PITTSBURGH – Two of the top teams in the USL’s Eastern Conference collide on Friday night (7 p.m. ET | Match Center | ESPN+) as Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC host Bethlehem Steel FC at Highmark Stadium in a critical matchup as the playoff picture continues to take shape.

Here are five things to watch for as the Pennsylvania rivals square off on the riverfront in Pittsburgh.

1. HEAD OF STATE: Pittsburgh enters Friday night’s contest without a loss (1-0-2) against any of its Pennsylvania rivals this year, having defeated Bethlehem 2-1 at Goodman Stadium in their only previous meeting this season thanks to a brace from leading scorer Neco Brett. A point or more for Riverhounds SC against Steel FC and in the Keystone Derby Cup finale against Penn FC on Sept. 26 would complete Pittsburgh’s first ever unbeaten season against its two in-state rivals. Meanwhile, Bethlehem has yet to record a point against either Pittsburgh or Penn FC this season (0-3-0).

2. EVERY POINT COUNTS: Friday night’s match is an important six-pointer for two teams vying for playoff positioning in an increasingly congested Eastern Conference. Pittsburgh currently sits in third place on 46 points, but can leapfrog Louisville City FC (47 points) for second ahead of LouCity’s clash against conference-leading FC Cincinnati on Saturday. Bethlehem has accumulated 42 points – good for sixth in the Eastern Conference standings – but has played more games than any of the teams chasing it for a berth in the USL Cup Playoffs. Steel FC has just five games remaining and will need to take as many points as possible in those limited opportunities to fend off potential late-season charges from Ottawa, North Carolina and Penn.

3. ROAD WARRIORS: Bethlehem has won each of its last four games away from home, outscoring their opponents by a combined 10-1 margin over that span. Steel FC has recorded six road wins this season, matching its franchise best with a 2-1 victory over Nashville SC at First Tennessee Park on the team’s most recent road trip.

4. PROTECT THE HOUSE: In 14 home games this season, Pittsburgh has kept 11 clean sheets and surrendered just three goals on its way to a 7-2-5 record. However, the Hounds did concede a goal their last run out at Highmark Stadium in a 1-1 draw with the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Aug. 22. While Pittsburgh’s defense has proven difficult to break down at home, Steel Head Coach Brendan Burke says his team will play with an attacking mindset on Friday night.

"They have conceded three goals at home all season so it’s an uphill battle, but you have to swing away. Nashville had only conceded three at home and we scored twice and took an important result. That will be my mentality and I think the boys are the same way.”

5. LOSING IT LATE: Pittsburgh has failed to win any of its four matches since beating Bethlehem on Aug. 12 because of a recent inability to hold a lead. The Hounds held a one-goal advantage in each of their last three games but conceded second-half goals that resulted in dropped points against FC Cincinnati, Indy Eleven and the Tampa Bay Rowdies. Pittsburgh will have to be aware of another late surge on Friday night as Bethlehem has scored 31 of its 49 goals this season in the second half.