Match Previews

Game Preview: #PGHvORL

PITTSBURGH (June 1, 2017) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (4-4-3) are back in action after a nine-day break, taking on Orlando City B (3-4-3) at 7 p.m. on Saturday, June 3 at Highmark Stadium.

The Hounds are coming off a 0-0 draw on the road against Harrisburg and are currently enduring a three-match winless streak, including U.S. Open Cup play. With five goals in its last five league games, Pittsburgh will look to its offense to support a strong defensive side that includes an Eastern Conference-leading four clean sheets by goalkeeper Trey Mitchell.

For Orlando, the B-side of its MLS counterparts checks in at 10th in the Eastern Conference table, recently seeing its four-game unbeaten streak come to a close against the Charlotte Independence this past weekend.

The Hounds split the season series with Orlando in 2016 (1-1-0), with both clubs picking up wins on the road.

Heading into Saturday’s tilt, both teams are expected to be without key contributors. The Hounds saw the return of Joe Greenspan to Minnesota United FC following the Harrisburg match and are also set to be without the services of midfielders Abuchi Obinwa and Victor Souto due to injury. Orlando, on the other hand, will be without one of its two leading goal scorers in Richie Laryea after the midfielder earned a one-game suspension with his fifth yellow card of the season.

Tickets are still available for this weekend’s tilt and can be purchased at 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 the match can be found below.

WHO

Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. Orlando City B

WHEN

7 p.m. on Saturday, June 3

WHERE

Highmark Stadium

WATCH

USL Match Center

FOLLOW

Twitter: @PghRiverhounds – #PGHvORL | #UNLEASH

The Howler’s Match Preview

Orlando City B overall record: 3-4-3

Orlando City B away record: 2-2-1

STREAK: L1

Pittsburgh overall record: 4-4-3

Pittsburgh home record: 2-3-1

STREAK: T1

September 3, 2016 at Titan Soccer Complex

Pittsburgh 2, Orlando City B 0

Scoring Summary

PGH – Chevaughn Walsh 23’ (Kevin Kerr)
PGH – Corey Hertzog 90’ (Kevin Kerr)

April 22, 2016 at Highmark Stadium

Orlando City B 2, Pittsburgh 1

Scoring Summary

ORL – Tyler Turner 39’ (Johnny Mendoza)
ORL – Tyler Turner 67’ (Hadji Barry)
PGH – Romeo Parkes 90’

Pittsburgh

Goals: Corey Hertzog (5)

Assists: Kevin Kerr and Marshall Hollingsworth (2)

Points: Corey Hertzog (10)

Saves: Trey Mitchell (25)

Save %: Trey Mitchell (.806)

GAA: Trey Mitchell (0.67)

Orlando City B

Goals: Albert Dikwa and Richie Laryea (3)

Assists: Pierre Da Silva (5)

Points: Albert Dikwa and Pierre Da Silva (7)

Saves: Earl Edwards Jr. (29)

Save %: Earl Edwards Jr. (.690)

GAA: Earl Edwards Jr. (1.30)

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh 0, Harrisburg 0

LINEUP:

Trey Mitchell – Taylor Washington, Joe Greenspan, Jamal Jack, Ben Fitzpatrick – Stephen Okai, Kevin Kerr, Jack Thompson (Abuchi Obinwa 45’), Marshall Hollingsworth (Connor Maloney 70’) – Romeo Parkes (Chevaughn Walsh 85’), Corey Hertzog

Orlando City B

Charlotte 3, Orlando City B 1

SCORING SUMMARY:

ORL – Albert Dikwa 20’ (Pierre Da Silva)
CLT – David Estrada 40’ (Alex Martinez)

CLT – Enzo Martinez 45’ (Jorge Herrera)
CLT – Jorge Herrera 51’ (Joel Johnson)

LINEUP:

Earl Edwards Jr. – Rafael Ramos, Kevin Alston (Zach Ellis-Hayden 45’), Zach Carroll, Conor Donovan – Lewis Neal, Danny Deakin (David Loera 81’), Pierre Da Silva, Tony Rocha – Albert Dikwa, Richie Laryea (Michael Cox 57’)

Single-Game Tickets

The $1 beer special is back this weekend, running from gates open at 5:30 p.m. up until kickoff. In addition, the Kids Zone will be up and operating in the East End of the stadium, including a new attraction in the Cleveland Brothers “Sand Box.” This fun attraction is complete with operational toy caterpillar machines that young fans can use in an actual sand box at Highmark Stadium.

