Photo Gallery: Fans pack Highmark Stadium for first-ever Riveters match

The Pittsburgh Riveters made their debut in the USL W-League, playing Cleveland Force to a scoreless draw before an overflow crowd of 6,077 fans at Highmark Stadium on Friday.

The Riveters pulled in a crowd of 6,077 — the fourth-highest in Highmark Stadium history. It was a sellout and you could feel it. The grandstands were filled and the Steel Army had more people fill up the Paul Child Stand more than the entirety of the Riverhounds season.

The energy from the large crowd was infectious.

Rachael Palmer was there to provide the match report, including reaction from players and coaches.

‘I felt it:’ Riveters draw Cleveland but provide building blocks

Ed Thompson also caught the action, as the teams battled in what was a match that was fairly open-ended, with each team generating chances, but ultimately were a bit rusty in the final third.

The Riveters generated 13 shots — forcing Cleveland goalkeeper Griselda Revolorio to make four saves.

A couple close calls included a potential goal from Riveters’ Piper Coffield, which was waved off due to a foul and a Carola Fontán shot off the bar in the first half.

Ed Thompson Photo Gallery

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