If you feel like you're experiencing deja vu with this article -- "Didn't we just play in Pittsburgh a few days ago?" -- you're not incorrect. We did just play at the Riverhounds last Wednesday. But you're not reading incorrectly either: we're playing there again on Saturday night.
The Orange & Blue's final regular season match of the 2016 campaign is scheduled to be played out this weekend. And though Harkes and his men could be forgiven for keeping one eye on the team's first ever playoff game the following weekend, there's still plenty to play for in their 2016 swan song.
And you can find out why in our full match preview below.
WHAT TIME IS IT HAPPENING:
Saturday, September 24th, 2016, at 7:00pm EDT.
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THE OPPOSITION:
The Riverhounds were founded as the Pittsburgh “Riverdogs” in 1998 as a member of the USL A-League. But despite being a long time staple in the American lower leagues, on field success has proven elusive for the Riverhounds. Their Atlantic Division title back in 2004 remains the club's only major silverware, though they have thrice advanced to the semifinals in the playoffs in 2004, 2006 and 2010. Otherwise, the team's highest finish since undergoing a one-season hiatus in 2007 was a third place finish in 2010.
RECENT RESULTS:
FCC: After suffering a dip in form in August, the Orange & Blue have gotten back on track in September. They're undefeated on the month and sport a 3-1-1 record over their last five matches. That's been enough to see the team secure third place in the Eastern Conference standings and a home playoff match, which means a rotated squad is once again likely in the cards heading into a trip up the Ohio River.
Pittsburgh: Since drawing us last Wednesday, Pittsburgh followed up that results with a 1-1 draw with Bethlehem Steel FC at the weekend that lifted them off the bottom of the Eastern Conference standings to 13th in the table. That puts the Riverhounds at 1-1-3 in their last five outings, which is a little better than par for the course for their season.
HEAD-TO-HEAD:
FCC and the Riverhounds have now met twice before, with FCC leading the series with a 1-0-1 record. The first of those results was a 1-0 win, coming back on May 14th at Nippert in front of a now-broken USL record breaking attendance for our "Orange Out". The last of those came just a week ago today, with the two team's holding each other scoreless at Highmark Stadium.
WHO TO WATCH:
FCC: With a home playoff match and the third seed already secured, and the likelihood of jumping or falling places in the standings impossible, this Saturday's match is one where changes to the squad should be expected. But don't be surprised to see team and league Sean "Ugo" Okoli make the starting XI as he looks to take sole possession of first place in the league scoring table -- particularly with Chandler Hoffman, Brandon Allen and Irvin Herrera all hot on his heels with 14 goals to his 15. And though he's also one more yellow card away from another one match suspension, luckily those don't carry over into the postseason.
Pittsburgh: With the Riverhounds long eliminated from USL post-season play and little to play for other than pride, who they might field is anyone's guess. FCC managed to shut down leading scorer Corey Hertzog (#11) last time out, and expect doing so again to remain a priority. But also watch for a trio of young Columbus Crew loanees -- midfielder Marshall Hollingsworth (#25), Christian Martinez (#34) and Zack Steffen (GK - #30) -- to make an impression after all looking sharp against us in last week's match.
THE VENUE:
Located on the South Shore banks of the Monongahela River, Highmark Stadium has been the home of the Pittsburgh Riverhounds since 2013. The 3,500 seater is a soccer specific stadium, and offers amazing views of the Pittsburgh skyline.
DIRECTIONS
FORECAST:
Similar conditions to last Wednesday's match in Pittsburgh are expected for this Saturday's upcoming match in the same location. The current forecast is projecting temperatures at kickoff to be hovering around 75° F, with partly cloudy skies -- though the chance of rain looks lower than it was last time, as of the time of publication.
HOW TO WATCH:
Most FCC away matches are not broadcast on local television, and the same holds true for Wednesday's match at Pittsburgh.
However, like all regular season USL matches, it will be available as a free livestream broadcast on YouTube. And if you want to follow the action and the conversation, take in the stream in the USL Match Center.
HOW TO LISTEN:
Just as with the local TV broadcast, there are no local radio streams for away matches.
SOCIAL:
As is the case every match, you can follow along with the action on our Twitter feed at @fccincinnati. For live looks from before, during and after the match, follow us on Instagram and Snapchat by following 'fccincinnati', too. Halftime and full time updates will also be available on Facebook.
