After back-to-back wins on the road, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (7-8-9) return home to face Bethlehem Steel FC (10-10-3) at 7 p.m. on Saturday, Aug. 21, at Highmark Stadium.

Saturday marks the second of three meetings between the Hounds and Steel FC this season. Bethlehem and Pittsburgh played to a 1-1 draw on July 15 at Goodman Stadium and will meet again at that same venue on Sept. 24.

The Hounds are 1-1-2 against Steel FC all-time.

Bethlehem remains entrenched in the playoff picture, currently slotting in at sixth in a crowded Eastern Conference table with 33 points – three points better than No. 10 Pittsburgh.

Since seeing their season-best eight-game unbeaten streak end on July 22, Steel FC have won only two of their last six matches (2-4-0), including losing two straight heading into Saturday. Despite the struggle to capture wins as of late, Bethlehem has only dropped one place in the standings. 

Liberian forward Seku Conneh holds multiple Bethlehem records in the club’s second year of existence. Conneh’s seven goals are a Steel FC single-season high and his nine goals over the last two seasons are the most in club history. This season, he is tied for 11th in the Eastern Conference in goals.

Last time out against the Hounds, Conneh did not play due to injury and he started the month of August out with injury for Steel FC’s for first two matches. Conneh has since returned, playing in the club’s last two matches, but still remains mired in a scoreless streak dating back to June 11. 

Strengths

Penalty kicks – Bethlehem leads the East with seven goals on penalty kicks and, overall, averages a goal every 69 minutes.

Possession – Tied for fifth-best in the Eastern Conference, Bethlehem has owned an even 50 percent of the possession in matches this season.

Weaknesses

Conversion rate – Steel FC’s 30 goals are sixth-best in the East, but their 13 percent conversion rate is tied for ninth.

Discipline – Aggressiveness on the field has hurt Bethlehem too often. The club ranks second in the East in fouls conceded (348) and third in yellow cards (50).