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Preview: Hounds at Rhode Island FC

Danny Griffin dribbles between Rhode Island FC defenders in the Pittsburgh Riverhounds' match July 25, 2026 at F.N.B. Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC) — *Danny Griffin dribbles between Rhode Island FC defenders in the Hounds’ match July 25 at F.N.B. Stadium. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC)*

Match Info

Riverhounds (12-11-5) vs. Rhode Island FC (12-11-5)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 17
Time: 7:30 p.m.
Location: Centreville Bank Stadium, Pawtucket, R.I.
Odds: Hounds +350 / Draw +230 / Rhode Island -130
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh+
Streaming: ESPN+
Radio: Radio Las Palmas, 92.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
Live statistics: USL Championship Match Center
Live updates: @RiverhoundsSC on X/Twitter
Match hashtag: #RIvPIT

PITTSBURGH (Oct. 15, 2026) — While not quite at the level of last year’s conference final, the stakes are still plenty high when the Hounds visit Rhode Island FC in their next-to-last match of the regular season.

The two teams enter the weekend tied for fourth in the Eastern Conference with identical 12-11-5 records, which means they share an identical path to a top-four finish. Either of the Hounds or Rhode Island can secure a home playoff match by winning their final two matches of the season and Louisville dropping points in just one of their three remaining contests. Failing to do so opens the door for either Louisville or Hartford — both of which trail fourth place by a single point — to snatch the No. 4 spot and a home game.

Rhode Island got the better of the Hounds in their first meeting of 2026 with a second-half goal by JJ Williams stealing a 1-0 win at F.N.B. Stadium on July 25. Williams will not be a factor in Saturday’s match, having been sold to Hearts in the Scottish Premiership back in August.

Before that, the Hounds had four wins and a draw in the first six meetings between the clubs. That includes a 1-0 win in their only previous visit to Centreville Bank Stadium, when New England native Danny Griffin helped christen the new stadium with the match’s lone goal back on May 24, 2025.

The Hounds are coming off a 2-1 win at home against Rhode Island’s rival, Hartford Athletic, and Charles Ahl was the attacking star on the night. The second-year pro set up Trevor Amann for the opening goal with his sixth assist (fifth in Championship play) of the season, and he bagged the game winner in the 66th minute to earn a spot on the league’s Team of the Week. Center back Owen Mikoy joined Ahl in the league honors after a dominant day, winning 13 of 14 duels and logging a season-high 16 clearances to keep Hartford at bay.

Rhode Island clinched its playoff spot less than 24 hours ago by earning a midweek win over Loudoun United FC, 1-0. Nick Scardina netted the only goal just three minutes into the match for the home side, but Rhode Island had to hold on late after going down a man when Yutaro Tsukada was sent off after a second yellow card in the 78th minute. Tsukada will be suspended for Saturday’s match.

SportsNet Pittsburgh+ will have live coverage of the match, and both SNP+ and the main SportsNet Pittsburgh channel will air replays throughout the rest of the weekend. Streaming coverage will be carried by ESPN+, and the Hounds’ partners at Radio Las Palmas, 92.9 FM HD2 will have coverage of the match and team in Spanish for their listeners.

Downloadable Game Notes

Will be posted when available

Vincent reflects on full year in the big chair

Pittsburgh Riverhounds head coach Rob Vincent takes notes while watching his team's 2-1 win over Hartford Athletic on Oct. 10, 2026 at F.N.B. Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC) — *Hounds head coach Rob Vincent takes notes while watching his team’s 2-1 win over Hartford Athletic last Saturday at F.N.B. Stadium. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC)*

On Oct. 10, 2025, the eve of a crucial match against Indy Eleven, Rob Vincent was called into an afternoon meeting at what was still known as Highmark Stadium, where he would receive some news he never expected.

Vincent learned then what the public would find out a few hours later: He had been appointed acting head coach of the Riverhounds while head coach Bob Lilley was placed on administrative leave.

The seven weeks that followed became legendary in the club’s history. A win in that first match against Indy helped propel the Hounds to the No. 4 seed in the East, and, as luck would have it, a path through the Eastern Conference Final entirely in Pittsburgh on the way to winning a first-ever league title in dramatic fashion at FC Tulsa in the USL Championship Final.

