7PM – Highmark Stadium
Match Officials, as assigned by PRO:
REF: Mr. Brandon Artis
AR1: Ms. Amanda Ross
AR2: Mr. Lucas Feathers
4TH: Mr. Nathaniel Buck
Riverhounds Yellow Card Watch (5 cautions to a match ban)
Danny Earls – 5 (Suspended Today)
Anthony Arena – 4
Stephen Okai – 3
Kevin Kerr – 2
Matt Dallman – 1
Willie Hunt – 1
Lebo Moloto – 1
Amara Soumah – 1
Russell Drew – 1
Robbie Vincent – 1
Morning Line Odd, Via Bet365
Pit +100
Draw +250
NY +225
In the aftermath of last week’s water polo match, the Hounds have a few obstacles to overcome;
– Assistant coach and team legend Niko Katic, suspended
– Head coach Mark Steffens, suspended
– Midfielder and team captain Danny Earls, suspended
– Defender Willie Hunt, suspended
Yeah, no big deal.
Sugar Free Red Bulls are also working on a three consecutive road wins, and are playing their best soccer of the season. In contrast, the Hounds are coming off a four goal June, and haven’t been able to maintain the offensive output while cleaning up the defensive miscues that plagued them over the first third of the season.
For the Riverhounds, it will be interesting to see how the team lines up with two starters forced to miss the match. Fortunately, a number of players already have experience in ‘positional flexibility’ and should be prepared to adequately step up (or back). Furthermore, the team may finally be getting healthier than not, allowing for some depth options off the bench in the final stretches of the match.
TAILGATE
It’s the Fourth of July. If this is your first Hounds game on the Fourth, just be prepared to start early and go late. People will start around 11am or noon and continue to arrive through 3pm. Be prepared to show a game ticket to enter the parking lot, much like on a Heinz Field concert day. If you aren’t planning to arrive until after 5pm, be prepared to wait to park and possibly in other lots.
When your team is in 6th place when six teams make the playoffs, every match is HUGE. Even more so when the opposition sits in 5th place. No need to be quiet or meek tonight. Get loud, get crazy, make a difference.
#UNLEASH
