PITTSBURGH (October 5, 2017) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (8-11-11) kick off a two-game homestand welcoming back the Rochester Rhinos (11-7-11) to Highmark Stadium for the second time in less than a month for a 7 p.m. kick on Saturday, Oct. 7.
The penultimate tilt of the 2017 season for the Hounds, the club will look to finish the head-to-head series unbeaten against their Eastern Conference foe for the first time in the Highmark Stadium era – since 2013. These clubs have already met twice this year, playing to draws both times and combining for two goals total.
The Hounds were officially eliminated from playoff contention this past weekend after seeing their 2-0 loss against New York Red Bulls II on Saturday coupled with Orlando City B prevailing 1-0 over the Richmond Kickers on Sunday. Despite the disappointing end to postseason aspirations, the club has plenty to play for come Saturday.
In its inaugural season, the Old Guard Shield will be up for grabs at Highmark Stadium. Formed by the supporters groups of the five longest standing franchises in the Eastern Conference – Charleston, Harrisburg, Richmond and Rochester the other four – the Hounds can capture the Shield with a win against the Rhinos. Pittsburgh currently sits tied with Richmond in points (12) with a game in hand and one point ahead of Charleston, which plays Harrisburg on Saturday.
Additionally, Pittsburgh has the opportunity to play spoiler against one of its longest standing foes in USL play. Currently in the midst of their longest winless streak of the season at five, the Rhinos’ aspirations for a home playoff game would all but be crushed with a defeat, as well as potentially close the gap to be overtaken by ninth-place Bethlehem Steel FC.
Outside of the top-four clubs clinching playoff berths, spots five-through-nine are extremely clouded in the East with only four points of separation in all.
Off the pitch, the Hounds will host Kick for Cancer Night, presented by Allegheny Health Network. The final part of the club’s “Health Series,” the Hounds will be wearing special pink kits in honor of Breast Cancer Awareness Month to be auctioned off with proceeds going to Susan G. Komen® Pittsburgh, while the first 1,000 fans to enter the stadium will receive a special pink Kick for Cancer t-shirt.
Tickets to the match are still available and can be purchased by visiting www.riverhounds.com. For fans unable to make the match, be sure to follow along live with USL Match Center and on Twitter at @PghRiverhounds.
More info on the match can be found below.
WHO
Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. Rochester Rhinos
WHEN
7 p.m. on Saturday, October 7
WHERE
Highmark Stadium
WATCH
FOLLOW
Twitter: @PghRiverhounds – #PGHvROC | #UNLEASH
Rochester overall record: 11-7-11
Rochester road record: 4-5-6
STREAK: T1
Pittsburgh overall record: 8-11-11
Pittsburgh home record: 4-6-4
STREAK: L2
Tobi Adewole – Out (Hamstring)
Rich Balchan – Out for Season (Achilles)
Kay Banjo – Questionable (Ankle)
Keasel Broome – Out for Season (Wrist)
Shane Campbell – Out (Lower-body)
Kevin Kerr – Questionable (Ankle)
Trey Mitchell – Out for Season (Shoulder)
Sept. 16, 2017, at Highmark Stadium
Pittsburgh 1, Rochester 1
Scoring Summary
PGH – Kevin Kerr 71’ (Kay Banjo)
ROC – Joe Farrell 90’ (Christiano Francois)
July 22, 2017, at Capelli Sport Stadium
Pittsburgh 0, Rochester 0
Pittsburgh
Goals: Corey Hertzog (13)
Assists: Kevin Kerr (5)
Points: Corey Hertzog (28)
Saves: Trey Mitchell (46)
Save %: Trey Mitchell (.742)
GAA: Trey Mitchell (0.94)
Rochester
Goals: Wal Fall (8)
Assists: Kenardo Forbes and Christiano Francois (4)
Points: Wal Fall (18)
Saves: Tomas Gomez (39)
Save %: Tomas Gomez (.709)
GAA: Tomas Gomez (0.76)
Pittsburgh
New York 2, Pittsburgh 0
SCORING SUMMARY:
NY – Abuchi Obinwa 25’ (Own Goal)
NY – Florian Valot 90+4’ (Dilly Duka)
LINEUP:
Matt Perrella – Taylor Washington, Gale Agbossoumonde, Joe Greenspan, Tobi Adewole (Shannon Gomez 62’) – Abuchi Obinwa (Stephen Okai 46’) – Romeo Parkes, Victor Souto, Kevin Kerr, Kenroy Howell (Chevaughn Walsh 58’) – Corey Hertzo
Rochester
Rochester 0, Louisville City 0
LINEUP:
Tomas Gomez – Todd Pratzner, Joe Farrell, Bradley Kamdem Fewo, Ryan Felix, Ryan James – Christiano Francois (Stefan Defregger 86’), Wal Fall, Mike Garzi (Jordan Dover 71’), Kenardo Forbes – Jochen Graf (Darius Madison 86’)
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds will host Kick for Cancer – Breast Cancer Awareness – Night.
Presented by Allegheny Health Network (AHN), the night will kick off with honoring AHN breast cancer survivors prior to the game with their families participating in a special Tunnel of Hope. The players will wear special pink kits during the game to be autographed and auctioned off with proceeds going to Susan G. Komen® Pittsburgh.
The first 1,000 fans to enter the stadium will receive a special pink Kick for Cancer t-shirt. As part of the Kick for Cancer campaign, support cards/signs will be available on the concourse for fans to personalize and display when cued during the game. Fans will also have a chance to post pictures with their support cards to register for a special AHN social media sweepstakes.
Furthermore, fans have the opportunity to engage with breast cancer specialists onsite to learn about risk factors, symptoms, how it is found and how it is treated.
Lastly of note, the stadium’s $1 beer gameday special will run from gates open – 5:30 p.m. – until kickoff and the team store will be holding a 20 percent off sale on all clothing items.