But after the whirlwind of those first months died down, reality took hold. In December, Vincent was named the club’s head coach on a permanent basis. And at that point, he was now the person in charge of assembling and preparing a team that could defend its USL Championship title.

Fast-forward to today: Vincent has now been in the head coaching role for a full 12 months. He celebrated the occasion with a 2-1 win over Hartford Athletic that confirmed the Hounds’ return to the playoffs, one year to the day after he assumed the acting head coach role.

So what has changed for Vincent, the youngest Championship-winning coach who turns 36 later this month, after 365 days as the man in charge?

“I think I’ve definitely grown a lot, and it has forced me to be really concrete in my ideas, and some of those ideas have evolved as the season’s gone on,” Vincent said. “I think any first-time head coach is going to have their ideal way of playing, but in practice, you have to adjust. When you’re in the head coach’s role, the learning curve becomes a lot steeper. But with a year under my belt, I feel a lot more prepared to be able to reflect on this season when it ends, and then bring us back even stronger next year.”

The one-year returns on Vincent’s time in charge have been strong. The win over Hartford improved the coach’s record to 19 wins, 12 losses and 11 draws across 42 matches in all competitions. That record works out to 1.67 points per game in the table, the third-best mark in club history behind only Lilley’s 1.71 and the 1.93 total of Ricardo Iribarren, whose two full seasons leading the team included the 2004 squad that went 19-3-1 after a drop to the third division.

But one thing Vincent has learned is that being the gaffer is more than setting the practice schedule and making the final decisions on the lineup sheet. The sheer volume of demands on a professional head coach makes time management and organization skills that are just as important as any tactical concerns.

“It was more than I probably expected. You certainly have to learn to delegate some of those responsibilities a little bit more,” Vincent said.

He explained: “A lot of the things I was doing in my assistant coach role, you develop a certain way of doing things, and now you have to hand off those responsibilities to other people. Then you have to start making the big decisions and handle things like media calls, managing the whole staff — the playing staff and the technical staff. It’s all part of the learning curve, and I haven’t gotten it spot-on every time, but I’m trying to grow and learn with each week that goes by, and I certainly feel more prepared now than I was eight months ago.”

By having that added responsibility, it also changes the interpersonal dynamics between Vincent and the players.

As an assistant, Vincent’s age and being the coach on staff whose own playing career ended most recently added a degree of relatability between him and the current players. While that didn’t go away with his promotion to the head coaching role, Vincent now has to weigh that against his role as the authority figure at the top.

“The communication with the players, I think I’ve had to figure out the balance as the season has gone on. How much is too much information, how much is not enough information? That’s both as a collective and on an individual basis,” Vincent said. “You’re always refining that communication process, and obviously, having those individual conversations with players — are they in the team, are they out of the team, what’s their role — Robbie (Mertz), for one, is playing a different role than he played in previous years. So it’s trying to get the balance right on communication with those players.”

Now isn’t the time for too much reflection, of course, with only two matches remaining in the regular season and playoffs right around the corner. Vincent’s focus, naturally, is on Rhode Island FC this Saturday and earning a home playoff match the highest possible seed in the bracket.

But after crossing the one-year mark, he did afford himself a moment to give the put the past 12 months in perspective.

“In many ways, it feels like it’s only just happened, but in some ways, it feels like this season has been a real long time, as well,” he said. “The focus is so much now on the stretch run, that I haven’t given much thought to what happened at the end of last season.”

Ahl, Mikoy land Team of the Week places

Pittsburgh Riverhounds defender Owen Mikoy leaps to head the ball in the rain during his team's 2-1 win over Hartford Athletic on Oct. 10, 2026 at F.N.B. Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC) — Owen Mikoy leaps to head the ball in the rain during the Hounds’ 2-1 win over Hartford Athletic last Saturday at F.N.B. Stadium. Mikoy and teammate Charles Ahl were named to the Team of the Week for their performances in the match. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC)

PITTSBURGH (Oct. 13, 2026) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC midfielder Charles Ahl and defender Owen Mikoy were selected to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 32, the league announced this afternoon.

Ahl was the offensive star Saturday in the Hounds’ 2-1 win over Hartford Athletic that clinched a playoff berth for the team. The second-year pro set up Trevor Amann for the opening goal of the match before scoring the game-winning goal in the 66th minute by turning a pass from Robbie Mertz into the top of the net from 6 yards out. In addition to his scoring contributions, Ahl was credited with two chances created, four recoveries, won 5 of 9 duels and drew three free kicks for the Hounds.

