After consecutive home matches, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (8-9-11) play their penultimate road match of the regular season against Bethlehem Steel FC (10-11-5) at 3 p.m. on Sunday, Sept. 24 at Goodman Stadium.

This will be Pittsburgh’s second trip to Bethlehem this season. Last time, the Hounds and Steel played to a 1-1 draw on July 15. The two Keystone State foes also met on Aug. 26 at Highmark Stadium, with Pittsburgh claiming a 3-2 victory.

The Hounds hold a 2-1-2 record vs Steel FC all-time.

Winless in its last five matches, Bethlehem has dropped out of the playoff picture in the Eastern Conference. The Philadelphia Union B-side sat in sixth when these two clubs met last August, but now, like the Hounds, is a point out of a playoff spot.

The drop-off has been considerable, as Steel FC, after starting the season 3-6-0, adjusted to go undefeated (5-0-3) in their next eight matches. Since that unbeaten streak came to an end with a loss to the Richmond Kickers on July 22, Bethlehem is 2-4-2.

Forward Cory Burke has been on a roll as of late. In his last six matches, Burke has scored four goals with two of those tallies coming against the Hounds.

The Jamaican is currently the leading goal-scorer in Steel FC’s two-year history with 10 goals in 39 games played, including six in 19 appearances this season.

Strengths

Aerial duels – Bethlehem has won 53.9 percent of its aerial duels, good enough for third in the Eastern Conference.

Penalty kicks – Steel FC’s nine goals on penalty kicks is tops in the East. Of note, two of the three goals scored by Bethlehem this season against the Hounds have come via a penalty.

Weaknesses

Rough stretch – Bethlehem is 0-3-2 record in its last five matches, having dropped out of a playoff spot in the process. Steel FC has only captured two of a possible 15 points over those five matches and hasn’t won since Aug. 13.

Discipline – With 383 fouls and 58 yellow cards, Bethlehem ranks fifth in both respective categories in the East.