The Riverhounds (7-8-9) look to extend their two-game winning streak this weekend when they clash with in-state foe Bethlehem Steel FC (10-10-3) at 7 p.m. on Saturday at Highmark Stadium. Pittsburgh tied Steel FC, 1-1, in their first meeting this season at Goodman Stadium.

Dominate the state

This season, the Hounds are undefeated against Pennsylvania opponents, holding a 2-0-2 record. This is a great improvement over the club’s 2016 record of 1-3-2 in such games. Pittsburgh has two matches left against in-state foes (both against Bethlehem) and looks to keep out of the loss column on Saturday.

Riding with Ritchie

Ritchie Duffie has started at wing back during the past two games for the Hounds, recording five tackles and six clearances in this timeframe. Filling in for Marshall Hollingsworth, who is out due to injury, he has played a full-90 minutes in each of these contests – a feat he had not completed since early June. Look for Duffie to keep an increased role on the backline.

Climbing charts

With his two goals last time out against Saint Louis FC, Corey Hertzog moved into sixth all-time in club history with 22 tallies. The striker sits one goal away from moving himself into a three-way tie for No. 5 all-time with José Angulo and Phil Karn. A native of Reading, Pennsylvania, Hertzog would also tie Karn for most goals scored by a U.S.-born player in club history.

Since making his debut on July 4, Tobi Adewole has started nine straight games at center back for the Hounds. In this span, he has logged the maximum allotment of minutes (810) and should continue to be a mainstay moving forward.

With the announcement that Bethlehem leading scorer Seku Conneh will begin serving a three-game suspension this Saturday, James Chambers’ presence is magnified for Steel FC. The midfielder ranks near the top in most offensive categories for the club, being No. 2 in goals (5), No. 3 in shots (23) and No. 4 in chances created (17). The Hounds backline will need to hone in on Chambers this weekend.