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Hounds geared up for new environment

By Anthony Picardi, 03/23/19, 9:15AM EDT

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Everything will be brand new.

When Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (0-1-0) visits the Swope Park Rangers (0-1-0) for a match at 5 p.m. on Saturday at Children’s Mercy Park, it will present an atmosphere the club has never stepped foot in before in club history.

Despite both teams competing at the USL Championship level since the 2016 season when the Rangers entered the league, they have never met before this campaign. This is because Swope Park previously competed in the Western Conference as opposed to the Eastern Conference.

“Every field you go to feels a little bit different, the people around you make you feel a little bit different,” defender Ryan James said. “But all and all, it’s still the game of soccer and if we play well and we stick to the way we’re supposed to be playing I think it’ll be good for us when we go there.”

As if adjusting to a new environment did not present a challenge in of itself, Saturday’s match will also mark Swope Park’s home opener. Last year at Children’s Mercy Park, the Rangers faired well, posting a 10-4-3 record at home.

“You have to try to get as much information as possible,” forward Steevan Dos Santos said. “I’ve never played against them before, but I had a friend who played for them and we talk about it.”

A large bit of this information will stem from the Rangers’ season opener 3-1 loss against New York Red Bulls II. Within this match, Swope Park was bombarded with shots and ended up allowing 23 total shots and 15 takes on target. Furthermore, 20 of New York’s shots came from inside of the penalty area.

This past weekend against the Tampa Bay Rowdies, the Hounds demonstrated the ability to move the ball inside the opposing 18-yard box, but they could not convert. The squad touched the ball a total of 19 times inside the Rowdies’ penalty box.

“We have to get our movement right,” Dos Santos said. “I don’t think it matters how many shots, it matters if the ball goes in.”

Playing an instrumental part in the Hounds’ ability to catalyze the attack, the team’s outside backs are often relied upon to make runs up the field and provide support to fellow strikers and attacking wingers.

As Dos Santos has the back of the net on his mind, he will look to players like James for support.

“I think having the confidence to go forward,” James said, “and have the chance to create those attacking opportunities and finish our attacking opportunities.”