monterey Bay (7-15-7) net.

The win propels the Hounds into fourth place in the Eastern Conference with one match to play, meaning the team would secure a home playoff match with a win next week.

First half

Though the Hounds were able to manufacture a pair of early corner kicks, it was the home side that had the game’s first good look at goal in the 23rd minute. Johnny Klein one-touched a high ball down into the path of Xavi Gnaulati, and the young midfielder cut onto his right foot and hit a shot from the top of the box that curled just wide of the left post.

The Hounds would break through in the 27th minute after cycling the ball in the attacking half when Monterey Bay only partly cleared a corner kick. Williams received a pass on the ground into the box and played the ball wide to Danny Griffin on the right. Griffin’s low cross took a glancing touch off Guillaume Vacter that redirected the ball to an unmarked Suber for a tap-in at the back post. It was the second goal in as many matches for Suber, who had not scored this season before last week.

Less than a minute later, Charles Ahl had a shot to double the lead when Robbie Mertz picked him out alone on the left side. Ahl cut the ball onto his right foot, but his shot was too close to goalkeeper Nico Campuzano — a former University of Pittsburgh standout — who made one of his four saves.

Second half

The home team again produced the first chance of the half, as Klein put a shot into the breadbasket of goalkeeper Eric Dick less than 60 seconds after play resumed. Dick made two saves on the night for his 11th shutout of the season across all competitions.

Though the Hounds continued to press forward — both Luke Biasi and Mertz had chances in the box — it was in the 73rd minute that Williams doubled the lead.

Walti, who entered the match only four minutes earlier, won the ball and rolled a perfectly weighted pass that found Williams’ right foot while curling away from the defender to his teammate’s right. Williams took one touch to accelerate into the box and ripped a shot over the arm of the goalkeeper for his team-leading ninth goal of the season.

Walti would apply the finishing touch to the match in the 86th minute after Williams created with a low cross that found its way all the way across the box. The Hounds continued to move the ball with Monterey Bay’s defense stretched, and Griffin knocked the ball onto the feet of Walti, who lifted a shot under the crossbar from inside the box.

Modelo Man of the Match

Jackson Walti played a 21-minute shift off the bench, and his impact was immediate with an assist after four minutes, followed by the game-sealing goal. He also connected on 13 of 14 passes while in the match and won possession twice, with one of those turnovers created leading to his assist.

What’s next?

Home playoff matches are on the line when the Hounds play their regular-season finale against Phoenix Rising FC on Saturday, Oct. 25 at Highmark Stadium. The Hounds will host their opening playoff match if they win, while Phoenix (9-8-12) would do the same out West with a win and a loss by El Paso.

Riverhounds SC lineup (3-4-2-1) — Eric Dick; Guillaume Vacter, Sean Suber, Beto Ydrach (Illal Osumanu 68’); Junior Etou (Perrin Barnes 76’), Bradley Sample, Danny Griffin, Luke Biasi; Robbie Mertz (Jorge Garcia 89’), Charles Ahl (Jackson Walti 68’); Augi Williams (Brigham Larsen 89’)

Monterey Bay FC lineup (5-4-1) — Nico Campuzano; Grant Robinson, Alex Lara, Nicholas Gordon, Pierce Gallaway (Mobi Fehr 57’), Joel Garcia Jr. (Miles Lyons 69’); Johnny Klein (Luke Ivanovic 74’), Wes Fonguck, Xavi Gnaulati, Diego Gutiérrez (Mayele Malango 57’); Tarik Scott (Anton Søjberg 57’)

Scoring summary

PIT — Sean Suber 27’ (Guillaume Vacter)
PIT — Augi Williams 73’ (Jackson Walti)
PIT — Jackson Walti 86’ (Danny Griffin)

Discipline summary

PIT — Guillaume Vacter 5’ (caution – tactical foul)
MB — Joel Garcia Jr. 20’ (caution – reckless foul)
MB — Pierce Gallaway 37’ (caution – reckless foul)
PIT — Augi Williams 47’ (caution – tactical foul)

Game Day: Hounds at Monterey Bay FC

Charles Ahl looks for a target to pass toward in the Pittsburgh Riverhounds 2-1 win at Hartford Athletic on Sept. 20, 2025 at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford, Conn. (Photo: Hartford Athletic) — *Charles Ahl looks for a target to pass toward in the Hounds’ 2-1 win at Hartford Athletic on Sept. 20 at Trinity Health Stadium in Hartford, Conn. (Photo: Hartford Athletic)*