Mikoy had a nearly flawless night as a ball winner from his center back spot in the victory, recording a season-high 16 clearances and winning 10 of 11 aerial duels for the ball, part of a larger 13-for-14 night on duels. Now an regular starter for the Hounds in his first year as a pro, Mikoy led the team by gaining possession six times, including winning all three of his tackles in the match.

For both players, it is the first time earning a spot in the league’s weekly best 11, though both Ahl and Mikoy did earn bench honors on the Team of the Week once earlier this season.

The Hounds are back in action for their final road match of the regular season when they visit Rhode Island FC on Saturday, Oct. 17 in a 7:30 p.m. matchup with major playoff seeding implications in the Eastern Conference.

Hounds are playoff bound after downing Hartford

Charles Ahl looks skyward after scoring the winning goal in the Pittsburgh Riverhounds' 2-1 triumph over Hartford Athletic on Oct. 10, 2026 at F.N.B. Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC) — *Charles Ahl looks skyward after scoring the winning goal in the Hounds’ 2-1 triumph over Hartford Athletic on Saturday at F.N.B. Stadium. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC)*

PITTSBURGH (Oct. 10, 2026) — Trevor Amann and Charles Ahl scored, and the defending USL champion Pittsburgh Riverhounds are playoff bound for the ninth consecutive season after a 2-1 win over Hartford Athletic tonight at F.N.B. Stadium.

Amann started the scoring for the Hounds (12-11-5) just six minutes into the match before Michee Ngalina tied the score for Hartford (9-6-12) shortly before halftime. Ahl broke the deadlock midway through the second half after assisting on Amann’s opener, and the Hounds held on to win for the 14th time in 20 meetings with Hartford.

The win moves the Hounds into fourth in the Eastern Conference with two matches to play, but trailing teams Louisville, Hartford and Rhode Island — the Hounds’ next opponent — each have one match in hand in the race for a home playoff match.

First half

The Hounds were in front with the first shot on target in the match, which came after Ahl tracked down a ball near the left corner flag. Ahl had time to tee up a cross on his right foot, and Amann made the near post run to head the ball into the goal for his 12th goal of the season and eighth in league play.

Amann forced a save out of Hartford goalie Antony Siaha less than five minutes later, and then Ahl put a shot on target that created a second chance, but Robbie Mertz couldn’t turn the high-bouncing rebound back on target.

Hartford was held without a shot for the first 40 minutes of the match, but their first netted the tying goal.

Emmanuel Samadia sent a cross into the box from the left, and Ngalina met the pass with his head to turn the ball into the right side of the net. It was Ngalina’s fifth career goal against the Hounds, tying him with Lexington’s Cameron Lancaster for the most by an active player.

Second half

The Hounds continued to threaten early after the break with dangerous crosses from substitute Eliot Goldthorp and Perrin Barnes, while Hartford got its own early chance from a long-range shot by Barry Coffey that only missed slightly right of the goal.

The Hounds were back in front in the 66th minute after recovering the ball near midfield and pushing forward with a full team passing move. Barnes played a pass back to Danny Griffin, who sent Mertz toward the goal line right of the net with a low pass. Mertz hit a low pass through the goal box, and Ahl reacted first to get his right foot on the ball and lift a shot into the roof of the net. It was Ahl’s second goal of the season, and for Mertz, it was his 26th assist as a member of the Hounds, tying him with David Flavius for fourth on the team’s all-time list.

Hartford began pushing forward and playing directly, getting flagged for offside five times in the half and seven times total in the match. The Hounds’ defense held firm, allowing only five total shots and none on goal in the second half to hold on for victory.

Modelo Man of the Match

Charles Ahl was part of both of the Hounds’ goals, starting with his fifth assist of the season in Championship play and sixth in all competitions. He added the game-winning goal and also posted two chances created, connected on 24 of 30 passes and won 5 of 9 duels.

What’s next?

The Hounds head on the road for the final time in the regular season to face Rhode Island FC (11-11-5) at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 17 in Pawtucket. Rhode Island, which beat the Hounds earlier this season in Pittsburgh, 1-0, also plays a Wednesday match against Loudoun United FC and would clinch a playoff spot with a win.

