Pittsburgh Riverhounds MatchDay: Hounds Take On Battery At Highmark Stadium

The Hounds seek win No. 1 as a three-game homestand begins Saturday night at Highmark Stadium. (Photo: Riverhounds.com)

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds open a three-game homestand with a match against the Charleston (S.C.) Battery tonight on the South Side. Both squads are seeking their first win as they enter their fifth match of the season to close out the month of April.

The contest is set to kick off at 6 p.m. and for those who can not make to Highmark Stadium, it will be streamed live on the USL Pro’s YouTube channel.

Last week, the Hounds (0-2-2) held off a second-half comeback by the Kickers in Richmond to claim a point in a 2-2 draw. Midfielder Brian Ownby scored at the 11th minute in the first half for Pittsburgh, while forward Jhonny Arteaga added a second goal early in the second half at the 61st minute. Goalkeeper Michael Lisch, who, like Ownby, is on loan from the Houston Dynamo, had four saves on the evening.

After giving up one goal in its season opener against Orlando, Pittsburgh has allowed nine in its last three matches. That total of 10 goals ties them with the Orange County Blues FC for most allowed in the league. The Hounds’ seven goals scored is good for seventh overall in USL Pro.

The Battery (0-1-3) is only one point ahead of the Hounds in the league standings. Charleston has put four goals up on the scoreboard while allowing five in their four matches this season. They are coming off a 1-1 draw at home against the New York Red Bulls Reserves.

The Pittsburgh offense will have their work cut for them as Charleston starting goalkeeper Odisnel Cooper has 13 saves in four matches this season.

In April 2013, Charleston shut out Pittsburgh 2-0 at Blackbaud Stadium in South Carolina. The Hounds battled to a 1-1 draw in the return match last June at Highmark Stadium.

The second game of the three-game homestand takes place on Friday, May 9, when the Riverhounds host the Orlando City Lions at 7 p.m.

Riverhounds Reinforcements: Pittsburgh was represented on the USL Pro Team of the Week by Ownby for his efforts, which included drawing a penalty kick against his former team, Richmond.

Midfielder Danny Earls and forward Jason Johnson both earned honorable mentions for Week 5.

The Hounds have teamed up with Autism Speaks and Mike Bruno to help raise awareness and funds for Autism Awareness Month. Pittsburgh will unveil their third blue kit on Saturday night in support of autism awareness. Throughout the match, the Riverhounds will be selling commemorative T-shirts and also selling raffle tickets for multiple prizes with all proceeds benefiting Autism Speaks.