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Riverhounds clinch USL Championship playoff berth for sixth consecutive season

Photo courtesy Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC

Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC didn’t play on Saturday, but for the sixth consecutive season, the club has clinched a spot in the USL Championship playoff tournament, thanks to Indy Eleven’s 1-0 victory over The Miami FC.

The Hounds have now qualified for the postseason in each of Head Coach Bob Lilley’s six seasons at the helm.

Despite clinching a playoff berth, idle Pittsburgh’s lead in the Eastern Conference dwindled to one game, as the Tampa Bay Rowdies defeated the Hartford Athletic, 2-1, despite the Athletic having lost seven rostered players due to being positive with COVID-19.  Third place Charleston Battery is facing New Mexico United, on the road late Saturday.

The Hounds (14-5-9, 51 points / 28 matches played) and Rowdies (15-6-5, 50 points / 26 matches played) each clinched playoff berths on Saturday night. The Battery (13-7-8, 47 points / 28 matches played including Saturday vs New Mexico) can also inch closer to a playoff berth and to the Hounds with a win on Saturday.

While Louisville (43 points / 27 matches) and Indy Eleven (41 points / 28 matches) are making a late push, for all intents and purposes, it appears that it will be a three- team race to see who can finish at the top of the table.

Pittsburgh returns to action next Saturday, when they host Loudoun United FC, at Highmark Stadium, while the Rowdies have a mid-week clash at Memphis, then return home to face Louisville next Saturday.

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John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

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Riverhounds MF Kenardo Forbes

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