Riverhounds SC lineup (4-2-3-1) — Nico Campuzano; Illal Osumanu, Owen Mikoy, Victor Souza, Perrin Barnes; Danny Griffin, Jackson Walti; Charles Ahl (Yu Tsukanome 78’), Sam Bassett, Robbie Mertz (Junior Etou 78’); Trevor Amann (Eliot Goldthorp 46’)

Hartford Athletic lineup (3-4-1-2) — Antony Siaha; Matt Real (Baboucarr Njie 76’), Jordan Scarlett (TJ Presthus 46’), Adrian Diz Pe; Emmanuel Samadia, Michael Adedokun, Junior Moreira, Sebastian Anderson; Barry Coffey (Ben Mines 76’); Sadat Anaku (Adewole Obalola 73’), Michee Ngalina (Augi Williams 73’)

Scoring summary

PIT — Trevor Amann 6’ (Charles Ahl)
HFD — Michee Ngalina 41’ (Emmanuel Samadia)
PIT — Charles Ahl 66’ (Robbie Mertz)

Discipline summary

HFD — Sadat Anaku 13’ (caution – tactical foul)
PIT — Trevor Amann 21’ (caution – reckless foul)
PIT — Nico Campuzano 89’ (caution – delaying restart)
PIT — Yu Tsukanome 90+5’ (caution – tactical foul)

Game Day: Hounds vs. Hartford Athletic

Smoke rises from the Paul Child Stand prior to the Pittsburgh Riverhounds match against the Charleston Battery on Aug. 15, 2026 at F.N.B. Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC)

Match Info

Riverhounds (11-11-5) vs. Hartford Athletic (9-5-12)
Date: Saturday, Oct. 10
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: F.N.B. Stadium
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Odds: Hounds +100 / Draw +220 / Hartford +260
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh+
Streaming: CBS Sports Golazo Network
Radio: Radio Las Palmas, 92.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
Live statistics: USL Championship Match Center
Live updates: @RiverhoundsSC on X/Twitter
Match hashtag: #PITvHFD

PITTSBURGH (Oct. 8, 2026) — Only three matches remain on the Hounds’ regular-season schedule, and the playoff picture remains wide open heading into a pivotal home match Saturday when Hartford Athletic comes to town.

Hartford leads the Hounds by only a point for the fourth seed and last home playoff spot in the Eastern Conference, but with the Connecticut side also holding a match in hand, the Hounds need a victory to stay in the hunt for a top-four finish and more playoff soccer at F.N.B. Stadium. At the same time, a Hounds victory — paired with a loss or draw by either Indy Eleven or Miami FC — would secure the team’s ninth straight playoff appearance, while Hartford has its own paths to clinching with a result this weekend.

Though the Hounds have had the upper hand in the all-time series with 13 wins and four draws in 19 meetings, the past two times the teams have linked up have been cagey, 0-0 draws, starting with the 120 minute battle in last year’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinals from which the Hounds advanced on penalty kicks. This year’s scoreless meeting in Hartford at the end of June saw the sides come out nearly even in every metric: Shots were tied, 8-8; Hartford had 51 percent of possession; and Nico Campuzano had to come up with three saves for his clean sheet, one more save than needed by Hartford’s Antony Siaha.

Befitting those head-to-head results, the two sides are among the best in the league defensively. Hartford’s 26 goals allowed are fifth-best in the league, one spot better than the Hounds with 27 goals allowed, as both teams average exactly one goal allowed per game. Michee Ngalina, who was Hartford’s most dangerous player in the first meeting, leads the visitors with nine goal contributions on the season (five goals, four assists), while the Hounds are looking two end a two-match run without a goal since Sam Bassett bagged his sixth of the year, the match winner against Loudoun back on Sept. 12.

The Hounds do come in with fresher legs after having not played last weekend while Hartford hosted the Prinx Tires USL Cup Final on Sunday. Beto Ydrach, who suffered a concussion while playing for Puerto Rico in the CONCACAF Nations League two weeks ago, returned to training this week. Lasse Kelp also has been back on the training field working toward a return to full sessions, and the added time off has been beneficial for other players nursing minor bumps and bruises as the team preps for a strong finish.