Match info

Riverhounds (11-10-7) vs. Monterey Bay FC (7-14-7)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 18
Time: 10 p.m.
Location: Cardinale Stadium, Seaside, Calif.
Odds: Hounds +110 / Draw +220 / Monterey Bay +230 at Fan Duel
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh+
Streaming: ESPN+
Live statistics: USL Championship Match Center
Live updates: @RiverhoundsSC on X/Twitter
Match hashtags: #MBvPIT and #Grittsburgh

(Oct. 16, 2025) — With their postseason ticket booked, the Hounds hit the road for the final time this regular season in hopes of making that first playoff match a home game, which requires getting a result at Monterey Bay FC.

The Hounds remain sixth in the Eastern Conference with every team but Charleston — already locked into the No. 2 seed — having two matches to play. The Hounds are two points back of fourth-place Loudoun, but with Loudoun and fifth-place North Carolina set to meet in their final match, the Hounds are guaranteed to move up in the table if they win their final two matches. A loss, however, would ensure the Hounds begin the USL Championship Playoffs away from home.

Last weekend’s win, a 2-1 victory over Indy Eleven, was a good blueprint for how the Hounds have been most successful. Danny Griffin scored at the back post after some good build-up play, and Sean Suber cashed in on a corner kick for the team’s goals. The Hounds also maintained a slight edge with 52 percent of possession, a number that was higher before the team went up 2-0, and the defense nearly maintained its clean sheet, only to be done in late as a result of an awkwardly struck ball by Indy’s Jack Blake that spun its way to the foot of James Musa for a tap-in.

The match also saw substitute appearances by Jackson Walti and Perrin Barnes, the latter appearing for the first time since an ankle injury, meaning the Hounds are getting healthier and regaining their depth. That leaves capable starters available off the bench, whether those are Walti and Barnes or Bradley Sample and Junior Etou, both of whom have been quite good since joining the regular 11.

How Monterey Bay approaches the match will be another question, as they were officially eliminated from playoff contention Wednesday night as a result of Orange County’s 1-0 win over San Antonio. It will also be the team’s first match in 14 days since a 4-0 loss at Tampa Bay.

The side has already rotated its squad heavily throughout the year — Danish forward Anton Søjberg is the top scorer with five goals and two assists — and no player has started more than 26 of the team’s 28 matches. One of the two with 26 starts is Nico Campuzano, the Spanish goalkeeper who played his final two college season at the University of Pittsburgh.

The match is a late start on the East Coast, as the 7 p.m. local kickoff makes it a 10 p.m. ET match in Pittsburgh. Live coverage of the match will be shown on SportsNet Pittsburgh+ with replays throughout the weekend on both SportsNet Pittsburgh’s main channel and SNP+. ESPN+ will carry the live stream on Saturday night, as well.

Downloadable Game Notes

Game Notes at Monterey Bay, 10/18/25 Download

Suber heads his way onto Team of the Week

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC defender Sean Suber looks toward the crowd after scoring in the team's 2-1 win over Indy Eleven on Oct. 11, 2025 at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC) — *Sean Suber looks toward the crowd after scoring in the team’s 2-1 win over Indy Eleven on Saturday at Highmark Stadium. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC)*

PITTSBURGH (Oct. 14, 2025) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC defender Sean Suber was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 32, the league announced this afternoon.

Suber scored what would be the deciding goal in the Hounds’ 2-1 win over Indy Eleven on Saturday that secured the team’s eighth consecutive postseason berth. The center back rose to meet a corner kick by Bradley Sample in the 76th minute, redirecting the ball into the far side of the net with a header that gave Suber his first goal of the season and his team a 2-0 lead.

In addition to his goal, Suber added 12 more clearances to maintain his league lead in that category, while also winning 4 of 6 aerial duels and adding a scoring chance created offensively. It is Suber’s first selection to the Team of the Week starting 11 this season, after twice earning bench spots in 2025.

On the bench of this week’s Team of the Week is Danny Griffin, who scored the opening goal in Saturday’s win with a sliding finish on a ball played across goal by Augi Williams. Griffin also had a team-leading five touches in the Indy box, connected on 11 of 16 passes in the final third and won possession five times, also the most on the team.

To see the full Team of the Week, visit uslchampionship.com.

The Hounds are back in action this Saturday, Oct. 18, when they visit Monterey Bay FC for a 10 p.m. kickoff (7 p.m. local time).

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