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Gameday Previews – Wednesday, July 6

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 07/05/22, 11:22AM EDT

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Four-game slate features key games in both the Eastern and Western Conference playoff races


Detroit City FC and Hartford Athletic will square off for the second time this season with Le Rouge looking for a repeat of their victory at Trinity Health Stadium earlier this campaign. | Photo courtesy Hartford Athletic

Three teams currently below the playoff line in the Eastern Conference will look to gain ground as they face sides in the top seven on Wednesday night as Week 18’s action continues in the 2022 USL Championship regular season with a four-game slate.

Here’s a look ahead to all the action.

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs. Indy Eleven

Venue: Highmark Stadium
Kickoff: 7 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: PIT 58%, IND 18%, Draw 24%

The Lowdown: Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC will try to build on victory last time out as it plays host to an Indy Eleven side looking to break out of a three-game winless streak as it heads to Highmark Stadium. The Hounds ended a six-game winless streak last Friday night as a pair of goals by Russell Cicerone paved the way to a 3-0 victory against the New York Red Bulls II at MSU Soccer Park. The night was also historic as Pittsburgh midfielder Kenardo Forbes became the first player in the Championship’s regular season to reach 50 assists, while Alex Dixon also found the net to move to 48 regular-season goals in his career. The win moved Pittsburgh six points ahead of Indy, which suffered a 1-0 defeat to Miami FC on Saturday night to slip into eighth place in the Eastern Conference standings. The Boys in Blue have been held scoreless in each of their past two outings but have two games in hand on Miami as they look to move back into the playoff positions. To achieve that, Indy will need to claim its second win at Highmark Stadium in its history after having gone 1-2-1 in four prior visits.

Spotlight Players
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC – Dane Kelly:
The Jamaican veteran would become the USL Championship’s all-time regular season appearances leader should he feature on Wednesday night, entering tied with former Louisville City FC standout George Davis IV on 242 appearances after his substitute appearance on Friday.

Indy Eleven – Stefano Pinho: The Brazilian has been held without a goal in the past two games after a three-game scoring streak prior and will be eager to get back on the scoresheet and help his side get back in the win column.

Atlanta United 2 vs. Birmingham Legion FC

Venue: Fifth Third Bank Stadium
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: ATL 21%, BHM 56%, Draw 23%

The Lowdown: Birmingham Legion FC will try to rebound from a late setback – and try to cool off one of the hottest players in the Championship – as they head to face Atlanta United 2 and the first meeting between the sides this season. Atlanta enters having taken four points from its past two games with forward Tristan Trager leading the way. The June signing has scored a pair of goals in each of the past two games for Atlanta to move to five goals in eight appearances overall in his rookie season after competing for Air Force Academy previously. Atlanta was denied a victory on Saturday night as they conceded in second-half stoppage time to end in a 2-2 draw against El Paso Locomotive FC but will be hoping the attacking spark the side has found at times this season continues against a Legion FC side that boasts one of the best defensive records in the league. Birmingham missed out on a chance to gain ground on the top three in the Eastern Conference on Saturday as Louisville City FC took a 2-1 win to break Legion FC’s four-game winning streak despite a brilliant individual goal by Enzo Martinez for the visitors at Lynn Family Stadium. The visitors will be confident of a bounce-back display, however, having claimed a 6-0-1 record all-time against Atlanta in their prior encounters.

Spotlight Players
Atlanta United 2 – Robbie Mertz:
The influential midfielder provided both assists on Trager’s goals against El Paso on Saturday and has now notched three goals, four assists and 26 chances created, making him central to Atlanta’s attacking success.

Birmingham Legion FC – Anderson Asiedu: The dynamic midfielder could see a return to the lineup in place of Mikey Lopez, who is set to serve a suspension following his red card for two cautions against LouCity on Saturday.

Detroit City FC vs. Hartford Athletic

Venue: Keyworth Stadium
Kickoff: 7:30 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: DET 45%, HFD 28%, Draw 27%

The Lowdown: Detroit City FC will try to solidify its top-four position in the Eastern Conference as it plays host to Hartford Athletic for the second meeting this season between the sides. Le Rouge return home after breaking a four-game winless streak this past Saturday night as Connor Rutz’s first goal in the USL Championship earned a 1-0 win against Las Vegas Lights FC at Cashman Field. The result left DCFC four points back of the third-placed Tampa Bay Rowdies and seven points off first place at the midway point of its inaugural season in the league, and currently well set for a postseason berth. The side will be hoping for a repeat of a 2-1 victory against Hartford earlier this season at Trinity Health Stadium that saw Stephen Carroll scored a stoppage-time winner, while the Athletic will be trying to turn the tables after winning two of their last three outings in league play. Hartford earned a 2-0 victory against Western Conference contender Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC last Tuesday night as Ariel Martinez scored his first goal for the side since a midseason arrival before Andre Lewis wrapped up the result with 11 minutes to go. With a nine-point margin to make up to the playoff places, Hartford is in serious need of what would be just a second road victory this season.

Spotlight Players
Detroit City FC – Deklan Wynne:
The New Zealand wingback notched his fourth assist of the season against Las Vegas and could provide a strong two-way threat down the left side that Hartford will need to contend with.

Hartford Athletic – Connor McGlynn: The defensive midfielder could have his hands full with a talented Detroit lineup, and will need to help the side retain its defensive shape while also offering a long-range threat in the attacking half.

New Mexico United vs. Rio Grande Valley FC

Venue: Isotopes Park
Kickoff: 9 p.m. ET
Broadcast: ESPN+
538.com Predictor: NM 48%, RGV 25%, Draw 27%

The Lowdown: New Mexico United and Rio Grande Valley FC will play the first game of a unique doubleheader that will see the sides also square off on Saturday night at the same venue after the original postponement of this game from June 22. New Mexico arrives sitting in the seventh and final playoff place in the Western Conference after a 1-1 draw against Monterey Bay F.C. on Saturday night that saw Sergio Rivas find the net for the visitors at Cardinale Stadium. United has the chance to make a solid move up the standings in the upcoming week, however, as a win on Wednesday would move the side into fifth place in the West before it reaches the midway point of its season on Saturday night. The Toros have similar playoff aspirations, though, and can pull level with New Mexico on points with a win on Wednesday as they try to build on a three-game undefeated streak. RGVFC played to a 0-0 draw on June 30 against Copa Tejas rival El Paso Locomotive FC, earning a second consecutive shutout, and has had success against New Mexico in the past, losing only once in posting a 2-1-3 record in six prior meetings.

Spotlight Players
New Mexico United – Justin Portillo:
New Mexico’s midfield playmaker could play a key role on Wednesday night with the Toros having conceded a league-high five goals from free kicks this season, and another five from corner kicks.

Rio Grande Valley FC – Isidro Martinez: The attacking midfielder returned to the Toros this offseason after spending 2021 with New Mexico and has notched a team-high five assists this year, a total he’ll be looking to add to on familiar turf.

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