The return to F.N.B. Stadium comes with a pair of celebrations Saturday night, the biggest of which is the team’s annual Hispanic Heritage Night, presented by Las Palmas Pittsburgh. Radio Las Palmas, which will also have live coverage of the match, will be helping out by providing a Hispanic-influenced playlist for the night, along with public address announcements in Spanish as we celebrate our region’s growing Hispanic community.

Saturday also will bring a throwback to the 1980s with the Pittsburgh Spirit Reunion taking place over the weekend. Some of the most well-known players from the popular Major Indoor Soccer League team will be honored at the match to celebrate 40 years since the team’s final season, and the Hounds will be wearing special Spirit-inspired warm-up jerseys prior to the match. Those jerseys will be auctioned off at a later date, and special Spirit merchandise will be available at the team store to commemorate the occasion.

A limited number of tickets for the match are still available through Ticketmaster and at the F.N.B. Stadium Box Office with a big crowd expected for the first home match in a month. Fans unable to make the match will be able to tune in locally on SportsNet Pittsburgh+ or catch the live stream on the CBS Sports Golazo Network. Replays will also air throughout the weekend both on SNP+ and the main SportsNet Pittsburgh channel.

Downloadable Game Notes

Game Notes vs. Hartford, 10/10/26 Download

Playoff picture takes shape for final month

Pittsburgh Riverhounds teammates Albert Dikwa (center) and Lasse Kelp push past Indy Eleven's Josh O'Brien (left) to win a header in the Hounds' 1-0 victory on June 13, 2026 at F.N.B. Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC) — Hounds teammates Albert Dikwa (middle) and Lasse Kelp push past Indy Eleven’s Josh O’Brien (left) to win a header in the Hounds’ 1-0 victory on June 13 at F.N.B. Stadium. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC)

October has arrived, and with it comes scoreboard watching season in the USL Championship as the playoff picture becomes clearer.

The Hounds are on the cusp of securing their ninth consecutive playoff appearance — the second-longest active streak in the league — and officially locking down a chance to defend the league title in the postseason. The team’s recent history in October bodes well for the team currently holding fifth place in the Eastern Conference. Since 2019, the Hounds are 15-3-5 in October regular-season matches, with none of those defeats coming later on the calendar than Oct. 4.

But, as the schedule fell for 2026, the Hounds don’t play on the first weekend of the month, meaning this weekend will be a time for the team to rest and the fans to keep their eyes on results around the league and how they impact the USL Championship Standings.

As we hit the weekend, here are the matches that will have the biggest impact on the Hounds’ eventual playoff position.

Miami FC at Tampa Bay Rowdies, 7:30 p.m. Saturday

While it stung for the Hounds when Miami stole a point at the final whistle in their match back on Sept. 6, that result proved to be a springboard for the Floridians to get back into playoff contention. Miami has climbed back into eighth by going 3-0-2 over its past five matches, but they will have to keep the streak going against the Rowdies — who are trying to clinch the Players’ Shield and top seed — if Miami is to catch the Hounds.

Should Miami fail to score the upset in St. Petersburg, the Hounds would need only three points (if Miami draws) or two points (if Miami loses) from their remaining three matches to be assured of postseason soccer. That makes cheering for the Rowdies and their five ex-Hounds on the roster the most straightforward path to the postseason.

Indy Eleven at Loudoun United FC, 6 p.m. Saturday

While Miami has been trending upward, Indy has been moving the opposite direction with three straight losses to fall, at least temporarily, below the playoff line. The Eleven also has just one home match remaining — next weekend against Tampa Bay — but they still have the advantage of a match in hand on both Miami and the Hounds.

With the extra game to be played, Indy can’t immediately set the Hounds up to clinch next weekend. But, a Loudoun win would still work to the Hounds’ favor, as one Hounds win and any two Indy losses in their final four matches would also be a clinching combo for the black & yellow.

Rhode Island FC at Brooklyn FC, 7 p.m. Saturday

Rhode Island handed Indy its most recent defeat, and it’s for that reason that the Eleven are at greater risk than the side the Hounds defeated in last year’s Eastern Conference Final.

Rhode Island is just three points behind the Hounds, but with the two teams slated to meet in Pawtucket on Oct. 17, dropped points by the Ocean Staters between then and now could set the Hounds up to clinch with a road win on the 17th, if things haven’t yet been locked up.

