Match info
Riverhounds (0-3-0) vs. Tampa Bay Rowdies (1-0-2)
Date: Saturday, April 6
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Highmark Stadium
Tickets: Ticketmaster
Odds: Hounds +145 / Draw +260 / Tampa Bay +150 (FanDuel)
TV: KDKA+
Streaming: CBS Sports Golazo Network
Live statistics: USL Championship Match Center
Live updates: @RiverhoundsSC on Twitter
Match hashtags: #PITvTBR and #HOUNDTAHN
PITTSBURGH (April 4, 2024) — Returning after an early season weekend off, the Hounds will try to get things moving in the right direction in front of the home crowd when they host the Tampa Bay Rowdies on Saturday night at Highmark Stadium.
The Hounds will have had 14 days since their last match, a 3-1 defeat at East-leading Louisville that saw the team struggle early before working their way back into the match with an Edward Kizza tying goal after halftime. Though Louisville took all three points after a penalty kick and an insurance goal late in stoppage time, the Hounds were zipping through the Louisville box with more intent in the second half, and only the tightest of offside calls prevented Kizza from tying the match a second time when it was 2-1.
With the added week of preparation, the Hounds have had time to tweak some things that haven’t worked to start the season, and coach Bob Lilley has stated there will be some lineup adjustments before facing the Rowdies, who are coming off their best match of the young season, a 4-1 romp at home last Saturday over newcomers Rhode Island FC.
The Rowdies have only won once in eight trips to Pittsburgh, going 1-4-3 all-time at Highmark Stadium, but this year’s team might have as much attacking strength as any to make the trip. Returning 2023 Golden Boot runner-up Cal Jennings and USL veteran scorer Manuel Arteaga, a new addition, each have two goals in the young season for a team that has scored seven — but allowed four — in its first three contests.
Prior to the match will be a short recognition of midfielder Kenardo Forbes becoming the club’s all-time leader in appearances. The match at Louisville was the 195th for Forbes, tying him atop the Hounds list with original Hounds forward David Flavius (1999-2006), who will be on hand Saturday to deliver the match ball and bring the club’s all-time top scorer, Flavius, together with the all-time assists leader in Forbes.
In addition to the match, it is also “Wild West Night” at Highmark Stadium, as we welcome halftime performer Loop Rawlins. Rawlins, known for his trick roping, whip cracking and gun spinning routine, has been featured on America’s Got Talent and performed a three-year run with Cirque du Soleil, and Saturday, he will appear at Highmark Stadium for the first time.
Before the match, fans will be able to enjoy food from Cilantro y Ajo and PGH Crepes in the Tailgate Zone beginning at 5 p.m., and inside the stadium, new food specials for April will be on offer. Keeping with the “Wild West” theme, the train grill on the East End will offer a Western burger, topped with jalapeno poppers, American cheese and a chipotle mayo, while Nacho Junction near the pub will have Southwest BBQ nachos as the monthly special. Still available as well are the popular pizza logs in the pub, while supplies last.
The match will air live on local partner KDKA+ and stream for local audiences on the KDKA website. This match will be the Hounds’ first to stream for free nationally through the CBS Sports Golazo Network, part of the USL Championship’s four-year broadcast deal with CBS that began this season.
Tickets for the match are still available through Ticketmaster, at the Highmark Stadium Box Office or by phone at 412-865-GOAL.
