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The Riverhounds have faced a long, winding road throughout the first part of the 2017 season.

Season-ending injuries permanently removed Ben Swanson and Rich Balchan from the lineup. Other key contributors, such as Victor Souto and Kay Banjo, also missed significant time due to injury.

Most recently, goalkeeper Trey Mitchell sustained an injury during pregame warm ups before a home match against Tampa Bay on June 22. The Alta Loma, California native fell on his shoulder, which forced Keasel Broome into the starting lineup.

“I think pretty quickly we looked each other in the eye – the guys, the starters, the 18, each other and me – and said ‘everybody’s got to step up and let’s go,’” head coach Dave Brandt said.

Broome said he never faced a situation like this in his career, but he was more than ready for the challenge ahead of him. Despite the emergency notice, the keeper recorded five saves and a clean sheet in Pittsburgh’s 2-0 win against the Rowdies.

“It’s part of the game,” Broome said after the match. “Only one keeper gets to play and you have to wait your turn. It’s unfortunate how it happened because you never want someone to get hurt, especially your own teammate.”

This predicament serves as a microcosm for the Hounds in 2017. When players have exited the lineup due to suspension or injury, another player has been there to fill the void.

Although it is a problem hardly to be desired, Brandt prepared his team for challenges such as this during training camp and preseason play this past winter. He conjured the motto “push the wheel” for his team prior the 2017 campaign and it has been something that has resonated throughout the first half of the season.

The wheel in this phrase serves as something heavy and challenging to turn. If there are enough people working in unison, however, this wheel can be moved or pushed – and even gain momentum.

In 2017, injuries and lineup changes mirror this wheel as an obstacle the Hounds have needed to hurdle. Together, the team has pushed through these issues and remains very much in the hunt for a playoff spot, being only three points behind fourth place in the Eastern Conference as of June 28.

“Stuff happens to more teams than just our team,” Brandt said, “but it feels like we’ve been getting hit hard lately.”

As the Hounds complete a formidable first half of the 2017 campaign against the Charlotte Independence this Fourth of July, here is a look back at key moments of the season thus far.

Best Goal: Victor Souto vs. Toronto FC II on May 3

Pittsburgh and Toronto FC II were deadlocked at 0-0 in the 22nd minute, but Victor Souto would soon change that. The midfielder cleared space and launched a strike from about 30 yards away from the net. The ball sailed past defenders and the opposing goalkeeper into the top-right corner of the goal. The tally went on to be the eventual game-winner and earned the Brazil native the No. 2 spot on SportsCenter’s Top 10 countdown of the best plays in sports.

Best Goal Celebration: Corey Hertzog and ball boy vs. New York on March 25

Against New York Red Bulls II, Corey Hertzog weaved through the defense along the end line. Once he snuck by the charging goalkeeper, the forward sent the ball into the back of the net. To celebrate his tally, Hertzog ran over to a ball boy behind the net and picked him up. The ball boy, who the striker had helped coach, briefly found himself in the center of attention during a key moment of Pittsburgh’s 3-3 draw in the season opener.

Best Assist: Kevin Kerr at Charleston on April 8

It was all tied up in stoppage time when the Hounds battled Charleston in a tough road test, but the Black and Gold had one last scoring chance up its sleeve. Kevin Kerr sent a cross into the box from about 20 yards away, and the ball landed directly atop of a diving Corey Hertzog’s head before finding the back of the net. Kerr’s assist clinched a 2-1 victory for the Hounds.

Best Save(s): Keasel Broome vs. Tampa Bay on June 22

Sometimes one save isn’t enough, as Keasel Broome and the Hounds defense discovered in a home clash against Tampa Bay. The goalkeeper fought off an onslaught of shots in stoppage time, making a ridiculous three saves in four seconds. Broome’s efforts preserved the shutout, and Pittsburgh won the match, 2-0.

Forwards: Corey Hertzog and Romeo Parkes

Corey Hertzog leads Pittsburgh in shots (49), goals (6) and points (13), in addition to starting every game this season. The striker was named USL Player of the Week after scoring two goals in the season opener against New York Red Bulls II. On the other hand, Romeo Parkes, a midseason signee, has scored two goals in seven appearances. Parkes has been rather accurate with his shooting, as nine of his 14 shots have been on target. This frontline duo has combined for 47 percent of Pittsburgh’s shots on goal this year.

