Pittsburgh Riverhounds Take USL Title

The city of Pittsburgh can add another championship team to the Steelers, Pirates and Penguins. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds won their first in the United Soccer League by defeating FC Tulsa on penalty kicks 5-3 after playing to a 0-0 tie after regulation time.

The USL is a men's professional soccer league in the second tier of the United States league system.

Pittsburgh’s goalkeeper Eric Dick was named Most Valuable Player of the final after making five saves in the match and making a save to deny Tulsa’s Stefan Lukic in the shootout. It was his 16th shutout of the season and 30th as a member of the Hounds, both team records.

Bertin Jacquesson, Robbie Mertz, Chase Boone, Sean Suber and Beto Ydrach all converted their penalties for the Hounds. The Hounds became the first team in Championship history to win the title without conceding a single goal in the playoffs, as they end the year on a streak of 632 minutes without allowing a goal, dating back to the regular season.

This was the Riverhounds first title in their 26-year history. They finished fourth place in the regular season then defeated Hartford Athletic 4-2 on penalty kicks after going scoreless in regulation. They edged Detroit FC 4-3 on penalty kicks in the semifinals. In the conference final, the Riverhounds defeated Rhode Island FC 1-0.

Link to highlights: https://youtu.be/BUKnZpKGy0s?si=oZ1i3z0FOleq9HNc