Rochester is winless in its last 5 games with 3 matches remaining in the regular season.
The Rochester Rhinos and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds will meet for the third and final time this season Saturday at Highmark Stadium. Kickoff is slated for 7 pm and you can watch it locally on ROC Sports Network – WBGT channel 18/46.1, or on the USL YouTube Channel.
The two sides have played to two draws this season – a 0-0 scoreline on July 22 in Rochester, and a 1-1 nailbiter in Pittsburgh on Sept. 16.
Rochester has dominated the all-time series against Pittsburgh, going 23-6-6
2017 Playoff Outlook
The Rhinos currently are on a 5-match winless streak; their longest of the season, and it could not have come at a worse time.
After previously looking to compete for the No. 1 seed in the Eastern Conference, Rochester still needs to do some work to make the postseason with just 3 matches left to play. There are 5 playoff spots left to be claimed in the extremely-tight East, with 6 teams competing for them.
Currently, the Rhinos sit in 5th place, sitting just 2 points behind Tampa Bay for the 4-seed, which would guarantee a home playoff match. Conversely, Rochester sits just 4 points ahead of 9th-placed Bethlehem Steel.
Remaining schedule: @ Pittsburgh Riverhounds, vs. Bethlehem Steel, vs. New York Red Bulls 2
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds have been eliminated from playoff contention.
Players to Watch
ROCHESTER
Jochen Graf / Darius Madison / Whoever starts up top – The Rhinos haven’t put a ball in the back of the net in over 5 halves of soccer (227+ minutes to be exact). Graf and Madison have 10 of Rochester’s 31 goals between them.
PITTSBURGH
Kevin Kerr – The midfielder broke through the Rhinos defense to score a beauty of a goal last time out to give the Riverhounds a 1-0 lead before Rochester snatched a point at the end. Kerr has contributed 3 goals, 5 assists and currently is third in the USL with 60 chances created.
Key Statistics
Fouls Conceded: Rhinos 445 (3rd-most in USL), Pittsburgh 317 (fewest in USL)
Shutouts: Rhinos 12 (T-2nd most in USL), Pittsburgh 8 (T-14th in USL)
Goals Conceded: Rhinos 27 (T-2nd fewest in USL), Pittsburgh 39 (T-14th in USL)
Penalty Kicks: Rhinos 7/7 (Best in USL), Pittsburgh 2/3