Midfielders: Marshall Hollingsworth, Kevin Kerr, Victor Souto and Ben Fitzpatrick

Marshall Hollingsworth ranks second on the Hounds with six points (two goals and two assists) for the 2017 campaign. Tagging right behind the Columbus Crew SC loanee is Kevin Kerr, who has five points (one goal and three assists) on the season. The team captain is the only player to not miss one second of game time, logging a full-90 minutes in each of his 15 starts. Rookies Ben Fitzpatrick and Victor Souto have served as a large boost for the Hounds. Fitzpatrick has 14 tackles compared to only two fouls in six matches whereas Souto leads the team with 33 tackles despite missing five games due to a knee injury. For the seventh week of the season, Souto was named to the USL Team of the Week.

Defenders: Taylor Washington, Jamal Jack, Joe Greenspan and Lalas Abubakar

This group of defenders ranks 1-4 on the team in clearances. Jamal Jack leads Pittsburgh with 54 clearances on the season whereas Lalas Abubakar leads Pittsburgh in the statistic on a per game basis, recording 9.2 clearances per match played. Starting at center back for eight games, Joe Greenspan was twice named to the USL Team of the Week while on loan from Minnesota United FC. As a wingback, Taylor Washington is tied for second on the team with 30 tackles.

Goalkeeper: Trey Mitchell

Starting 12 games on the season, Trey Mitchell has found a home in net during his first year in Pittsburgh. The goalkeeper leads the Hounds with a 1.00 goals against average, four wins and four clean sheets, which includes a stretch of three straight shutouts. He has blocked away 32 shots, made a season-high five saves against Louisville City FC on May 20 and holds the team lead with a .727 save percentage.

The Riverhounds (5-6-4) won the first match of their two-game home stand against Tampa Bay, 2-0, on June 22. Pittsburgh now looks to grab back-to-back victories and turns its attention to a July 4 showdown against the Charlotte Independence (6-3-4). This will be the second meeting between these Eastern Conference foes, as the first clash resulted in a 1-1 draw.

Jamaican Me Crazy

Last time out against Tampa Bay, forwards Chevy Walsh and Romeo Parkes, each natives of Jamaica, accounted for both of the Hounds’ tallies. Walsh scored his first goal of the season on a shot from atop of the 18-yard box whereas Parkes’ finish came on a late-game breakaway. Both strikers should create additional scoring opportunities against Charlotte.

En(zo) Fuego

Enzo Martinez has been heating up for the Charlotte Independence. The midfielder recorded both of the Charlotte’s goals in its win against Richmond on June 24 and leads the team with six goals and 13 points. The Hounds will need to lock in on Martinez this Fourth of July.

Losing Time

The Hounds’ possession time has decreased in each of their past four games from 50.1 percent to a 37.8 percent. In these four games, Pittsburgh has compiled a 1-2-1 record. The Hounds’ season-low for possession time (29.1 percent) came during their first meeting against the Independence earlier this year.

Center back Gale Agbossoumonde recorded a season-high eight clearances last time out against Tampa Bay. The defender now has 12 clearances in 278 minutes this season, and the Hounds will continue to rely on his clearing abilities.

The Hounds have a plus-2 corner differential in the first half this season, but the second half tells a different story. Opponents have outnumbered Pittsburgh in corner kicks, 41-26, in the second half of games. The Black and Gold will need to flip this second-half script on Tuesday.

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds’ (5-6-4) next match features a mid-table battle with the Charlotte Independence (6-3-4); a clash fit for Independence Day. The two teams have already met once this season in a game that ended 1-1. The Independence have never conceded a win against the Hounds, boasting a 4-0-2 all-time record against Pittsburgh. 

The game kicks off at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, July 4, at Highmark Stadium. Tickets are still available and can be purchased at www.riverhounds.com.

Charlotte comes into the game in fifth place in the USL Eastern Conference, six spots above the Riverhounds. The Independence are currently fifth in the USL in goal conversion rate at 18.8 percent. They has scored 21 goals from 112 shots compared to the Hounds’ 15 goals from 139 shots (10.8 percent).

This season, the Independence has been just as good on the road as at home, earning 11 of its 22 points from away games. Away from home, Charlotte has a goal difference of 0, scoring and conceding nine goals. 

