Pittsburgh Riverhounds News Release - www.riverhounds.com

Friday, July 31, 2015

PITTSBURGH - The Pittsburgh Riverhounds aim to bounce back from a three-game losing streak Saturday night when Wilmington Hammerheads FC visits Highmark Stadium. Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET.

The Hounds have slipped to a 7-8-4 record (25pts) after consecutive losses to FC Montreal, Louisville City FC and the Harrisburg City Islanders in recent weeks. Last Sunday's 4-3 reverse in Harrisburg allowed the Islanders to pull level with Pittsburgh in the sixth and final playoff spot having played two fewer games.

A home win against a Wilmington team (2-11-6, 12pts) that props up the Eastern Conference is imperative if the Hounds are to grab one of the top four positions that guarantees a home playoff game.

"Everything is still in our hands," said Riverhounds assistant coach Josh Rife. "It's within our control and that's a great place to be in.

"Wilmington hasn't had the season they would have wanted, but they're a dangerous opponent that we can't take for granted."

Jamaican national team goalkeeper Ryan Thompson is back in contention for a starting spot after winning a silver medal at the recent CONCACAF Gold Cup. Thompson's last Hounds appearance came in the 2-1 win at the Richmond Kickers on May 23.

Anthony Arena misses Saturday's game through suspension after picking up his fifth caution of the season in Harrisburg. On-loan Orlando City defender Conor Donovan is also unavailable. The MLS franchise has recalled the United States Under-20 national team player to cover some injury concerns this weekend.

The Hounds will be able to use fellow Orlando loanee Sidney Rivera after his paperwork cleared this week. The 21-year-old forward has featured in eight USL games this season during an earlier loan spell at Louisville City.

Hounds head coach Mark Steffens will also be unable to call upon Vini Dantas and Drew Russell as they recover from respective knee and heel problems. Sterling Flunder and Fejiro Okiomah are rated as probable after missing last week's game due to knee and Achilles injuries.

Hammerheads head coach Carson Porter will be without forward Brian Ackley and Scottish defender Tom Parratt after the duo picked up their fifth yellow cards last week.

The Hounds reclaimed the honor of being the USL's top scoring team following last week's treble in Harrisburg. Rob Vincent is tied for the points and points-per-game lead with Oklahoma City Energy's Danni Konig with his 13 goals and five assists. Only Konig (14 goals) has found the net more often than Vincent.

Wilmington has found the net on 12 occasions. Only Toronto F.C. II has scored fewer goals. Hammerheads goalkeeper Andre Rawls ranks fourth in the league in save percentage.

Saturday's event will feature a special honoring of Pittsburgh soccer legend and Hounds ambassador Paul Child. The former Pittsburgh Spirit great will be available to meet with fans in the Highmark Stadium sports bar from 5:30 p.m.

The first 3,500 fans will receive a free Hounds T-shirt courtesy of our partners at Highmark as we push for our second #HoundsGoldout of the season. Fans will also receive Paul Child player cards produced by Carlsberg.