Pittsburgh Riverhounds MatchDay: Looking For Second Win Of Season Against Richmond

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds seek to come back from a disappointing 2-1 loss to the Chicago Fire of MLS in Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup action as they take the pitch at Highmark Stadium today against the Richmond Kickers.

This afternoon is the final match in the three game series between the two clubs, with the first two taking place at City Stadium in Richmond. The contest is set to kick off at 3:00 p.m.

For those in the Steel Army unable to make to the South Side, it will be streamed live on the USL Pro’s YouTube channel.

The Kickers (7-1-6, 27 points) dispatched the Hounds 3-1 in their home opener on a two-goal effort from midfielder Kyle Porter back on April 5th. Collins John pulled a goal back with less than 10 minutes remaining in regulation to bring Pittsburgh within reach at 2-1, but Porters second score of the evening in stoppage time put it out of reach for the Riverhounds.

Two weeks later, the Hounds (1-7-5, 8 points) grabbed a 2-0 advantage on the scoreboard on goals from Brian Ownby and Jhonny Arteaga. Porter would help in Richmond’s comeback as he and forward Matthew Delicate both scored late in the contest to end it in a 2-2 draw.

It should be noted that three of Porter’s four goals this season have come against the Hounds. Other Kickers to keep an eye on include Delicate with nine goals in 14 games-played along with midfielder George Davis with seven goals in 14 contests.

Richmond goalkeeper Joe Willis is tied for the league lead in shutouts with John McCarthy of Rochester and Odisnel Cooper of Charleston at five apiece.

The rivalry between these two clubs dates back to 1999 when they competed in the USL First Division. Richmond holds a 15-8-8 lead overall in the series with the Hounds. They are currently in third place in the USL Pro standings.

It will be interesting to see who interim head coach Niko Katic starts in goal today for the Hounds. Hunter Gilstrap took the loss in the thunderstorm curtailed contest on Wednesday night against Chicago, while Michael Lisch, who is on loan from the Houston Dynamo of MLS, has the team’s lone victory, three draws, and one shutout this season.

Despite their showing in the standings, Pittsburgh is just eight points out of the last playoff spot held right now by the Charleston Battery, with about half the season still to be played.

The Hounds will close out the month of June at home as they host the Dayton Dutch Lions (3-9-2, 11 points) on Saturday, June 28 at 7:00 p.m.

Riverhounds Reinforcements: Pittsburgh defender Andrew Marshall earned honorable mention for USL Pro Team of the Week honors for Week 13.

Hounds midfielder Anthony Obodai is tied with Shintaro Harada of the Dayton Dutch Lions and Mehrshad Momeni Azandaryani of the Orange County Blues FC for the league lead in fouls with 22 apiece going into this afternoon’s match.