RIverhounds Notebook: Can the Hounds finally conquer the Queen City?

With the Riverhounds coming off a massive result at Lynn Family Stadium, there is plenty of momentum heading into Friday’s USL Cup clash against Charlotte. This road trip represents a final hurdle before the squad earns a well-deserved week off from competition.

PSN’s Kevin Hutchinson visited training this week to get the pulse of the team as they prepare to head south.

Squad Rotation and Injury Updates

The biggest question mark heading into the weekend surrounds Albert Dikwa, who was a notable absence in the win over Louisville. Dikwa has been managing a minor injury, and Coach Rob Vincent opted for caution, utilizing the opportunity to keep Trevor Amann sharp with the start. Both strikers are expected to be in the 18-man roster on Friday.

The defensive unit continues to show impressive depth despite ongoing absences. Beto Ydrach (hernia) and Guillaume Vacter (knee) remain sidelined, having been out for nearly a month. In their stead, Vincent has leaned heavily on the young trio of Lasse Kelp, Owen Mikoy, and Victor Souza, a group that has matured quickly under pressure. Since taking the reins, Vincent has shown a willingness to pivot tactically, and the defensive resilience shown during last week’s 36% possession win is a testament to that adaptability.

The Goal Scorers: Bassett and Amann

The mood at training was clinical and confident, particularly among the goal scorers from last week. Trevor Amann, who opened the scoring with a poacher’s header in the 9th minute, continues to provide the physical presence the Hounds need in the box. Amann noted that the win at Louisville provided a significant boost in belief for the group.

“I always try to put myself in good positions in the box,” Amann said. “Winning against LouCity gave us some confidence and belief that we can win against anybody.”

Midfielder Sam Bassett, fresh off a bullet from distance that sealed the LouCity match, appears to be hitting his stride.

Coach Vincent was quick to praise Bassett’s contribution to the squad’s recent form, noting the midfielder’s work rate. “[Bassett contributes] a lot of technical quality,” Vincent said.

“He’s got a great engine on him.”

Bassett highlighted the team’s ball movement in the first half of the previous match as a catalyst for his second-half strike, which came via a well-timed assist from Charles Ahl.

“We were moving the ball pretty well in the first half; I had a chance on goal, and unfortunately it hit the crossbar,” Bassett said.

“Once Charles [Ahl] passed it to me [in the second half] I knew it was pretty open to take a shot.”

USL Cup Stakes: The Group Stage Pivot

Friday’s match at American Legion Memorial Stadium isn’t just a renewal of an old rivalry; it’s a pivotal moment in the USL Cup group stage. Both Pittsburgh and Charlotte currently sit on three points. The Hounds opened the tournament with a dominant 3-0 win over Greenville Triumph, while Charlotte earned a 2-1 victory over Richmond.

With only group winners and a single top runner-up advancing to the knockout rounds, the winner of this match likely takes the inside track to the next stage. Coach Vincent has made it clear that the club is attacking this competition with intent, emphasizing that a win this weekend is vital to controlling their own destiny heading into the final weeks of the group stage.

“We want to take this tournament seriously, take this competition seriously, this weekend,” Vincent said.

“We said that before the Greenville game as a group, that we want to attack this competition… to head into week three and four with a chance to get to the knockouts, I think you have to win this weekend.”

Scouting the Jacks: A Queen City Hex?

Historically, Charlotte has been a house of horrors for the Hounds. Between 2015 and 2021, Pittsburgh managed just one win in 14 meetings (1-8-5). Interestingly, the Hounds faced a similar “Queen City” hex against FC Cincinnati during their USL days—a city and team they also struggled to beat.

The constant in Charlotte remains Head Coach and GM Mike Jeffries, who has been the architectural force for the Independence for years. Currently competing in USL League One, Charlotte is in “red hot” form, riding an undefeated streak through May. They typically employ a 4-2-3-1 or 4-3-3, relying on technical midfielders like Christopher Jaime to dictate tempo.

“[Charlotte] is one of the more experienced League One teams,” Vincent said.

“One of the stronger USL One teams in my opinion… we’ll have to defend well just like we did last weekend, and hopefully put our stamp on the game too.”

USL Cup: Group 6 Standings & Stakes

Group 6 Standings

What’s at Stake?

• The Path to the Knockouts: The USL Cup features seven regional groups. Only the seven group winners and one “wild card” (the best second-place finisher across all groups) advance to the Quarterfinals on August 12.

• Tiebreaker Advantage: In this tournament, the first tiebreaker is most goals scored. With the Hounds currently tied at 3 points with Charlotte and Charleston, keeping the offense aggressive on Friday is critical for maintaining that narrow edge in the table.

• A Statement Win: A victory in Charlotte would effectively put the Hounds in the driver’s seat for Group 6, potentially allowing them to clinch a knockout spot in the final group stages in July. For a team looking to balance the league schedule with a trophy run, securing points now is the top priority.

Match Info:

• Opponent: Charlotte Independence

• When: Friday, May 15, 7:30 PM ET

• Where: American Legion Memorial Stadium, Charlotte, NC

• Watch: KDKA+ / Streaming on ESPN+

Kevin Hutchinson