Game Day: Hounds vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies

June 25, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release

PITTSBURGH – The Hounds return home to Highmark Stadium after playing four road games in five matches when they host the reigning Eastern Conference champion Tampa Bay Rowdies at 7 p.m. tonight.

Tonight’s matchup marks the second meeting between the Hounds and Rowdies this season. Tampa Bay found the win in their first meeting in St. Petersburg, Fla., as an early goal by Alex Dixon was undone in a 3-1 defeat. But Highmark has been good to the Hounds in this matchup with a 3-0-3 all-time home record against the Rowdies.

Last week, the Hounds fell short at Rio Grande Valley FC with a final score of 1-0 in the Texas heat, but despite losing their last two road matches, the Hounds have a 6-0-1 record (5-0-1 in USL matches) at home. The team has additional history on its side, as it has not lost three consecutive matches since Bob Lilley became head coach prior to the 2018 season.

To find success tonight, the Hounds are going to have to get through a hot team in the Rowdies, who have not lost a game since April 30 against Memphis. In their last six games, they have posted four wins and two draws, which includes their win over the Hounds. Finding the back of the net has not been an issue for the Rowdies, especially for Jake LaCava who leads the team with six goals, and Leo Fernandes, who earned the Fans Choice USL Championship Goal of the Week on his latest tally.

One former Hounds player who will not be in action is Steevan Dos Santos, as the Rowdies’ forward is out with an injury. Tampa Bay also recently acquired former Hounds All-USL selection Thomas Vancaeyezeele, which could line him up to face his old club twice at Highmark after already visiting with his previous team, Birmingham Legion.

Off the field, the Hounds will be celebrating Pride Night on Saturday. As part of the festivities, the national anthem will be performed by the Renaissance City Choir, and there will be a raffle table inside the Tailgate Zone with prizes generously donated by local businesses. Proceeds from the raffle will be donated to multiple LGBTQ+ organizations in the Pittsburgh region who have been featured this month in our Pride Spotlights on Instagram at @RiverhoundsSC.

As always, the Tailgate Zone at Highmark Stadium will open at 5 p.m. New this week is a Brochachos Salsa sampling, and right outside the Tailgate Zone will be a Virtual Reality Display presented by our partners with…