Prinx Tires USL Cup Final, Louisville City FC at Hartford Athletic, 3 p.m. Sunday

Being the league cup final, the game has no bearing on the playoff picture. But by coincidence, the final pairs the two teams the Hounds are battling for the No. 4 seed and a home match to open the postseason.

The Hounds host Hartford in their next match on Oct. 10, which could be a make-or-break contest for the team’s hopes of hosting. Hartford is a point ahead of the Hounds and has one match in hand, making the next meeting vital. Louisville trails the Hounds by a point, but they also have a match in hand, meaning the Hounds will need each of those teams to drop points at least once in addition to winning head-to-head against Hartford if they hope to host again in the playoffs.

While the Hounds mathematically could catch either second-place Charleston or third-place Detroit, that would require the Battery to drop three of its last four or Detroit to drop two of its last four, at minimum, making the race for fourth the one to watch in the East.

Orange County squeezes late win from Hounds

Charles Ahl dribbles away from Orange County SC defender Ryan Doghman in the Pittsburgh Riverhounds' match on Sept. 26, 2026 at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, Calif. (Photo: Orange County SC) — *Charles Ahl dribbles away from Orange County SC defender Ryan Doghman in the Hounds’ match Saturday at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, Calif. (Photo: Orange County SC)*

(Sept. 26, 2026) — Substitute Yaniv Bazini scored in the 90th minute, sending the Pittsburgh Riverhounds to a 1-0 defeat at Orange County SC tonight at Championship Soccer Stadium in Irvine, Calif.

It was the second straight loss by that score for the Hounds (11-11-5), who held a 14-11 edge in shots in the match. The team has lost consecutive matches for the first time since July 25 and 29.

Orange County (10-7-9), meanwhile, continues to have the Hounds’ number, holding a 7-1-3 record against Pittsburgh since the teams first met in 2011.

First half

Orange County came out on the ball more, on the way to having 57.7 percent of possession for the match, but it was the Hounds who created the best early chances.

A free kick in the 11th minute served to the front of goal by Charles Ahl was headed to the front of net by Owen Mikoy. Albert Dikwa tried to turn the loose ball into the net, but his effort was blocked away by the traffic in front of goal.

Dikwa continued to be a presence in the box, logging a match-high four shots, and he put a pair of headed efforts toward goal but off target in the first 20 minutes.

Ahl had the best chance of the half when he swiped the ball from the Orange County defense to get into the box alone in the 29th minute. Orange County goalkeeper Alex Rando was quickly off his line to make the close-range save — one of three on the night — and then cover the rebound.

The half ended with Orange County’s Kevin Partida having a shot from distance saved by the Hounds’ Nico Campuzano; it was the only shot on target in the half for the hosts.

Second half

Orange County came out trying for goal early, as Ousmane Sylla and Marcelo Palomino both took shots from distance that missed the target in the opening 10 minutes of the half.

The Hounds had fewer chances after the break — only four shots, compared to 10 in the first half — and their most dangerous moment came in the 63rd minute when Perrin Barnes forced a save by getting to the front of goal and redirecting a ball across from Dikwa on the right side.

The decisive moment came at the end of the 90 minutes, when the Hounds were unable to get a ball clear from their box. A header by Mikoy fell to Bazini’s feet at the edge of the box, and the Orange County forward controlled the ball on his chest before striking it on a hop into the left side of the net.

Modelo Man of the Match

Charles Ahl was dangerous throughout the night, winning the ball on the press and setting up chances. He finished with three shots (one on target), a team-best three chances created, won 6 of 10 duels, connected on 37 of a team-leading 44 passes and won four free kicks.

What’s next?

The Hounds have their final off weekend of the season next, and they will be back in action on Saturday, Oct. 10 when they host Hartford Athletic in a crucial matchup for Eastern Conference playoff seeding. Hartford (9-5-12) currently sits a point ahead of the Hounds for a spot in the top four and a home playoff match.