Open Cup Preview: at Chicago FC United

PITTSBURGH (May 16, 2017) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds open up Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup play on the road facing Chicago FC United at 8 p.m. tomorrow night at Martin Stadium in Evanston, Illinois.

Entering its 104th year of existence, the Open Cup is the longest running competition in American soccer. The Hounds begin play in the second round, as is the standard for all USL teams, while FC United advanced to the second stage thanks to a 1-0 victory over Grand Rapids FC last week.

A live stream of the match is expected to be available through U.S. Soccer. Check back at ussoccer.com for further information. Fans are also welcome to follow the action live on Twitter at @PghRiverhounds.

A member of the USL’s Premier Developmental League (PDL), Chicago has an extensive amount of experience in Open Cup play previously operating as the Under-23 squad for MLS-side Chicago Fire. This season marks the club’s first as FC United in the Open Cup.

In total, the club has competed in 12 Open Cup matches over the past 13 years, registering eight wins in that time. Chicago’s latest victory against Grand Rapids was its first since 2012 in the annual competition.

FC United has yet to begin PDL play in 2017, as the season kicks off at the end of this month. Last year saw Chicago place third in the Heartland Division with an 8-4-2 record.

– The Riverhounds head into tomorrow night’s match hoping for a better result this time around, as they were bounced in the second round last season against amateur-side Lansdowne Bhoys FC, 2-0, at Highmark Stadium. Historically, the Hounds are at an even 50 percent when it comes to recording at least one win in Open Cup play. Since debuting in the Open Cup in 2000, Pittsburgh has won at least one game in seven of their 14 appearances, including five of their last seven, and hold a 10-13 record all-time.

– Adding to the previous note, last season may very well prove to be anomaly, as both 2014 and 2015 saw the Hounds advance to the fourth round of play to face MLS competition. The most recent appearance in 2015 saw Pittsburgh fall 3-1 in a highly contest matchup at Highmark Stadium against D.C. United that the visitors needed two goals in extra time to secure the victory.

– Wednesday’s match will mark the sixth time the Riverhounds have played an opponent hailing from the Chicago area in Open Cup play. Along with FC United, the Hounds have faced both the Fire and Croatian American soccer club RWB Adria twice, as well as amateur club A.A.C. Eagles once. Pittsburgh’s only defeats have come against the Fire – 3-2 in the 2001 Quarterfinals and 2-1 in the Fourth Round of 2014.

– Set to play in Evanston, Illinois, on the campus of Northwestern University, this is the first time the Hounds have began Open Cup play on the road since 2009 and the third time the club has played in the Prairie State.

– Only four members on the Hounds current roster were on the team for last year’s Open Cup competition – Stephen Okai, Mike Green, Kevin Kerr, Corey Hertzog. Additionally, look for the Hounds to be without the services of loanees Marshall Hollingsworth and Abuchi Obinwa of Columbus Crew SC and Joe Greenspan of Minnesota United FC, as those players must be made available for their respective MLS teams.

The Riverhounds return to USL action this Saturday, May 20 to host Louisville City FC, who coincidentally will face Tartan Devils FC in their first match of the Open Cup tomorrow night at Highmark Stadium. Kickoff for Saturday’s tilt is set for 7 p.m. Tickets are still available and can be purchased by visiting www.riverhounds.com.

Game Preview: #PGHvHAR

PITTSBURGH (April 28, 2017) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (1-3-2) look to get back in the win column, facing the Harrisburg City Islanders (2-1-1) at 7 p.m. on Saturday, April 29 at Highmark Stadium in the first match of the 2017 Keystone Derby Cup, presented by K&L Gates and the Pennsylvania Lottery.

Entering its third year, the Keystone Derby Cup was captured by the Hounds in its inaugural season in 2015 before the City Islanders claimed it this past season.

The first year, most notably remembered for the incredible 6-5 “Miracle on the Mon” victory by Pittsburgh, saw the Hounds go 3-1-0 against their in-state rival, outscoring Harrisburg 16-to-12 in the process.

Last season provided a less offensive-filled affair with the Hounds finishing 0-1-2 against the City Islanders and a 2-1 defeat at home on July 17 proving to be the deciding factor. The two clubs combined for only five goals in those three matches – 3-to-2 in favor of the City Islanders.

Saturday’s tilt will be the first of three between the two clubs in 2017 and the only one at Highmark Stadium during the regular season. The Hounds will head to Harrisburg to play the City Islanders at FNB Field on Wednesday, May 24 and Saturday, August 12.

