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Steel City FC ‘delighted’ to join USL: Men’s team to League Two, Women’s team to W League

File Photo Courtesy Jared Todhunter

A club on the rise, Steel City FC will take another big step forward as an organization beginning in 2025, when its two senior teams will officially join the United Soccer League.

That’s right — the USL announced on Friday morning that Steel City FC will join both the USL W League and USL League Two beginning in 2025.

Steel City was formed in 2021 as a collaboration between youth clubs Pittsburgh Hotspurs and Arsenal FC of Pittsburgh with the goal of creating a clear developmental pathway for local players.

“We are delighted to join the USL family,” Tom Ovenden, Director and Owner of Steel City FC, told Pittsburgh Soccer Now.

“At Steel City FC, we continuously strive to move the game forward in the Pittsburgh area. With the club now competing in the W League and League Two, local homegrown talent on both sides of the game will have even greater access to the highest levels of competition in our region.”

In the USL leagues, Steel City FC’s Men’s and Women’s First teams will look to build from its successes in recent seasons, as they’ve posted winning seasons, earned playoff berths and in the case of the Men’s squad, earned back-to-back NPSL Midwest Region Great Lakes Division titles.

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The Men’s team, originally the Pittsburgh Hotspurs, have competed in the NPSL since 2019.  The club made its first and only appearance in the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup proper tournament, when they hosted professional side, Michigan Stars, losing 1-0, at Ambrose Urbanic Field in March.

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Originally a member of WPSL, Steel City FC’s Women’s squad competed in UWS the past three seasons, where they completed an unbeaten season in 2023 and earned a spot in the National Tournament two consecutive years.

Now, as they’ll enter the W-League, Steel City FC’s women’s team will have an instant local rival in the Central Conference, joining the newly established Pittsburgh Riveters SC.

The Riveters have yet to play a match — but backed by Riverhounds organization and its resources, will make its debut in the pre-professional league.

A third women’s pre-professional club, Beadling SC, has also competed in the WPSL in recent seasons.

Steel City is committed to being a full-service, innovative football club that provides a holistic, player-centered approach in an effort to foster a lifelong passion for the sport alongside pushing players to maximize their individual Potential.

Steel City FC has been driven by its roots in the community, as the club partners with local organizations to provide development training sessions, clinics and summer camps throughout the Pittsburgh area, while also hosting an annual raffle to support local businesses.

The club also provides scholarship and fundraising opportunities for all players to circumvent financial challenges.

Steel City will continue to play their home matches at Founder’s Field located in Cheswick, as a member of the Central Conference in both the W League and League Two.

“We’re extremely excited to welcome Steel City FC to both the W League and League Two next season,” said Joel Nash, SVP of Youth and Pre-Professional Properties.

“The club’s mission of developing its players while fostering their passion for the game closely aligns with the USL, so we’re thrilled to help them bring more opportunities to the Pittsburgh area.”

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John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

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