April 25, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC News Release
PITTSBURGH – Fresh off their first win of the season and on a three-match unbeaten run, the Hounds return home for a highly anticipated matchup with Detroit City FC this Saturday at Highmark Stadium.
The contest is a rematch of last year’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinals when Detroit upset the Hounds, 1-0, but more relevant to this year’s meeting is Detroit’s perfect start to the 2024 season – at 5-0-0, they are the last remaining unbeaten and untied team in the USL Championship.
The Hounds will try to put the first blemish on Detroit’s record a week after their attack snapped into shape, with Kazaiah Sterling, Babacar Diene and reigning USL Championship Player of the Week Edward Kizza all putting one in the back of the net to win 3-1 on the road at reigning champion Phoenix Rising FC. Though the Hounds did concede a goal in the win, it is the only goal they have allowed in their last three matches after giving up six over the first three matches of the year.
The win in Phoenix came with veteran midfielder Kenardo Forbes making only a 16-minute appearance off the substitute’s bench, postponing his ascent to becoming the USL Championship’s all-time minutes played leader for at least one week. He now sits 54 minutes off of the record of 21,237 held by former Hounds teammate Hugh Roberts.
Detroit is off to its flying start under new head coach Danny Dichio. The former Premier League striker took over for veteran boss Trevor James, who now serves as the club’s Sporting Director, and their team has shown a knack for squeaking out wins with four one-goal victories in those first five. Tight, low-scoring matches also are par for the course when the Hounds meet Detroit; the teams have met five times (seven, counting preseason meeting) and have never combined for more than two goals in a match.
While the leader on the bench is new for the visitors, the stars on the front and back are familiar faces, with 2023 Goalkeeper of the Year finalist Nathan Steinwascher in Detroit’s net and Maxi Rodriguez – who has two goals against the Hounds in his career – leading the attack with three goals and two assists.
Saturday’s game is Throwback Night, and it marks the return of Highmark Stadium’s most beloved promotion, $1 beers before kickoff. The special will be available in the Tailgate Zone from 5-6 p.m. and then inside the stadium from 6-7 p.m. Food options in the Tailgate Zone this…