USL Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Preview: Riverhounds SC vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

Published on August 18, 2021 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release


PITTSBURGH - Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC looks to avoid dropping its third straight match when it hosts the Tampa Bay Rowdies at 6 p.m. Wednesday at Highmark Stadium. The match between the two teams tied atop the Atlantic Division on 33 points will be shown on ESPN+.

For the first time this season, the Hounds (10-6-3) play host to Tampa Bay (11-6-0) after meeting twice in St. Petersburg, Fla.

Round 1 between the two clubs this season went to Tampa Bay, as Jordan Adebayo-Smith, Sebastián Guenzatti and former Riverhound Steevan Dos Santos each notched a goal in the 3-0 victory. The next time the two teams met, the Hounds earned their first-ever win at Al Lang Stadium, 2-1, behind goals from Danny Griffin and Russell Cicerone.

In their last match, a 1-0 loss at the Charlotte Independence on Saturday, the Hounds failed to generate solid scoring chances, registering just one shot on target. Enzo Martinez scored the lone goal for Charlotte in the 47th minute, as Charlotte handed the Hounds their first road loss since June 30 and first shutout since June 6.

Meanwhile, Tampa Bay (11-6-0) outshot Hartford Athletic by a massive 23-2 gap in a 1-0 win at Al Lang Stadium on Friday. Adebayo-Smith netted his fourth goal of the season, as it took Tampa Bay until the 85th minute to break through.

Even though the Hounds are in the midst of a losing streak that has dropped them to, there is reason for optimism.

The injury report has shrunk for the Hounds with just three players ruled out for Wednesday - Albert Dikwa (groin), Jordan Dover (lower body) and Josh Gatt (knee).

The Hounds have never lost three straight matches under head coach Bob Lilley. The last time they did so was 2017, when they dropped consecutive games to Bethlehem Steel, New York Red Bulls II and the Rochester Rhinos - then coached by Lilley. During his tenure with Rochester, Lilley never lost three straight regular-season matches in a single season, either.

Also, the Hounds are unbeaten against the Rowdies at home, posting a 2-0-2 record all time. Their most recent meeting at Highmark Stadium was on July 13, 2019, when the two clubs played to a 1-1 draw.

Be sure to check out our 3 Things to see what the Hounds must do - and what they must avoid doing - to regain sole possession of first place in the Atlantic Division.

Being a Wednesday game, the match also features our "Hounds Night" specials - $2 hot dogs, $3 Hounds Session Copper beers and $3 soft drinks - and the Tailgate Zone with food being served by Progression Bistro and The Sandwich Guy. Visit Ticketmaster or stop by the Highmark Stadium Box Office to purchase your tickets.

To see the complete 2021 schedule, visit riverhounds.com/game-schedule.

MATCH INFORMATION

Date: Wednesday, Aug. 18

Time: 6 p.m.

Location: Highmark Stadium

Tickets: Ticketmaster

Streaming: ESPN+

Live Statistics: USL Championship Match Center

Live Updates: Twitter at @RiverhoundsSC and #PITvTBR

Check out the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Statistics

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United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 18, 2021


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