Riverhounds SC lineup (4-3-3) — Nico Campuzano; Illal Osumanu, Owen Mikoy, Victor Souza, Perrin Barnes; Robbie Mertz, Jackson Walti, Sam Bassett; Charles Ahl (Junior Etou 85’), Albert Dikwa (Trevor Amann 78’), Yu Tsukanome (Eliot Goldthorp 63’)

Orange County SC lineup (4-4-2) — Alex Rando; Ryan Doghman, Tyson Espy, Tom Brewitt, Jaylin Lindsey; Chris Hegardt (Mataeo Bunbury 86’), Kevin Partida (Stephen Kelly 46’), Ousmane Sylla, Marcelo Palomino (Efren Solis 71’); Lyam MacKinnon (Yaniv Bazini 63’), Mouhamadou War (Sydney Wathuta 63’)

Scoring summary

OC — Yaniv Bazini 90’

Discipline summary

OC — Marcelo Palomino 45’ (caution – persistent infringement)
PIT — Jackson Walti 80’ (caution – tactical foul)

Game Day: Hounds at Orange County SC

Pittsburgh Riverhounds defender Owen Mikoy plays a pass in the team's 3-1 win over the Charleston Battery on Aug. 16, 2026 at F.N.B. Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC) — *Hounds defender Owen Mikoy plays a pass in the team’s 3-1 win over the Charleston Battery on Aug. 16 at F.N.B. Stadium. (Photo: Chris Cowger/Riverhounds SC)*

Match Info

Riverhounds (11-10-5) vs. Orange County SC (9-7-9)
Date: Saturday, Sept. 26
Time: 10 p.m.
Location: Championship Soccer Stadium, Irvine, Calif.
Odds: Hounds +140 / Draw +200 / Orange County +190
TV: SportsNet Pittsburgh
Streaming: CBS Sports Golazo Network
Radio: Radio Las Palmas, 92.9 FM HD2 (Spanish)
Live statistics: USL Championship Match Center
Live updates: @RiverhoundsSC on X/Twitter
Match hashtag: #OCvPIT

PITTSBURGH (Sept. 24, 2026) — One last trip to the West Coast and one final late-night match for 2026 await the Hounds on Saturday, as they wrap up their September slate with a visit to Orange County SC.

It will be the Hounds’ first trip to Southern California in three seasons, and though the history has not been great against the team that originated as the Los Angeles Blues — the Hounds are 1-6-3 all-time vs. the club — in this instance they’re catching the hosts in a bit of a spiral as they fight to stay in playoff position in the Western Conference.

Orange County is winless since toppling El Paso on Aug. 1, going 0-5-2 in their past seven matches. That includes a rough 6-0 defeat last weekend at Lexington that continued the team’s drop from the top of the West to the final playoff spot, only three points clear of Las Vegas in ninth. When things have been clicking for Orange County, it has been Yaniv Bazini (eight goals) and Ousmane Sylla (five goals) packing the scoring punch, and Chris Hegardt making things happen in midfield with a team-best five assists.

For the Hounds, the chance to officially clinch their postseason spot remains in front of them after last week’s setback in Detroit. A win in Orange County, coupled with a Miami loss or draw at Indy, would be enough to ensure the team’s record ninth consecutive playoff appearance and a shot to defend the league title in this year’s USL Championship Playoffs.

The scoring pace has dropped over the past month for the Hounds with multiple goals in only one of the past six matches, but they’ll hope to be able to exploit an Orange County defense in the bottom third of the league with 40 goals allowed in 25 matches. Trevor Amann still paces the Hounds with 11 total goals — seven in league play — but his only tally of the month thus far came from the penalty spot against Miami. Sam Bassett has the team’s two most recent goals to bring his tally to six on the year, while Albert Dikwa is still on seven goals and searching for his first since returning from injury three matches ago.

The match will be the second and final one in the Pacific Time Zone for the Hounds this season, and the last one worked out well with a 1-0 win at Oakland on Aug. 1. It is also the last Western Conference opponent on the schedule for the Hounds, who will wind things down with three Eastern opponents in October.

Fans will be able to catch the 10 p.m Eastern kickoff live on SportsNet Pittsburgh, and streaming coverage will be shown on CBS Sports Golazo Network. SportsNet and SNP+ will also carry replays of the match throughout the weekend, and our Spanish-language partners at Radio Las Palmas, 92.9 FM HD2 will also have coverage of the action and the team as the postseason draws nearer.

Downloadable Game Notes

Game Notes at Orange County, 9/26/26 Download

Ydrach back with Puerto Rico for Nations League

Beto Ydrach steps to win the ball for the Pittsburgh Riverhounds in their match with the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Aug. 29, 2026 at F.N.B. Stadium in Pittsburgh. (Photo: Ian Simms/Riverhounds SC) — *Hounds defender Beto Ydrach will be back with the Puerto Rico National Team for their CONCACAF Nations League matches beginning Thursday in Roseau, Dominica. (Photo: Ian Simms/Riverhounds SC)*

PITTSBURGH (Sept. 22, 2026) — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC defender Beto Ydrach has been called into the Puerto Rico National Team for the squad’s upcoming matches in the CONCACAF Nations League beginning this week.