Off the pitch, this weekend will be a special one for the Hounds, as the club will celebrate five seasons at Highmark Stadium. Fans are encouraged to enjoy the festivities, including pregame $1 beer specials, a beer garden and barbecue, as well as the first 2,000 fans receiving a commemorative “Five Seasons the Mon” water bottle provided by Amcom Office Systems.

In addition, the club is offering a $5 ticket special in the supporter’s section. Tickets are still available today 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 the match can be found below.

WHO

Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. Harrisburg City Islanders

WHEN

7 p.m. on Saturday, April 29

WHERE

Highmark Stadium

WATCH

USL Match Center

FOLLOW

Twitter: @PghRiverhounds – #PGHvHAR | #UNLEASH

The Howler’s Match Preview

Harrisburg overall record: 2-1-1

Harrisburg away record: 1-1-0

STREAK: T1

Pittsburgh overall record: 1-3-2

Pittsburgh home record: 0-2-1

STREAK: L1

August 27, 2016 at FNB Field

Pittsburgh 1, Harrisburg 1

Scoring Summary

HAR – Craig Foster 65’ (Cardel Benbow)

PGH – Sergio Campbell 70’ (Danny Earls)

July 17, 2016 at Highmark Stadium

Harrisburg 2, Pittsburgh 1

Scoring Summary

HAR – Dante Leverock 29’ (Jose Barril)

HAR – Jose Barril 33’

PGH – Kevin Kerr 60’

Pittsburgh

Goals: Corey Hertzog (3)

Assists: Taylor Washington, Joe Greenspan, Kevin Kerr, Kay Banjo and Marshall Hollingsworth (1)

Points: Corey Hertzog (6)

Saves: Trey Mitchell (10)

Save %: Trey Mitchell (.667%)

GAA: Trey Mitchell (1.25)

Harrisburg

Goals: Tiago Calvano, Manolo Sanchez, Paul Wilson, Aaron Wheeler and Cardel Benbow (1)

Assists: Lee Nishanian, James Thomas and Pedro Ribeiro (1)

Points: Tiago Calvano, Manolo Sanchez, Paul Wilson, Aaron Wheeler and Cardel Benbow (2)

Saves: Brandon Miller (7)

Save %: Brandon Miller (.636%)

GAA: Brandon Miller (1.00)

Pittsburgh

Richmond 2, Pittsburgh 1

SCORING SUMMARY:

RIC – Fred Owusu Sekyere 15’ (Raul Gonzalez)
RIC – Alhaji Kamara 46’
PGH – Marshall Hollingsworth 59’

LINEUP:

Trey Mitchell – Taylor Washington (Kay Banjo 45’), Joe Greenspan, Jamal Jack (Ritchie Duffie 23’), Rich Balchan – Jack Thompson, Victor Souto, Abuchi Obinwa (Kenroy Howell 76’), Marshall Hollingsworth – Kevin Kerr, Corey Hertzog

Harrisburg

Orlando City B 1, Harrisburg 1

SCORING SUMMARY:

HAR – Tiago Calvano 80’ (penalty)

ORL – Zach Carroll 90’+ (Pierre Da Silva)

LINEUP:

Brandon Miller – Tiago Calvano, Abbas Mohammed, Lee Nishanian, James Thomas – John Grosh, Danny DiPrima (Paul Wilson 60’), Jonathan Mendoza, Rasheed Olabiyi, Cardel Benbow (Shawn McLaws 84’) – Aaron Wheeler (Pedro Ribeiro 76’)

Single-Game Tickets

First 2,000 fans receive commemorative “Five Seasons the Mon” scarf provided by Amcom Office Systems. In addition, there will be $1 beers from gates open at 5:30 p.m. to kickoff. Inside the stadium, the beer garden will be serving up brews and BBQ, including a live DJ and various prize giveaways.

Festivities will extend to fans of all ages, as younger fans are encouraged to enjoy provided face painting, caricatures and photo booth fun.

Keeping with the festive spirit, the Hounds are offering a special $5 “Five Seasons” celebration ticket for any fans interested in attending the fun-filled evening. These $5 tickets will place fans right in the action alongside the Steel Army in the Paul Child Stand supporter’s section.

Game Preview: #PGHvSTL

PITTSBURGH (April 10, 2017) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (1-1-1) face a quick turnaround, looking to build off their first win of the season, as they take on Saint Louis FC (2-0-1) at 7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12 at Highmark Stadium.

