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USL Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Game Day: Hounds vs. New Mexico United

September 22, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release


PITTSBURGH - The Hounds are back at home and have a first-time visitor to Highmark Stadium with New Mexico United providing the opposition for Saturday's 7 p.m. kickoff.

The playoff ramifications are massive on both sides, especially in light of some eye-opening midweek results. The Hounds now control their path to the best overall record in the USL Championship, and with it home field throughout the playoffs, but the margin for error remains slim, and a home game is not where the Hounds want to drop any points. Additionally, the Hounds can ensure a top-four finish and a home playoff game to start the playoffs with a win or a draw against New Mexico, but that issue could already be settled before full time if Louisville drops points in their earlier match at Loudoun.

On the other side, New Mexico is responsible for putting the Hounds in the overall driver's seat after a 0-0 draw Wednesday at West-leading Sacramento, but that also leaves the visitors three points adrift of the final playoff places on their side of the standings with only four matches remaining to make up the gap.

It is New Mexico's first-ever trip to Highmark Stadium, and the Hounds will hope the outcome is similar to their other five home matches against Western Conference teams. The Hounds are 4-0-1 at home against West this season, and this is their last regular-season game against the opposite conference.

The Hounds still have Albert Dikwa pacing the Championship's Golden Boot race with 17 goals, and the team was able to get the job done last Saturday in Miami with Dikwa off the field, as Danny Griffin set up Robbie Mertz for the 90th-minute winning goal in a 2-1 victory. With no more midweek matches and a relatively clean bill of health, Bob Lilley has settled into a more consistent lineup the past few games, though minor tweaks would come as no surprise based on the matchup any give week.

New Mexico, meanwhile, will have to contend with playing only three days prior and making the trip across the country before first setting foot in Highmark for their Friday training session. Their attack been led this season by Salvadorian forward Amando Moreno (nine goals, two assists), but they will also have some dangerous pieces with fresher legs. Longtime Charleston midfielder Justin Portillo is eligible after serving a one-game suspension Wednesday, and pesky veteran winger Santi Moar was an unused substitute, meaning the former Bethlehem Steel player might be in line for action at Highmark once again.

Saturday's match will be the Hounds' annual Hispanic Heritage Night celebration, with music and food trucks tailored to the event celebrating our fans and players hailing from Latino and Hispanic backgrounds. Renowned local band Gavas Beat will be performing in the Tailgate Zone, and fans who don't get to catch them before the match will be able to enjoy a postgame performance in the stadium.

In the Tailgate Zone beginning at 5 p.m., 24-ounce Tecate cans will be on sale for just $5, and the food trucks from La Palapa and Colombino Coffee & Cacao will be on site for fans to enjoy. The $5 Tecate special will also be available in-stadium from 6-7 p.m., and our special Al Pastor Nachos will be available all night from the Nacho Junction stand outside the pub.

Parking in the West Lot for Saturday's match is already sold out, so fans without parking passes are encouraged to utilize other lots around Station Square. Another sellout crowd is expected by kickoff, but tickets are still available through Ticketmaster or by walking up to the Highmark Stadium Box Office.

Fans catching the action from home will be able to do so live over the air on KDKA+ (Channel 19), and the match will be streamed via ESPN+.

Match info

Riverhounds (16-5-9) vs. New Mexico United (10-13-7)

Date: Saturday, Sept. 23

Time: 7 p.m.

Location: Highmark Stadium

Tickets: Ticketmaster

Odds: Hounds -185 / Draw +290 / New Mexico +430 (FanDuel)

TV: KDKA+

Streaming: ESPN+ (national), KDKA+ (local)

Live statistics: USL Championship Match Center

Live updates: @RiverhoundsSC on Twitter

Match hashtags: #PITvNM and #HOUNDTAHN

Check out the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Statistics

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The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

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