Race to First: Despite draw, Hounds still control its destiny

On Saturday, Atlanta United 2, which has been unbeaten in its previous five matches, gave the Riverhounds SC a tough battle, and scored a late goal against the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference leaders.

Final: 1-1 draw completes undefeated home season for Riverhounds SC

Even with the 1-1 result, Pittsburgh (62 points) remains in control of its destiny, but things are now a little bit tighter, as they’re three points clear of Indy Eleven (59 points) and the rest of the pack trying to chase them down for the top overall spot in the Conference.

In the other two matches of note to the Hounds on Saturday, Indy Eleven finally ended its losing streak by dominating Memphis 901 FC, 3-0, while North Carolina FC (53 points) shut out the NY Red Bulls II (57 points), 2-0.

Nashsville looks to have the next big chance to make a move upward on the Hounds, when they take on two-time defending USL Cup champion Louisville City on Tuesday night.

Louisville City FC playing to move into the coveted top four, came away with a 1-0 win over St. Louis on Saturday, and will take on Nashville on just a few days rest.

What a result for #LouCity on the road, and arguably should have been more than 1-0. 3 pts is 3 pts.

As of Sunday, #LouCity is back to 6th place, which would avoid the play-in round. https://t.co/69XGYGPIMb

— Daniel Karell (@DanKarellVille) October 6, 2019

With Nashville and Indy lurking, the Hounds will need some combination of four to six points in its final two matches to secure the top spot. Two wins, and six points will clinch first, otherwise, the door will be open if Nashville and/or Indy can start racking up wins. The Hounds finish with two on the road, against St. Louis and Birmingham, teams battling for its playoff lives. Both Nashville and Indy have the best chance to overtake Pittsburgh, as Nashville still has a game in hand and play all three of its final matches at home.

Saturday, Oct. 5: 

Pittsburgh Riverhounds 1, Atlanta Utd2 1

Indy Eleven 3, Memphis 901 FC 0

North Carolina FC 2, NY Red Bulls II 0

Louisville City FC 1, St. Louis FC 0

RACE FOR FIRST: LATEST STANDINGS  

Pos.			P	W	L	T	GD	Pts	Form
1		Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC	32	17	4	11	26	62	DWWWD
2		Indy Eleven	32	18	9	5	18	59	LLLLW
3		Nashville SC	31	17	7	7	27	58	WLWDW
4		New York Red Bulls II	32	17	9	6	28	57	WLLDL
5		Tampa Bay Rowdies	32	16	7	9	29	57	DLWDL
6		Louisville City FC	31	15	7	9	12	54	DWWDW
7		North Carolina FC	32	15	9	8	21	53	DLLWW

THIS WEEK IN USL EASTERN CONFERENCE RACE 

Tuesday, Oct. 8: 

Nashville SC at Louisville City FC

Saturday, October 12 

Indy Eleven at Tampa Bay Rowdies (7:30 p.m.)

North Carolina FC at Nashville SC (8 p.m.)

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at St. Louis FC (8 p.m.)

Wednesday, October 16 

Swope Park Rangers at Indy Eleven (7 p.m.)

NY Red Bulls II at Birmingham Legion (8 p.m.)

Saturday, October 19

St. Louis FC at North Carolina FC (7 p.m.)

NY Red Bulls II at Loudoun United (7 p.m.)

Atlanta United 2 at Nashville SC (8 p.m.)