USL Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Riverhounds Preview Upcoming Matches

Published on August 8, 2013 under United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release


Pittsburgh - Following a six-point road trip to the Sunshine State, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds continue their push to secure a playoff berth with a pair of matches this weekend. On Friday, the Riverhounds travel to Sahlen's Stadium to meet their long-time region-rivals, the Rochester Rhinos. Then on Sunday, the Riverhounds return to Pittsburgh for an afternoon match against VSI Tampa Bay FC at Highmark Stadium. With playoff positions still up for grabs, the final ten days of the USL PRO season should be filled with multiple close games.

Heading into the last two weekends of the season, the Riverhounds are arguably the hottest team in the league next to the Richmond Kickers. Having dropped only two of their last seventeen games, the Riverhounds have hit stride at the right time and are focused on the task at hand, securing a playoff berth.

"We have put ourselves in a position where, if we take care of our remaining games, we will be in the 2013 playoffs and that was one of our team goals," commented Head Coach Justin Evans. "It has been a season full of peaks and valleys. Right now the team is playing with a certain sense of confidence, which makes it really fun to be with this group of players day in and day out."

Rochester Rhinos Outlook

In their first meeting on June 1, the Riverhounds shut out the Rhinos 3-0 at Highmark Stadium. Receiving a goal each from strikers Jose Angulo and Jhonny Arteaga, along with midfielder Ryan Kinne, the Riverhounds ended their winless streak to the Rhinos dating back to June of 2010.

Friday night's match-up in Rochester has implications for both clubs, playoffs for the Riverhounds and pride for the Rhinos, the team that battles together for the entire ninety minutes should prevail victorious.

VSI Tampa Bay FC Outlook

Following Friday's match against the Rhinos in New York, the Riverhounds return to Highmark Stadium to meet VSI Tamp Bay for the second time in just 10 days. Last weekend in Florida, the Riverhounds trailed 1-0 at the half, but received a goal from rookie Rob Vincent and Captain Rich Costanzo to earn a 2-1 win.

VSI Tampa Bay will travel north for a set of games in the Keystone State. On Saturday, the Florida-side will meet the Harrisburg City Islanders at Skyline Sports Complex on City Island, then travel overnight to meet the Riverhounds on Sunday. With both clubs traveling and playing two games during the weekend, the teams will call upon each player to solidify their position for the playoffs.

During the game, the Riverhounds will be collecting donations for the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The team will wear ‘Willig' jerseys in honor of Sydney Willig, an active 10 year-old living with Cystic Fibrosis.

Following the game, the Riverhounds will hold a "Shirt Off the Back" raffle with proceeds benefiting the Cystic Fibrosis Foundation. The cost for raffle tickets is three tickets for $5 and an arm's length for $10. In addition, the Riverhounds are currently collecting pledges for goals scored by the Riverhounds with funds benefiting Sydney and other members of the Pittsburgh community currently battling this life threatening disease. To make a pledge, please contact media@riverhounds.com or call (412) 539-1191.

Check out the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC Statistics

Share: Facebook | Twitter/X | LinkedIn | Reddit | Email



United Soccer League Championship Stories from August 8, 2013


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

OurSports Central