7PM – Highmark Stadium
Match Officials, as assigned by PRO:
REFEREE: Mr. John Douglas
AR1: Ms. Kathryn Nesbitt
AR2: Mr. Justin Frear
4TH: Mr. David Potter
The team (and league) is keeping this whole thing interesting, no? Tonight is another huge match as the Hounds face off against the LA-turned-Orange-County-Blues FC, in the only regular season contest between the two teams, this season. Both teams are desperate, Pittsburgh to keep scraping their way into playoff contention, the Blues to get off a five game losing streak.
For Pittsburgh, every game is a big game, with every point vital if the Hounds want to close the playoff points gap, which is currently three points wide. The starting XI seems to be an often fluid situation, but some insight was given away by the team in their short Niko Katic interview that was poster yesterday. From it, we’ve learned…
– Jose Angulo is another week, or so, away from getting back into training. He suffered a high ankle sprain two weekends ago in Sacramento
– Jason Johnson, a Dynamo loanee, is expected to start tomorrow for Pittsburgh
– Brian Fekete has a broken rib
– Mike Seth suffered an ankle sprain which will require surgery
– Greg Blum recently underwent a shoulder surgery
For the Blues, it’s all about getting back on track. The club has lost their last four road matches and last five overall. The only team not to have a drawn a match this season, OC is the only team to have conceded more goal than the Hounds (40 to 39) while having scored three fewer times (25 to 28). If the Blues want to make their own run into the top eight, today is vital for them, as well. After tonight, all of OC’s remaining opponents are currently above them in the standings and all but one are currently in the playoff positions. While Pittsburgh is trending upwards in the final third of the season, the Blues are nosediving at the worst possible time.
PARKING & TAILGATE
Due to a concert at Station Square the road leading to the West parking lot, and our tailgate, from Station Square will be closed at Buckheads. You will need to enter off of Carson Street from the opposite direction, near the incline.
PARKING ALERT: W.Station Square drive will be closed tomorrow at Buckheads for a concert. Commerce Drive will be open. Plan accordingly!
— PghRiverhounds (@PghRiverhounds) August 7, 2014
With this being a weekday, we will probably be setting up closer to the Ft. Pitt Bridge. We will have merch available for purchase as well as accepting donations to the Wounded Warrior Project.
#UNLEASH