Ydrach, 25, is set to be available for El Huracán Azul as they play their first two matches of group play in the League B tournament as they face Guyana on Thursday, Sept. 24 and Dominica on Sunday, Sept. 27. All of the matches on the first two match days in the group — which also features the Cayman Islands as the fourth team — will be played at Windsor Park, Dominica’s national stadium in the capital, Roseau.

With 17 international appearances to his name in addition to his USL Championship title with the Hounds in 2025, Ydrach is one of the more experienced players in the Puerto Rico side. He did not appear for his country in two friendlies played this year, last suiting up with them for an Oct. 14 friendly against a star-studded Argentina side.

Ydrach will only miss one match with the Hounds; he will be unavailable for the team’s match this Saturday at Orange County SC. This season, Ydrach missed more than four months recovering from hernia surgery, but he has started three of the past four matches and has eight total appearances on the year.

Puerto Rico will aim to top their group, which would secure advancement to the Nations League semifinals, a spot in League A for the 2028-29 Nations League and automatic qualification to the 2027 CONCACAF Gold Cup. The best group runners-up will advance to 2027 Gold Cup preliminary qualification.

Pittsburgh Spirit Reunion coming to Hounds’ Oct. 10 match

PITTSBURGH (Sept. 23, 2026) — Absolute Magic will happen at F.N.B. Stadium with the Pittsburgh Spirit Reunion taking place during the Pittsburgh Riverhounds match against Hartford Athletic on Saturday, Oct. 10 at 7 p.m.

The Spirit was one of the six founding clubs of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), and the team represented a strong foundation for soccer in Pittsburgh and held a unique affinity with the fan base during its run from 1978-86. This year marks 40 years since the team was disbanded, and former Spirit players and staff are coming together at F.N.B Stadium to celebrate that special history.

Spirit alumni will be honored as part of the in-stadium festivities at the Riverhounds match on Oct. 10, and the Hounds will be seen wearing Spirit-inspired warm-up jerseys during pregame. Those jerseys, along with Spirit T-shirts, hats and scarves will be on sale during the match. Tickets for the Oct. 10 match are available now through Ticketmaster or by visiting Riverhounds.com.

In preparation for the Spirit Reunion, media members are invited to catch up with some of the former players during an interview taping and media availability Monday, Sept. 28 from 1-3 p.m. at the AHN Montour Sports Complex in Coraopolis. Among those expected to be in attendance are Paul Child, Dave MacKenzie, Bobby Vosmaer, Joe Luxbacher and head coach John Kowalski.

A VIP Welcome Event for Spirit alumni and special guests will be held Friday, Oct. 9 at F.N.B. Stadium, and Spirit fans are able to attend the event and catered dinner for $55 per person. Registration for the Welcome Event is online at PittsburghSpirit.com.

From 1978-86, the Spirit rocked the Civic Arena and gave the city its first taste of professional indoor soccer. The Spirit played a fast, physical game that most American fans had never seen before with recognizable stars such as Child and Stan Terlecki. Pittsburgh fans fell in love with the game along with clever promotions like the Chili Goal (the seventh goal of the game), Hot Legs contest and others. Success was measured with average attendance of more than 8,000 at home games in several seasons. The 1983–84 Spirit team went 32–16, the best regular season in club history, but two years later, owner Edward J. DeBartolo Sr. elected to end the franchise on April 11, 1986 to focus on his resurgent hockey franchise, the Pittsburgh Penguins.

Thanks to organizing efforts among the Riverhounds, former Spirit and Hounds head coach Kowalski, former Spirit play-by-play announcer Keith James and Spirit Historian Patrick McCarthy, this will be an excellent affair to take part in and remember the excitement and history of Pittsburgh Spirit soccer.

For media information or to arrange interviews or photo opportunities, please contact Keith James with the Spirit Reunion at 412-297-3129 or spiritreunion@mail.com or Hounds Director of Communications Matt Grubba at 412-325-7229 or media@riverhounds.com.

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