Blackbaud Stadium MUSC Health Stadium – 7:30PM
Match Officials, as assigned by PRO:
REF: Mr. Howard Ash
AR1: Mr. Sam Hosig
AR2: Mr. Michael Catlett
4TH: Mr. Parker Northrop
Riverhounds Yellow Card Count (Five cautions to a one-game suspension)
Conor Branson – 1
Willie Hunt – 1
Jordan Murrell – 1
Ben Swanson – 1
Morning Line Odds from Bet365
Charleston -125
Draw +240
Pittsburgh +280
Pittsburgh wraps up their two game road swing as they visit South Carolina to take on the Charleston Battery (*snap snap*). The Hounds are still looking for their first win of the season and stealing all three points from a Charleston side that appears to be a serious contender in the East would be a great way come back home.
The big story for the Hounds is the return of captain Kevin Kerr, who has less than a game and a half to his credit after series of ‘unfortunate incidents’ has kept Kerr on the sidelines, despite being fully healthy. He should be able to hook back up with Lebo Moloto who was a bit of a surprise start on Wednesday, with multiple reports suggesting that his hip flexor issue would preclude him from even being listed on the team’s bench. The other positive factor working for the Hounds, the weather. With mid 70-degree temperatures and a distinct lack of moisture in the Charleston forecast for tonight, Mark Steffens may be able to have his guys play the ball on the ground, where the team should have strength, as opposed to the run and chase kickball game that broke out on the rain and carpet covered infield in Louisville on Wednesday.
Other things to look for tonight would include who does and does not get a start with the relative short turnaround between games. Does rookie goalkeeper Mo Vargas make his professional debut on the Carolina coast? Will there be other significant changes in the XI (other than Kerr)? There were no substitutions made in Louisville, but the game was drawn out over four hours, with no apparent injuries picked up. How much of the squad will be available for selection?
Charleston is coming off a snoozing nil-nil match at LeHigh Valley last Sunday. The team will still be without midfielder Zach Prince, who is serving the final match of his two-game suspension for a serious foul late in a 3-2 loss to Charlotte. The Battery at perfect at home in the young season, both wins on the back of late-game goals to secure victory. Luckily, the Hounds never concede late, so this probably won’t be a factor.
The Hounds have almost certainly underperformed so far this season. Between postponed games, terrible weather in games that were played, and phantom red cards, it’s been an unusual start to the season (though, ‘unusual’ is the going norm in the USL). The team has not close to showing their best, nor have they played a solid game for the entire 90 minutes. This, above all else, may be the most frustrating things so far; knowing that there is ‘better’ to be seen, but having yet seen it. Tonight would be a good time to bust out some goals and come home with four of the potential six points.
Everyone gets to watch the first half before the Penguins game starts (don’t fool yourself into thinking that the puck drops at 8pm). Then, most everyone will have to go multi-screen for the second half. It’s ok, you’re allowed to cheat.
#UNLEASH