The Hounds are amidst a brutal three-game stretch in seven days. Already completing the trip to Charleston, South Carolina with a 2-1 victory, Pittsburgh will face Saint Louis midweek before traveling to Charlotte, North Carolina to play the Independence on Saturday, April 15.

Pittsburgh and Saint Louis have not met since the 2015 season (0-0-2 all-time), last playing to a 1-1 draw in the latter’s inaugural season home opener on April 11. The Hounds will also see the return of José Angulo, who won the USL Pro MVP and Golden Boot with Pittsburgh in 2013 and is tied for fourth all-time in club history in goals scored (23).

Additionally, the midweek match falls one day before the official five-year anniversary of Highmark Stadium opening on April 13, 2013. Angulo played a major role in that match as well, scoring the first-ever goal at the stadium in an eventual 2-1 loss to Harrisburg.

Fans can catch all the action via USL Match Center or watch the stream live on YouTube.

For tickets, visit www.riverhounds.com. Further details on the game can be found below.

WHO

Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. Saint Louis FC

WHEN

7 p.m. on Wednesday, April 12 – Gates open at 6 p.m.

WHERE

Highmark Stadium

WATCH

USL Match Center

FOLLOW

Twitter: @PghRiverhounds – #PGHvSTL | #UNLEASH

The Howler’s Match Preview

Saint Louis FC overall record: 2-0-1

Saint Louis FC road record: 0-0-1

STREAK: W2

Pittsburgh’s overall record: 1-1-1

Pittsburgh’s home record: 0-1-1

STREAK: W1

June 6, 2015 at Highmark Stadium

Pittsburgh 1, Saint Louis FC 1

Scoring Summary

PGH – Rob Vincent 72’ (penalty)
STL – Jeremie Lynch 80’

April 11, 2015 at St. Louis Soccer Park

Pittsburgh 1, Saint Louis FC 1

Scoring Summary

STL – Brandon Barklage 44’
PGH – Vini Dantas 73’

Pittsburgh

Goals: Corey Hertzog (3)

Assists: Taylor Washington, Kevin Kerr, Kay Banjo and Marshall Hollingsworth (1)

Points: Corey Hertzog (6)

Saves: Trey Mitchell (6)

Save %: Trey Mitchell (.750%)

GAA: Trey Mitchell (1.00)

Saint Louis FC

Goals: Christian Volesky (2)

Assists: Christian Volesky, José Angulo and Milan Petosevic (1)

Points: Christian Volesky (5)

Saves: Devala Gorrick (14)

Save %: Devala Gorrick (.778%)

GAA: Devala Gorrick (1.33)

Pittsburgh

Pittsburgh 2, Charleston 1

SCORING SUMMARY:

CHS – Ataullah Guerra 8’ (Dante Marini)
PGH – Marshall Hollingsworth 59’ (Kay Banjo)
PGH – Corey Hertzog 90’+ (Kevin Kerr)

LINEUP:

Trey Mitchell – Taylor Washington (Kay Banjo 57’), Lalas Abubakar, Jamal Jack, Rich Balchan – Marshall Hollingsworth (Kenroy Howell 82’), Victor Souto, Ben Swanson (Abuchi Obinwa 13’), Jack Thompson – Kevin Kerr, Corey Hertzog

Saint Louis FC

Saint Louis FC 3, New York Red Bulls II 2

SCORING SUMMARY:

STL – Christian Volesky 3’
NY – Brandon Allen 52’ (Florian Valot)
NY – Vincent Bezecourt 58’ (Brandon Allen)
STL – José Angulo 74’ (penalty)
STL – Seth Rudolph 84’ (José Angulo)

LINEUP:

Devala Gorrick – Wes Charpie, Ryan Howe, Austin Ledbetter, A.J. Cochran – Tyler David, Octavio Guzman (Seth Rudolph 79’), Dragan Stojkov, Mats Bjurman – Sebastian Dalgaard (José Angulo 45’), Christian Volesky (Max Alvarez 75’)

Single-Game Tickets

GAME PREVIEW: RIVERHOUNDS VS FC CINCINNATI

PITTSBURGH (September 23, 2016) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (6-16-7) close out the 2016 season against FC Cincinnati (15-6-8) at Highmark Stadium.

Click HERE to read our full game preview.

Fans can watch a live stream of Saturday’s game via the United Soccer League’s Match Center. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.

GAME PREVIEW: RIVERHOUNDS AT BETHLEHEM STEEL FC

PITTSBURGH (September 16, 2016) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (6-16-6) wrap up the road portion of their schedule with a visit to Bethlehem to face Steel FC (6-13-9) for the third time this season.