PITTSBURGH (June 21, 2017) – The Pittsburgh Riverhounds (4-6-4) return home to face the Tampa Bay Rowdies (6-3-6) at 7 p.m. on Thursday, June 22 at Highmark Stadium.

Currently in the midst of a five-match winless streak (0-3-2), the Hounds hope to snap the streak against Tampa Bay in their first-ever head-to-head match in USL play. Tomorrow night’s match will also be the first time these clubs have met since the Hounds prevailed 1-0 in the Third Round of the 2015 U.S. Open Cup thanks to a tally from Rob Vincent in second half stoppage time.

Scuffling as of late, Pittsburgh is coming off a 3-0 defeat at Louisville this past weekend. The club’s five-match winless streak in league play has included three shutouts, while the three-goal defeat was the first time all season Pittsburgh has dropped a result by more than one goal.

Despite the offensive slump, the Hounds continue to produce chances at a competitive rate, as their 4.29 shots on goal per game ranks sixth in the Eastern Conference.

For the Rowdies, the visitors enter tomorrow’s tilt on a four-match point streak – all draws. Tampa Bay is allowing less than a goal per game at 0.87, but have cooled off after posting clean sheets in six of their first nine this season, allowing seven goals in their past six tilts.  

Off the pitch, the Hounds will be hosting Faith and Family Night, as well as Heart Healthy Night in the first of five editions of the Allegheny Health Network “Health Series.” Fans are encouraged to stick around after the match for a postgame testimonial, where current players and coaches will share their stories on the power of faith and family in sport. The Health Series meanwhile will include a 20-foot inflatable heart for fans to walk through and an appearance from the Medical Director of the AHN Cardiovascular Institute, Dr. Srinivas Murali.

Tickets to the match are still available and can be purchased by visiting Riverhounds.com. For fans unable to make the match, be sure to follow along live with USL Match Center and on Twitter at @PghRiverhounds.

More info on the match can be found below. 

WHO

Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

WHEN

7 p.m. on Thursday, June 22

WHERE

Highmark Stadium

WATCH

USL Match Center

FOLLOW

Twitter: @PghRiverhounds - #PGHvTBR | #UNLEASH

The Howler’s Match Preview

Tampa Bay overall record: 6-3-6

Tampa Bay road record: 1-2-4

STREAK: T4

Pittsburgh overall record: 4-6-4

Pittsburgh home record: 2-4-1

STREAK: L1

Rich Balchan – Out (Achilles)

Kay Banjo – Out (Knee)

Ritchie Duffie – Doubtful (Knee)

Connor Maloney – Out (Lower-body)

Abuchi Obinwa – Doubtful (Hamstring)

Victor Souto – Probable (Knee)

May 27, 2015 at Highmark Stadium (U.S. Open Cup Third Round)

Pittsburgh 1, Tampa Bay 0

SCORING SUMMARY:

PGH - Rob Vincent (90'+1)

Pittsburgh

Goals: Corey Hertzog (6)

Assists: Kevin Kerr and Marshall Hollingsworth (2)

Points: Corey Hertzog (12)

Saves: Trey Mitchell (32)

Save %: Trey Mitchell (.727)

GAA: Trey Mitchell (1.00)

Tampa Bay

Goals: Georgi Hristov (6)

Assists: Michael Nanchoff (4)

Points: Georgi Hristov (14)

Saves: Matt Pickens (22)

Save %: Akira Fitzgerald (1.00)

GAA: Akira Fitzgerald (0.00)

Pittsburgh

Louisville City FC 3, Pittsburgh 0

SCORING SUMMARY:
LOU – Cameron Lancaster 8’

LOU – Cameron Lancaster 64’ (Brian Ownby)

LOU – Niall McCabe 78’ (Richard Ballard)

LINEUP:

Trey Mitchell - Taylor Washington, Gale Agbossoumonde, Jamal Jack, Ben Fitzpatrick - Marshall Hollingsworth (Kenroy Howell 72’), Stephen Okai (Mike Green 69’), Kevin Kerr, Jack Thompson (Chevaughn Walsh 82’) - Corey Hertzog, Romeo Parkes

Tampa Bay

Richmond 1, Tampa Bay 1

SCORING SUMMARY:

TBR – Marcel Shafer 64’
RIC – Franck Tayou 90+4’

LINEUP:

Matt Pickens – Damion Lowe, Luke Boden, Neill Collins, Darnell King – Keith Savage, Joe Cole, Georgi Hristov, Leo Fernandes (Darwin Jones 21’), Marcel Shafer – Martin Paterson (Deshorn Brown 80’)

Single-Game Tickets

The Hounds will host Faith and Family Night, as well as the first of five editions of the Allegheny Healthy Network “Health Series.”

Faith and Family Night will include a postgame testimonial from current players and coaches and performance from the Jubilee Choir. Special guests include representation from Cornerstone Television, K-Love and Christian Sports International.

For Heart Healthy Night, AHN will have on hand a 20-foot inflatable heart for fans to walk through, while also providing the opportunity to engage with Medical Director of the AHN Cardiovascular Institute, Dr. Srinivas Murali, who will be delivering the game ball prior to kickoff.