The penultimate match of the 2022 season brings an Eastern Conference foe to Heart Health Park. Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC have clinched a fifth straight playoff berth. Sunday’s match will be the first fixture for the two playoff bound sides since 2014. With both clubs looking to establish crucial momentum ahead of the playoffs, it’s set to be a spirited afternoon at Heart Health Park.
For Sacramento, getting back to winning ways is the main focus. Even with a berth secured, they can’t take their foot off the gas. Much remains at stake and the club is preparing as such.
“There’s still a lot to play for. We’re still in fourth place, pushing for third,” said Josh Bauer. “And that’s just what we’ve got to keep reminding ourselves, no matter what the results are from weeks prior.”’
“This game is really important for us to stay focused,” said Maalique Foster. “And [it’s important] to just go out there and try to get these three points.”
Pittsburgh will be pushing hard as well. In the Eastern Conference, things are tight as ever with two contests to go. No club’s final seeding is set in stone, and just two points separate the club from a top-4 spot. All year, they’ve been tough to beat, and to boot, they’ve got a winless streak of their own that they’ll be looking to snap.
“It’s going to be a game where there’s a lot on the table,” said Mark Briggs on Friday. “[So] we have to come out and produce a performance, and get some momentum back within our group.”
“They’re consistent contenders in the east,” Bauer said. So we know they’re going to come here – it’s crunch time at this point in the season – and give us a go.”
Even coming off a tough week, Mark Briggs’ Men aren’t rattled. The players on the field know that they still control their own fate. Coming back home for the final two games of the season gives the squad an extra edge they’re eager to have the full stands behind them.
“Obviously, we’ve shown that we enjoy playing in front of our fans, we enjoy playing at home,” said Briggs. “So hopefully, we can continue in that vein, and get back in a good run of form and give ourselves a little more confidence going into the playoffs.”
“The group has really rallied around each other this week,” Bauer continued. “Whether it be on the field or off the field, [we’re] just getting together and keeping the confidence going forward.”
