Needing some help to stay close in playoff race, Riverhounds limited to watching scoreboard this weekend

Although the Riverhounds do not play this weekend, the team, coaches and Pittsburgh soccer fans will be watching the USL Championship scoreboard closely.

UPDATE: Sunday (9/22/2024) results – Birmingham and Detroit pick-up wins, while Loudoun United FC loses to New Mexico United to remain in 8th place, two points ahead of the Hounds. 

UPDATE: Saturday (9/21/2024) results — Not a good night for Hounds

• Hartford Athletic defeat Oakland Roots, 2-0 — with the win, Hartford passes the Hounds in the standings, jumping into 9th place with 37 points
• North Carolina FC defeated Indy Eleven, 2-0 — withe the win, NCFC also pass the Hounds up in the table, now occupying 9th place, pushing the Hounds down to 10th.
• Rhode Island FC defeated FC Tulsa, 2-1 — a late goal lifted Rhode Island further up the table too — moving up to a tie with Indy Eleven for 5th place, as both teams now sit on 40 points

Oh my oh my…

Albert Dikwa in stoppage time pushes Rhode Island higher up — now five points ahead of Riverhounds. https://t.co/3OEM4vYSMA

— Pittsburgh Soccer Now (@pghsoccernow) September 22, 2024

• Here’s the latest table, ahead of Sunday’s matches

The Hounds spent some time this week to get some rest and begin training in preparation for a final five games in five week stretch that will close out the 2024 campaign, and determine if they can get into the playoffs for the seventh straight season.

Counting down the days until we see you at Highmark Stadium again!🗓️

🎟️🔗 https://t.co/07O0nP7PF6#PITvBHM #HOUNDTAHN pic.twitter.com/TxZUZF5xSc

— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) September 19, 2024

The Hounds will resume their playoff push next Saturday, at Highmark Stadium when they host Birmingham (7 pm), who sit three points ahead of them, and have an extra game at hand against last place The Miami FC, on Sunday.

Who's ready for a weekend of doomviewing?

Calm the heart and ready the nerves of steel with six matches we'd like to see fall certain ways.

Good chance to practice those deep breathing exercises, n'at.#UNLEASH pic.twitter.com/PiCSd3wFUr

— Steel Army (@SteelArmy) September 20, 2024

There will be host of matches on Saturday and Sunday which will have implications on the Hounds (35 points in 9th place with five matches remaining) who are trying to get back over the playoff line (8th place or higher).

If you’re a Riverhounds fan, the best case scenario(s) for this weekend would be the following:

• Hartford loss or draw vs Oakland
• Indy-North Carolina draw (or Indy win keeps NC from climbing higher)
• Rhode Island loss or draw to FC Tulsa
• Detroit City FC loss to Louisville City FC
• Loudoun United FC loss or dra to New Mexico United
• Birmingham loss or draw to The Miami FC

USLC Matches with Hounds Playoff implications

Saturday, September 21, 2024 

Hartford (37 pts – 5 matches remaining) def Oakland Roots, 2-0

North Carolina (36 pts – 6 matches remaining) def Indy Eleven (40 pts – 6 matches remaining) 

Rhode Island FC (38 pts – 5 matches remaining) drew FC Tulsa, 1-1

Sunday, September 22, 2024 

3 p.m.   Detroit City FC (42 pts – 6 matches remaining) vs Louisville City FC

4 p.m.   Loudoun United FC (37 pts – 7 matches remaining) vs New Mexico United

5 p.m.  Birmingham Legion FC (38 pts – 6 matches remaining) vs The Miami FC

Here is the latest USL Championship Eastern Conference standings posted below.