Preview: Stakes get higher for hard-charging Riverhounds in midweek clash at struggling Detroit City FC

Photo courtesy Matt Gajtka

One of the most impressive performances of the season for the Riverhounds came when they rolled to a 2-0 win vs Detroit City FC at home in April.

In that match, Pat Hogan scored on a header that eminated from a Robbie Mertz cross, then Danny Griffin capitalized on a penalty kick opportunity, thanks to one of the numerous times Junior Etou wrecked havoc in the box this season, giving the Hounds one of their most convincing wins of the campaign.

That seems like ages ago.

Now, the teams will meet again as the Hounds head to Detroit looking to continue to build on the momentum from a big road win at Sacramento on Saturday night, and a budding four-match unbeaten streak which has them as a team that’s charging back into the mix for a postseason berth after a poor first half of the season.  Detroit City FC is seeking their first win since late June, as they’re currently on a six-match winless streak that continued on Saturday, with a 1-1 draw vs Rhode Island FC.

Detroit is currently sitting in seventh place with 29 points, while the Hounds (25 points) are trying to chase them down to get back over the playoff line.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. ET ( TV: CBS Sports Network ; Radio: SiriusXM FC, Channel 157 )

Earning a post season spot won’t be easy though, as the Hounds have 12 matches remaining in the season, and they currently trail Detroit City and Rhode Island by four points in the standings.  ** In this week’s Riverhounds Notebook, we took an in-depth look at what it will take for Pittsburgh to earn their seventh straight postseason berth **

The primary storyline for this match is pretty simple: it’s a critical encounter for both sides in the Eastern Conference playoff race.

The series history between the clubs since they began playing in 2021, is noted for tight, hard-fought contests with little room for error on either side.

They’ve played three times in Hamtramck, and each time, the match ended in a draw.  Both the 2022 and 2023 meetings at Detroit ended as draws, and close contests are the norm in this series — neither team has scored more than two goals in any of the six previous meetings.

Following their latest clean sheet in Sacramento, the Hounds enter the match as one of the toughest defensive teams in the league.  Detroit also enters with lower-scoring matches being their norm at just 26 goals scored and 23 allowed.

Between that and the series history between the sides — three draws in six all-time meetings and no team scoring three goals in any of those matches — it’s no surprise the bookmakers rate the match the most likely of the Championship weekend to end in a draw at +210.

City FC’s form coming into this match is not great as they haven’t won since a 4-0 trashing of last place The Miami FC.  Since that win on June 29, they’re winless in their last six matches, scoring just three goals but only surrendering six goals during that stretch.

Maxi Rodriguez remains the focal point of the Detroit offense with a team-high seven goals and three assists — he has scored twice in six meetings with the Hounds — and goalkeeper Nathan Steinwascher continues to be among the best in the league despite his numbers sliding slightly this year from previous seasons.

For a more detailed breakdown of Detroit’s roster, with first year coach Danny Dichio at the helm, check out our Preview/Scouting Report ahead of April’s match at Highmark Stadium.

Preview: Can Riverhounds break Detroit City FC in rematch of bitter playoff loss?

For a while now, the Hounds have been the more team that might be more desperate, and always plays before a lively home crowd.

Head Coach Bob Lilley and his troops are preparing for another dogfight, but, as captain Danny Griffin said when the Hounds were preparing to face a stingy Detroit side in April, they will need to go on the attack.

In that match, Pittsburgh went with a fluid five-man back line which was solid in denying Detroit’s attack from finding space and completely limited shots and chances.

In total, DCFC had six shots, with one on target.

A similiar effort will be needed by the Hounds on Wednesday night.

The playing field should be leveled as both teams are playing on short rest, though the Hounds have to deal with extra travel.

Hounds Head Coach Bob Lilley should have a full roster to select 18 players to put into the lineup card and pencil in a starting lineup that could very well see some rotation from the eleven that began the match on Saturday’s night.  Midfielder Bradley Sample will return after sitting out from a red card suspension in the previous match vs Loudoun United FC.

On Saturday, Lilley opted to start EJ Johnson as the target forward, but brought on Kazaiah Sterling for the start of the second half.  It’s possible that he keeps that rotation, but also could give Babacar Diene and/or Enoch Mushagalusa a start to keep legs fresh.

Goalkeeper Eric Dick had his best performance as a Hound and arguably one of the most impressive outings for any keeper in the club’s recent history, with eight saves at Sacramento, and the veteran should remain as the selection in goal.

John K’s Projected Riverhounds Starting Eleven 

• GK – Eric Dick
• Winger/OB (L) – Pierre Cayet
• CB – Luke Biasi
• CB – Sean Suber
• CB – Pat Hogan
• Winger/OB (R) – Dani Rovira
• CMF – Bradley Sample
• CMF – Danny Griffin
• AMF – Kenardo Forbes
• F – Edward Kizza
• F – Enoch Mushagalusa

Bench options:

• GK – Gabe Perrotta, Jacob Randolph
• D – Illal Osumanu, Jake Kent-Loop, Junior Etou, Langston Blackstock
• MF – Robbie Mertz, Aiden O’Toole, Jackson Walti, Nate Dragasich
• F – Babacar Diene, EJ Johnson, Kazaiah Sterling

Match info

Riverhounds (6-9-7) vs. Detroit City FC (8-7-5)
Date: Wednesday, Aug. 7
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, Mich.
Odds: Hounds +190 / Draw +210 / Detroit +135 (FanDuel)
TV: CBS Sports Network
Radio: SiriusXM FC, Channel 157
Live statistics: USL Championship Match Center
Live updates: @RiverhoundsSC on Twitter
Match hashtags: #DETvPIT and #HOUNDTAHN