USL Penn FC

Game Day Preview #PENvPGH

September 25, 2018 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Penn FC News Release


HARRISBURG, Pa. - Bragging rights and the 2018 Keystone Derby Cup present by K&L Gates is on the line as Penn FC (9-13-8, 35 pts) is set to host intrastate rival Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (14-4-11, 53 pts) in the regular season rubber match Wednesday night.

Head Coach Raoul Voss and his team will look to earn their first piece of silverware during the inaugural season. Penn FC must win the match against Pittsburgh otherwise Riverhounds SC will retain the cup with a win or a draw because away goals scored and position in the USL standings will act as tiebreakers.

Despite the disparity in the standings, Penn FC and Pittsburgh were evenly matched in their previous meetings earlier this season. Both matches at Highmark Stadium in Pittsburgh in April and May finished as 0-0 draws thanks to the heroics of goalkeeper Romu Peiser and strong defensive efforts from the Penn FC back line.

Penn FC's defense will be active again as it works to negate the efforts of Pittsburgh's star attacker Neco Brett. The midfielder leads the team with 15 goals while also facilitating five other goals this season. Shutting down Brett will force Pittsburgh to rely on a trio of attackers with no more than four goals each on the season.

The Blue and White has found an offensive identity since its two early-season meetings against Riverhounds SC and will need some creativity to get the ball past Pittsburgh goalkeeper Daniel Lynd. In-form winger Paulo Junior alongside forwards Lucky Mkosana and Aaron Dennis will need to combine in the final third to prevent Lynd from earning his 12th clean sheet of the season.

It will require precision at all levels of the pitch to beat the third place team in the USL and hoist the Keystone Derby Cup. The attack will look to press the Pittsburgh defense while defender Harri Hawkins and Penn FC's backline will provide support and act as the team's anchor.

"It will take a team effort for sure," Hawkins said. "It starts in the front. The attackers work extremely hard to press the other team and try and win the ball back as high up the pitch as possible; same with the midfielders. Really for the defenders, its staying solid, staying focused for the whole game and trying not to give up any silly mistakes that will cost us goals."

Penn FC and Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC face off this Wednesday night at 6:30 p.m. Gates at FNB Field will open at 5 p.m. and fans are encouraged to arrive early to snag free slingslacks courtesy of Highmark. Following the conclusion of the match, the winners of the 2018 Keystone Derby Cup presented by K&L Gates will be presented with the trophy.

Tickets for the match are available at pennfc.com/tickets. Fans unable to make it to FNB Field can watch the match on the ESPN+ streaming platform.



United Soccer League Championship Stories from September 25, 2018


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