Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (18-4-11) heads to Birmingham, Alabama on Sunday evening as it closes out its regular season schedule against Birmingham Legion FC (12-14-7) at BBVA Field. The game will kick off at 5:30 p.m.

Finish Your Chances

The Riverhounds own an impressive advantage in goal-scoring over Birmingham, having converted 57 times in 33 games this season compared to just 35 from the Legion. Despite this, the two squads have posted almost identical shot numbers this season, with Birmingham narrowly ahead with 140 shots on target compared to 133 for Pittsburgh.  Quality finishing and the ability to take advantage of scoring opportunities when they arise are going to be paramount come Sunday. 

 Attacking Depth 

Both squads boast well-rounded attacks despite Pittsburgh having a significant advantage in goalscoring. 

While they lack a double-digit goal-scorer, Birmingham has three players who have scored at least five times this season and six players who have scored three times or more.  J.J. Williams and Prosper Kasim each lead the team with seven goals scored on the season. 

Neco Brett and Steevan Dos Santos have each cracked the double-digit goal mark so far for Pittsburgh, with Brett’s 13 leading the team. 

Keeping Things Close

Sunday’s matchup will feature a showdown between two of the best goalkeepers in all of the USL Championship.  

Birmingham’s Matt Van Oekel is 15th overall in the league in total saves with 73, just four shy of cracking the top 10 overall.  His 11 clean sheets on they year are the third-most of any keeper in the league as well. 

Pittsburgh boasts an impressive keeper of their own, as Kyle Morton’s 12 clean sheets is toed for second-most despite only having made 46 total saves on the season. 

By The Numbers: 10 

Pittsburgh is unbeaten in their last 10 matches, and is coming off of a 1-0 win in Saint Louis FC last Saturday. They have outscored opponents 14-2 over that stretch.

Number One Seed

Pittsburgh is currently clinging to first place overall in the Eastern Confrence Table, one point clear of second-place Nashville with 65 points. 

A win Sunday would lock up the No. 1 overall seed and guarantee homefield advantage for the duration of the playoffs. A draw against Birmingham and a Nashville loss to Atlanta United 2 would also guarantee the top spot for the Black and Gold.  

A Pittsburgh loss or draw and a Nashville win would drop the Hounds to the second seed overall.