Match Preview: Rowdies at Pittsburgh
Published on August 3, 2023 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Tampa Bay Rowdies News Release
Matchday 22 Info:
Tampa Bay Rowdies at Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC
Saturday, August 5, 7 p.m. ET
Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA
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Watch: Stream the match on ESPN+
The Tampa Bay Rowdies hit the road this Saturday for a showdown with the USL Championship's Eastern Conference leader, Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. With only three points separating the Rowdies from Pittsburgh in the standings race, Saturday's match at Highmark Stadium could have a crucial impact on seeding when the playoffs role around.
"At any point of the year going to Pittsburgh is tough," said Rowdies Head Coach Nicky Law. "...Saturday's match is as tough as it gets really, but it's one that we're all really looking forward to as a team and as a staff. It's a really good challenge with two teams close together in the table. We know what a win could do for us and I'm sure they know what a win could do for them as well so there's a lot to look forward to."
Saturday is the first of two regular-season clashes between the Rowdies and Pittsburgh. The Rowdies also have to games in hand on Pittsburgh and one in hand on second place Charleston, an advantage they'll hope to exploit in the final push for playoffs.
"Every game we play is going to be tough," said Rowdies defender Conner Antley. "Saturday is definitely a game we look at and think Pittsburgh are sitting in a spot we want to be in right now, which is top of the table, so 3 points would be a big deal."
Highmark Advantage
Pittsburgh's Highmark Stadium has proven to be one of the toughest places for a visiting team to pick up points. Tampa Bay managed to pull off a throughout 5-2 win in Pittsburgh last year, which was their first victory in ten trips to Highmark. Prior to last year, the Rowdies hand come away with three losses and six draws in Pittsburgh. This year, Pittsburgh has only been on the losing end of a result at home once.
"Pittsburgh is a team that we really respect," said Antley. "They have a really good coach and they have really good players that play a tough, hard-nose style of football. Last year's game was great for us. There's not many times team's can say they go up to Pittsburgh and get a result like that, but we know not every two games are the same. We're going to go up there with the same mentality as last year of trying to get a result and doing the best we can. All we can really do is focus on us and what we can control."
No Lasso In the Back
The Rowdies will be without a key contributor on Saturday in Pittsburgh. Fresh off his first goal of the year and a USL Championship Team of the Week selection, center back Forrest Lasso will serve a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation after picking up his eighth yellow card of the season against F Tulsa. The three-time USL Championship Defender of the Year's 98 clearances ranks third best in the league.
Law Settling In
The Rowdies will be without a key contributor on Saturday in Pittsburgh. Fresh off his first goal of the year and a USL Championship Team of the Week selection, center back Forrest Lasso will serve a one-match suspension for yellow card accumulation after picking up his eighth yellow card of the season against F Tulsa. The three-time USL Championship Defender of the Year's 98 clearances ranks third best in the league.
Availability Report
SUSPENDED: Forrest Lasso (Yellow Card accumulation)
OUT DUE TO INJURY: Lewis Hilton, Zach Herivaux, Sebastian Dalgaard
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