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 Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Hounds Set for Season's Defining Game

August 13, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release


PITTSBURGH (Aug. 13, 2015) - The Pittsburgh Riverhounds can take a huge step toward reaching the United Soccer League playoffs Saturday when the Charlotte Independence visits Highmark Stadium for the first time. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m.

The Hounds (9-8-4, 31 points) have benefitted from favorable results around the Eastern Conference in recent weeks. Charlotte's back-to-back ties with the New York Red Bulls II have left the first-year club (6-6-7, 25 points) needing to win its two games in hand to pull level with the sixth-placed Hounds in the standings.

A recent slump from the Richmond Kickers has given Pittsburgh an opportunity to jump into fourth spot and close in on a potential home playoff game if the Hounds can build on their two previous wins this month.

"This is the most defining game of our season," said Riverhounds president and general manager Richard Nightingale.

The club expects a season-high attendance and possibly even a record crowd for a Riverhounds game at Highmark Stadium. Over 4,000 tickets had been sold by noon on Thursday. Limited seating remains in the grandstand and Paul Child Stand.

Visit Riverhounds.com for ticket information or call the Highmark Stadium box office on (412) 325-7241 to speak to a representative.

"This is really a key game for us and all the guys know it," said Hounds head coach Mark Steffens. "We won't have to pump them up too much for this one.

"Charlotte is a very good team when they put it together, but like us they have lacked consistency. We'll need to put a really good performance together to beat them."

Charlotte was victorious in the first ever meeting between the sides on June 13 at Winthrop University's Eagle Field in South Carolina. Lebo Moloto gave the Hounds a first-half lead that was canceled out by Carlos Alvarez after seven minutes of the second half.

Hounds captain Danny Earls was dismissed for deliberate handball on the goal line midway through the second period. Colombian midfielder Jorge Herrera converted his penalty kick to give the Independence a 2-1 win.

Steffens has a near complete roster to choose from this weekend. Drew Russell will definitely miss out as he recovers from a knee injury. Vini Dantas is back in contention after recovering from his heel problem. Jamaican national team goalkeeper Ryan Thompson could also return between the posts.

F.C. Dallas youngster Jesse Gonzalez featured for the Hounds in last week's 3-1 win at Toronto F.C. II. The Mexican Under-20 goalkeeper was recalled to Texas this week. Calle Brown is expected to play if Thompson fails a late fitness test on his troublesome knee.

The Hounds were forced to cancel a loan agreement with Orlando City defender Conor Donovan this week after the United States Under-20 national team player tore his ACL after 10 minutes of his Major League Soccer debut last Saturday.

Riverhounds' partner Highmark is sponsoring 3,500 black and gold Hounds towels that will be given away free to fans Saturday night on a first come, first served basis. Gates open at 5 p.m.

Players from the Riverhounds Development Academy girls' teams will be recognized during the halftime interval. A third consecutive U.S. Club Soccer national title was won at the Under-15 age level last month when the Lady Hounds defeated Pennsylvania rival YMS Yardley in Westfield, Indiana.

The U-17 girls fell short in their national championship decider against California's West Coast Wild while the U-16s reached their semifinal.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. Charlotte Independence

Venue: Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pa.

Date and Time: Saturday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m. EDT

Referee: Jaroslaw Werel

Assistant Referees: Amanda Ross, Wayne Pavlischek

Fourth Official: Erik Blackburn


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