April 4, 2018 USL Toronto FC II--Toronto FC II vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC preview (from riverhounds.com)
What2Watch4: Toronto - 4/7 By Anthony Picardi, 04/04/18, 10:30AM EDT Fresh off two clean sheets in its first two games to start the season, Riverhounds SC (0-0-2) will head north of the border for a clash with Toronto FC II (0-2-0) at 2 p.m. on Saturday. In series history, Pittsburgh holds a 5-0-2 record against Toronto. The Rundown Deceiving Domination Despite the all-time series being heavily weighted in Pittsburgh’s favor, each of the last four meetings has been decided by one goal or less (the Black and Gold are 2-0-2 in these matches). Riverhounds SC will look to hold onto its undefeated mark against the Canadian foe in what could be yet another close game. Romeo Road Trip Romeo Parkes has notched a goal in both of his previous matches at Toronto, one coming in 2017 and the other during the 2016 season. Still looking for his first tally in 2018, Parkes has led the Hounds with six shots through two games. The striker will look to find the back of the net for the first time this year against Toronto, as well as continue his success north of the border. Centre of Attention Through two matches, Thomas Vancaeyezeele leads Pittsburgh with a 71.1 passing accuracy in the opposing half (minimum 25 total passes). In addition to keeping possession, he also leads the squad with seven interceptions in 2018. The rookie has held down a holding position in the team’s midfield and will look to continue to distribute balls up to the frontline this weekend. By the Numbers: 2 Dan Lynd has posted two shutouts in the Hounds’ first two games to open the season. With his clean sheets, Lynd becomes the first Pittsburgh goalkeeper in the current era of the USL (since 2011) to have recorded two shutouts to start the campaign. Key to Victory: Convert on Chances Despite outshooting its opponents in both of its games and 25-14 overall, Riverhounds SC has come away with two draws to open the season. For the team, it has placed 24 percent of its shots on target to this point. This Saturday, the Hounds will need to see a greater percentage of their takes find their way on net to help complement an already stifling defense.
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