If the Hounds want to slow down the successful Charlotte attack, they first must focus on midfielder Jorge Herrera. The Colombia native leads the team in assists with three and also has four goals on the season. He also leads the team in chances created with 18. While his long pass success rate is 81.8 percent, his pass accuracy in the opponents’ half is only 68.8 percent. If the Hounds can keep pressure on Herrera in their own half, they could limit the number of chances Charlotte gets in the game.

Strengths:

• Conversion – The Independence does not need many opportunities to score goals. Charlotte does not have a player in the top 20 for chances in the Eastern Conference, but midfielder Enzo Martinez is tied for fifth for goals with six.
• Aerial duels – Of Charlotte’s top 10 players in aerial duels won, seven have won at least half of the aerial dues they have attempted. The Hounds will need to be aggressive in the air to win possession of 50/50 balls.
• Recent results – The Independence come to Highmark Stadium after three straight victories, which include its only two clean sheets so far this season. The Hounds must score early against a team with a high defensive morale.

Weaknesses:

• Passing in opponents’ half – This season, Charlotte has only five players with a passing accuracy above 70 percent in its opponents’ half. If the Hounds take advantage of this, it could mean more possession in the midfield and in Charlotte’s half.
• Time off – While the Hounds have had 12 days of rest since their last game, the Independence has only had three days of rest since its last game. Fatigue may become a factor later in the game against a well-rested Hounds side.

It looked as if the Riverhounds went back in time.

Pittsburgh (5-6-4), in the midst of a mid-season slump, fielded a lineup that had more 2015 written on it than 2017.

Against Tampa Bay (6-4-6) on Thursday, the Hounds’ first showdown with the Rowdies since they defeated the foe 1-0 in the Third Round of the 2015 U.S. Open Cup, head coach Dave Brandt called upon longtime veterans Danny Earls, Kevin Kerr and Mike Green to take the pitch – the second time this group has all started together this campaign.

The result was just what Brandt had in mind, as the trio helped Pittsburgh to a 2-0 victory – its first win since May 13. Forwards Chevy Walsh (11th minute) and Romeo Parkes (88th minute) provided the scoring in the match.

“We’ve got a number of guys that can play,” Brandt said. “I thought it was time tonight for a little bit of a shakeup.”

Helping fill in for usual starters Victor Souto (who has missed time due to a knee injury) and Taylor Washington (out of Thursday’s game due to yellow card accumulation), Earls and Green were on top of their game.

“Danny sat in the hole defensively just like we needed him to do,” Brandt said. “Just took care of business, stayed disciplined defensively in terms of fouls and cards. I thought it was very, very good.”

Together, the trio has combined for more than 10 years of playing experience for the Black and Gold. Kerr leads the three in playing time and is the only player for the Hounds to not miss one minute this season. Starting on both the frontline and in the midfield, the team captain has posted five points in 15 games.

Green and Earls have played more sporadically, however. Green has appeared in nine games whereas Earls made just his second appearance on Thursday.

Despite limited playing time this season, both Green and Earls were more than ready to step in for Pittsburgh.

“Both of those guys were rock solid tonight,” Brandt said.

Earls tied for the Hounds lead with three tackles whereas Green racked up four clearances, which was third most on the team. It is unclear when the next time Kerr, Earls and Green will all start together, but the three are still more than capable of leading the Hounds to three points.

“I was really upset after Orlando City,” Brandt said. “It was a winnable game. Toronto was a winnable game, and we had to fight back even to earn just a point there. We’ve given some points away. It was just really important for us to respond tonight.”

Practice was wrapping up, but one group still remained on the field.

As head coach Dave Brandt closed a mid-June training session, he continued to drill offensive set plays with members of the Riverhounds frontline.

Forwards walked through free kicks from atop the 18-yard box. Some set pieces consisted of direct shots at the net, which was defended by goalkeeper Trey Mitchell. Other set plays were more intricate, involving a couple passes before a shot was ripped toward the goal.

The latter of these rehearsals best resembled Pittsburgh’s equalizer against Toronto FC II on June 10, as multiple players were incorporated into the scoring effort. In the 87th minute, Romeo Parkes fired a shot after fellow teammates Kenroy Howell and Corey Hertzog bluffed on touching the ball.

“Where I’m coming from, I used to practice it,” Parkes said about shooting from the set piece. “Coming here is like it’s in me already.”

