Playoff Race Heats Up As Hounds Host Louisville City
Preview provided by Pittsburgh Riverhounds.
PITTSBURGH (July 16, 2015) - The Pittsburgh Riverhounds' charge toward the USL playoffs continues Saturday night when expansion side Louisville City F.C. visits Highmark Stadium for the second time this year. Kickoff is at 7 p.m.
Third-placed Louisville sits two places above the Hounds in the Eastern Conference as the final third of the regular season approaches. The teams previously played to a 1-1 tie on April 19. Kadeem Dacres snatched a point for the Kentuckians with a goal deep into injury time after Fejiro Okiomah had given the Hounds a first-half lead.
"Louisville is a team that has improved every week and its results reflect that," said Riverhounds assistant coach Josh Rife. "It's going to be a very tough game."
Pittsburgh (7-6-4, 25 points) missed the chance to move within a point of Louisville and the coveted top four positions last Sunday with a 4-2 loss at F.C. Montreal. Six Eastern Conference teams qualify for the postseason with the top four guaranteed at least one home game.
Sunday's loss in Quebec ended a run of four games in which the Hounds' back line had held firm in open play. A Rochester Rhinos penalty kick was the only blemish on an otherwise perfect defensive record.
The Hounds' offense continued its impressive output in Canada with Rob Vincent and Kevin Kerr becoming the first teammates to reach a combined 20 goals in league play this year. Vincent's 12 goals and four assists place him top of the Eastern Conference and second overall in the USL in goals, goals-per-game, points and points-per-game.
Louisville returns to the South Side in impressive attacking form too having bagged 10 goals against Oklahoma City Energy, the Richmond Kickers and Charlotte Independence during its current 3-game win streak. Former Riverhounds forward Matt Fondy leads his team's offense with 10 goals and three assists. Only Rob Vincent has been more productive in the Eastern Conference.
Klingenberg Appearance
FIFA Women's World Cup winner Meghan Klingenberg will be the Hounds' special guest for Saturday's game. The Gibsonia native share her World Cup experiences with Club Level guests as part of our pre-game buildup beginning at 5:30 p.m. Club Level guests will also be given a private photo and autograph session with Klingenberg. Proceeds will benefit the MK Foundation.
All fans in attendance will receive a free Klingenberg player card sponsored by our partners at Allegheny Health Network.
Club Level and general game tickets are almost sold out for the game. Please visit Riverhounds.com or call the Highmark Stadium box office on (412) 325-7241 to speak with a representative about remaining availability.
Our sports bar will also be showing the Concacaf Gold Cup quarterfinal tie between the United States and Cuba at 5 p.m., followed by Ryan Thompson and Jamaica's meeting with Haiti.
Fans unable to attend Highmark Stadium on Saturday will be able to watch a live stream at Riverhounds.com.
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