In this edition of Oppo Research, Hudson River Blue spoke with CJ Coreschi of Pittsburgh City Paper and TheCup.US to learn more about Pittsburgh Riverhounds, New York City FC's opponent in Round 32 of the US Open Cup on Wednesday night. Here is your NYCFC vs Pittsburgh preview.
• League Form: L-L-W-W-L
• Record: 2W, 1D, 3L | 7 points, 6th place
• Scoring Leader: Daniel Griffin, 2 goals
• Assist Leaders: Beto Ydrach, Brunallergene Etou, and Luke Biasi, 1 assist
1. Pittsburgh: Lackluster offense, solid defense
Hudson River Blue: After losing in the Conference quarterfinals of the playoffs last season, Pittsburgh now sits in 6th Place with seven points after six games. How do you assess Pittsburgh’s start to the season?
CJ Coreschi: In 2024, the Riverhounds were pretty fortunate to back into the playoffs before their first-round exit. The offense was largely anemic and very hit-or-miss, despite having a league-best defense behind them.
This year has largely started the same way, with questions on the offense that remain unanswered – the addition of Augustin Williams has not had the instant impact that the team hoped it would and Bertin Jacquesson has been hurt to start the season – but the Hounds remain a steadfast defensive unit that will be tough to break down. The key for the Hounds largely centers around finding a way to steal a goal early and then relying on that ability to shut down opposing goal-scorers to fend off a response.
2. No stranger to MLS upsets
HRB: NYCFC has struggled in the Open Cup. Despite NYCFC II reaching the Round of 16 last season — advancing further than any other Division III team — the First Team has reached the quarterfinals only once. Could Pittsburgh, which made a run to the quarterfinals two years ago and lost to FC Cincinnati 3-1, see that as an advantage and potentially use its hunger to upset NYCFC and lead to a victory?
CC: With the probably pretty rare (maybe unique entirely) dual-perspective of an NYCFC and Riverhounds supporter, I think City should absolutely be concerned about the possibility of the Riverhounds pulling off an upset.
This is a Hounds team that defeated not one, but two MLS teams in 2023 – Columbus and New England – and Bob Lilley is one of the best domestic coaches period. He'll have the Hounds well-drilled, very aware of the two teams' histories in the Open Cup, and the opportunity this represents for them. Lilley is excellent at game-planning for the opponent's best attackers, and if he can get them to shut down Alonso Martínez, NYCFC's attack has historically struggled to find a second option. That said, City can fend off the upset if they can find a way to score early — battling from behind is not the Hounds' strong suit.
3. Highmark Stadium will be electric
HRB: Pittsburgh has only hosted two MLS teams at Highmark Stadium: A 1-0 win over Columbus in 2023 and a 3-1 loss in extra time to DC United in 2015. What do you expect the crowd turnout to be like, because it's a local MLS team coming to town?
CC: I would expect a fully sold-out Highmark Stadium on Wednesday night, 5,000-plus in attendance — and perhaps approaching 6,000 with standing-room tickets. The Hounds have seen their support and presence in the city grow massively in recent years, to the point where they've averaged a sellout in the past two seasons. The additional draw of an MLS opponent to potentially upset will surely get the fans out, even for a midweek contest.
Hopefully, we'll see a few folks make the decent drive for some away support in the stands too! Always makes for a fun night.
4. The X-Factor: Scoring the first goal
HRB: What's the X-factor that could decide this game?
CC: It's cliche to say the first goal can win games, but with the state of these two teams that really could be the determining factor. The Hounds have scored more than one goal just once this season — back on March 29th against Birmingham. If NYCFC can break through their tough defensive midfield and back line first, it could be a long, frustrating night for the Highmark faithful. That said, an early Hounds goal would mean they can lean on that biggest strength of their team to see the game out. I think both sides really need to come out firing early, moreso than most nights.
5. Predicted score, Starting XI
HRB: Prediction time: Starting XI? Final score?
CC: The Hounds rotated a bit in their opening match, a 1-0 win over Columbus Crew 2, but I'd anticipate that they come out swinging against a big MLS side.
Final score prediction: NYCFC 2-0 Riverhounds. I'd love to pick the upset, but when both teams have big attacking questions, I tend to lean towards the stronger side overall.
