Game Day: Hounds vs. Rio Grande Valley FC Toros
April 14, 2023 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
PITTSBURGH - After four of their first five matches on the road, the Hounds return to the friendly confines of Highmark Stadium to host the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros at 7 p.m. this Saturday. The match will be seen live on Pittsburgh's CW and streamed on the CW website (for local audiences) and ESPN+.
The Hounds are coming off their first setback of the season, a 1-0 loss last Saturday at the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. The Hounds played most of the second half with 10 men before succumbing to an 80th-minute goal by Romario Williams, and the lingering effect of that loss comes in the form of the two red cards issued, which leaves the Hounds without the services of Robbie Mertz or Arturo Ordóñez against RGV while they serve one-match suspensions.
Even without those two players, the Hounds have plenty of depth but need to rediscover their goal-scoring touch. Albert Dikwa's hat trick against Memphis stands as the only three goals thus far by a striker, so Dikwa, Edward Kizza, Tony Lopez and others will be out get the goals flowing again on home turf.
Defensively, both the Hounds and RGV have been stout in the early season, as they are two of just five USL Championship giving up less than one goal per game. The goalkeepers - Jahmali Waite for the Hounds and Tyler Deric for RGV - hold matching goals-against averages of 0.75, although Deric has been under fire more often, facing 17 shots compared to only nine for Waite.
RGV does come into the match with extra rest, having not played a league match last weekend. The Toros' last outing was also their first setback of the season, as they were eliminated in the second round of the U.S. Open Cup, 2-0, in a road match South Georgia Tormenta of USL League One on April 6.
The weather for the match is expected to be a calm night with temperatures in the low 70s, and tickets are still on sale through Ticketmaster and for walk-ups at the Highmark Stadium Box Office.
Building on the excitement around the city from "412 Day" on Wednesday and Thursday's 10th anniversary of the first match at Highmark Stadium, Saturday's match will be the Hounds' Yinzer Night, a celebration of all things Pittsburgh. The match ball will be delivered by Pittsburgh's own Holly Hatcher-Frazier of "Dance Moms" fame, and Yinzer Night specials include $5 IC Lights until kickoff.
Also making its Highmark Stadium debut is the Iron City/Turner's collaboration drink IC'd Tea, which will be on sale along with the Quantum Spirits Olimpico, their canned rum, cola and lime collaboration with the Hounds. The Tailgate Zone will be jumping starting at 5 p.m. with all the refreshment options, and The Sandwich Guy food truck will again be serving for those who can't wait to get into the stadium when gates open at 6 p.m.
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