3 Things: #PITvTBR
August 17, 2021 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
The Hounds first two-game losing streak of the season and their first major bout with the injury bug have gone hand-in-hand over the past week, and now they have to face the team that just retook first place in the Atlantic Division from them - the Tampa Bay Rowdies.
The Rowdies had their own 5-0-0 start to the season disrupted by injuries, and the team went 4-6-0 over the next 10 games before regaining their footing. If the Hounds hope to avoid a prolonged skid of their own, taking care of business on home turf at 6 p.m. Wednesday would be a great bounce-back result.
Here are the 3 Things to watch for in Wednesday's game, which will be streamed on ESPN+.
1.) Back line reinforcements
No position group has suffered more injuries than the Hounds defenders, but there might be a light at the end of the tunnel.
Mekeil Williams returned to the field in the last match against Charlotte, which allowed Jalen Robinson a night off from the starting lineup for the first time in seven matches. Jelani Peters is back after being held out because of illness, and Tom Judge was back on the bench last Saturday after his head injury earlier in the month.
With Jordan Dover also back in training - though still not ready for game action - the Hounds might not be far away from being able to return to a regular rotation at the back, which will certainly help the weary legs of Robinson, Shane Wiedt and Preston Kilwien, who between them have had to carry a heavy workload the past three weeks.
2.) Speed kills
One of the biggest things Bob Lilley wanted to add to his team in the offseason was players who can turn defenders and make runs in behind, and he got them in the form of Alex Dixon and Russell Cicerone.
But last Saturday in Charlotte, whether it was a result of the weather conditions, hesitance with a short bench on the road, or simply heavy legs, the Hounds failed to put the Charlotte defense in many compromising positions and, as a result, were shut out after scoring in 12 consecutive matches.
Now, back on the Highmark Stadium turf, footing and familiarity shouldn't be an issue. The Hounds need to get back to making those wide, dangerous runs and opening up the seams between Tampa Bay's steady back three, just as they did on both goals in their 2-1 win at the Rowdies on June 19.
3.) Don't panic
The natural urge when on a losing streak is to come out guns blazing and full of energy. While that can certainly be good, the Hounds need to remember they have a 90-minute match to play against a very good team.
The Hounds need to pace themselves throughout the match and stick to their game plan, pressing when appropriate but also covering back. Wednesday's matchup could play out very much like a playoff match, considering the Rowdies and Hounds are both teams in position to make a deep postseason run, possibly meeting again in the playoffs.
Whether the Hounds find themselves down a goal or playing in front, there's no reason to get away from the things the team did when it went undefeated from July 3 to Aug. 6.
United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 17, 2021
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- Tacoma Looks to Continue Unbeaten Streak with Road Match at Orange County FC - Tacoma Defiance
- Match Preview: Oakland Roots vs New Mexico United - Oakland Roots
- 3 Things: #PITvTBR - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
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- Orange County SC's Roots Run Deep in Women's Professional Soccer - Orange County SC
- Junior Flemmings & Anderson Asiedu Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - Birmingham Legion FC
- Nick Hinds Makes USL Championship Team of the Week - Austin Bold FC
- Republic FC's Cameron Iwasa Earns Team of the Week Selection - Sacramento Republic FC
- Indy Eleven Midfielder Nicky Law Named to USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 17 - Indy Eleven
- Guillen Earns Team of the Week Spot - Tampa Bay Rowdies
- Hadji Barry Named to USL Championship Team of the Week - Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC
- Miami FC's Speedy Williams voted Player of the Week after key role in victory in Pittsburgh - USL
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- Hartford Athletic Signs Guatemalan International Darwin Lom - Hartford Athletic
- Orange County SC Acquires Ben Mines on Loan from FC Cincinnati - Orange County SC
- Rowdies Expect a Good Battle in Pittsburgh - Tampa Bay Rowdies
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