WHO: Pittsburgh Riverhounds, 13W-8D-4L, 47 points, 5th place Eastern Conference
WHAT: A regular season USL Championship match
WHEN: Saturday, September 7, 2019, 7:00 p.m.
WHERE: Highmark Stadium, 510 West Station Square Dr., Pittsburgh, PA 15219
WATCH: The club is hosting a watch party at Hometown Pizza on Preston Highway, so you should definitely check that out. Otherwise, you can find it on WBKI, ESPN+, and 1080 WKJK on the radio.
WHO, AGAIN? Pittsburgh is good. Bob Lilley is good. Kenardo Forbes is good. They’ve only lost four times all year. They haven’t lost at home at all. They’ve lost just twice since July, one of those being an away loss to RB2.
They’ve got the best conversion rate in the league, 21.1%, which has led to 48 goals. They score almost two goals per match. They’ve got ten clean sheets and have only given up 28 goals.
This is a Lilley team with a few wrinkles. They play hard defense and are very direct offensively. Literally more than 40% of their passes are forward. They’ve got a couple of good guys to get the ball to in Duba Dos Santos and Neco Brett.
It’s gonna be a tough game. It’s also a game LouCity kind has to win if they want to climb the table and retain any hope to get a home playoff game. It’s crucial, really.
City will be without Paco Craig, and probably without Paolo DelPiccolo and Brian Ownby. They’re going to have to be extra vigilant about counterattacks in this game without getting too bunched in to take advantage of their own offensive opportunities. They’re going to have to really focus on cashing in on their chances.
I think it’s doable, but it’ll take a big effort. Let’s go get it. VAMOS MORADOS.