This was Parkes’ first tally since signing with the Hounds on May 5. The Jamaican native has been the one of the most efficient members of the Black and Gold at placing his shots on goal, as 58 percent of his strikes have been on target.

“He’s big, he’s strong, he’s fast, good with the ball,” Hertzog said. “He’s like every forward’s dream.”

One of Parkes’ best attributes is his speed, especially on the break. When Parkes makes his run, he prefers to switch up his moves to keep defenders off guard and exude a sense of unpredictability. The striker also relies on chemistry and rarely signals to his teammates, so he does not draw attention from opposing backlines when the break begins.

“They know,” Parkes said about his teammates’ intuition on the break. “You go silent, then you have a better chance.”

Hertzog said he and Parkes have good awareness of each other up top. The duo tries to make runs off each other in give-and-go situations and Hertzog tries to play the ball at Parkes’ feet – just how he likes it.

In 2016, Parkes made six appearances for Pittsburgh and amassed five goals, all of which came during a five-game scoring streak. This scoring stretch began against the very same Toronto team the striker earlier had beat for his first goal of the 2017 campaign.

Like he did last year, Parkes and his teammates hope he can once again ride the momentum of his first tally.

“Hopefully he can keep that going,” Hertzog said. “Romeo creates chances on his own with his strength and his speed, so I expect a lot more goals coming from him.”

For more than one month now, the Hounds have been left without one of their best offensive threats.

Last playing against Ottawa Fury FC on May 13, Kay Banjo has missed time due to a knee injury.

“He comes in with a positive attitude every day,” Hertzog said. “Just telling him to get stronger and keep focusing on getting back on the field. He’s taken it really well.”

Despite playing a full-90 minutes only once in seven appearances, Banjo had managed to place four of his seven shots on target and record five points, which still ranks third on the team.

Now in the midst of the rookie’s absence, Pittsburgh’s frontline depth has taken a hit. In addition to Banjo’s injury, Kevin Kerr has switched to a midfield role whereas John Manga is expected to join the Premier Development League’s Ocean City Nor’easters, a team that recently agreed to a developmental partnership with the Hounds. This leaves Chevaughn Walsh as the squad’s only main option as a frontline substitute.

Hertzog said he also has altered his responsibilities during Banjo’s absence, now more so taking his role to hold up the ball rather than playing to drop in behind the defense.

“It’ll be huge when he gets back to hold up the ball,” Hertzog said. “I think we’re playing well, though.”

By the numbers, it was the Hounds’ best offensive outburst this season.

In a June 3 showdown against Orlando City B, Pittsburgh recorded 19 shots and nine shots on goal, both season-high totals.

Hertzog tallied the first goal of the game in the 30th minute, coming off a corner kick. Kerr passed the ball in to Jack Thompson, who then played the sphere back to the team captain.

Kerr then sent a ball into the penalty area, which bounced to Hertzog before being ripped into the goal. The tally provided the Hounds with a 1-0 lead at the time.

Despite the shot totals and the early lead, the Black and Gold ultimately fell to Orlando City B, 2-1. None of Pittsburgh’s 13 second-half shots could find their way past the opposing goalkeeper.

“I think we’re clicking,” Hertzog said. “Once we get a couple goals to go in, I think the floodgates will open and we’ll hopefully score a lot of goals.”

The gates did not open in the ensuing game, however, and the Hounds had much of the same results. In a June 10 tilt at Toronto FC II, Pittsburgh cumulated 15 shots and six shots on goal – both totals only outdone by its efforts during the aforementioned Orlando City B match.

“I think we feel very confident going forward,” Hertzog said. “Last year, I don’t think we created those chances. This year, we’ve created more and we’re expecting goals. Now we need to get the forwards and the offense to finish them.”

Over the past month, Pittsburgh’s frontline has worked through reincorporating Parkes into the offense, Kerr dropping back to midfield and an injury to Banjo. These midseason adjustments could very well play into the Hounds’ scoring drought in recent weeks.

After reeling off a streak of seven straight games with a goal, Pittsburgh has posted just two goals in its past five matches.

Hertzog said the team is doing more live finishing as well as additional small-sided and 11-on-11 play in training sessions to help jump-start the offense.

“We work together,” Parkes said. “We have an understanding, No one’s going to stop us once we have an understanding. We’re getting there. Day in and day out, we’re getting there. It’s just going to take time.”