Hounds Get Second Chance to See off Charlotte
August 21, 2015 - United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
PITTSBURGH (Aug. 21, 2015) - The Pittsburgh Riverhounds missed out on a glorious chance to move clear of the Charlotte Independence in the United Soccer League playoff race last weekend.
Ryan Finley's late headed goal at Highmark Stadium snatched a 1-1 tie for the visitors who played the entire second half with 10 men after Dominique Badji's dismissal.
The Hounds get a second opportunity to shake off the chasing Independence this Saturday night when the teams meet again at Charlotte's Ramblewood Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7:10 p.m. and Hounds fans can watch the game live on Riverhounds.com.
"It's always good at this point in the season to be playing in meaningful games," said Riverhounds assistant coach Josh Rife.
"The next game is always the most important one and this Saturday's game is huge for us."
Pittsburgh (9-8-5, 32 points) remains in the sixth and final playoff spot before the weekend's action with a game in hand over the Richmond Kickers and New York Red Bulls II that could elevate them to fourth place and a potential home playoff game.
Charlotte (6-6-8, 26 points) has played two fewer games than the Hounds. The Independence remains in contention for a postseason berth along with the Harrisburg City Islanders. Pittsburgh has yet to experience victory over the first-year Independence having dropped the team's inaugural meeting by 2-1 on June 13.
Eastern Conference standings as at Aug. 21, 2015 (from USLsoccer.com).
Hounds head coach Mark Steffens will be without Kevin Kerr for the first time this year. The USL's assists leader picked up his fifth yellow card of the season last Saturday and serves an automatic one-game suspension.
Kerr's productivity has been a major factor for the Hounds' league-leading offense this year. The Scottish midfielder has contributed eight of the team's 46 league goals while assisting on a further nine. Steffens has options to fill the void on the right side of his midfield with Matt Dallman, Mike Green, Max Touloute and Boris Zivanovic all capable of playing in that role.
Former Charlotte Eagles defender Drew Russell resumed first-team training this week to give Steffens a complete roster to choose his traveling party from with the exception of Kerr.
A trip to Louisville City on Aug. 29 rounds out this month's slate for the Hounds. The next home game is against the Charleston Battery on Sept. 5 at 7 p.m.
Visit Riverhounds.com for ticket information or call the Highmark Stadium box office on (412) 325-7241 to speak to a representative.
Charlotte Independence vs. Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Venue: Ramblewood Stadium, Charlotte, N.C.
Date and Time: Saturday, Aug. 22 at 7:10 p.m. EDT
Referee: Jeremy Smith
Assistant Referees: Clive Edwards, Robert Dail
Fourth Official: Doug Hartemann
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