Pulse of Pittsburgh Soccer: Pittsburgh-Philly clash in Open Cup, Steel City FC women ready for jump to W-League

Photo courtesy Ed Thompson

It’s a lot to keep up with as May madness has begun as Pittsburgh’s soccer schedule has ramped up with the addition of Riveters SC, the start of Steel City men’s and women’s teams, Beadling SC’s first women’s team in WPSL — plus the Riverhounds who also have a busy week ahead.

The Riveters SC drew a remarkable, overflow crowd at Highmark Stadium on Friday for its first ever match.

Of course, Pittsburgh Soccer Now‘s Rachael Palmer and Ed Thompson were there to capture the action and provide the match report of what was a historic occasion — as the Riveters played Cleveland Force to a hard-fought, scoreless draw before 6,077 fans.

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

Steel City FC’s women’s team, which has been around for nearly a decade, will also kick off play in W-League when they travel North to take on Erie Sports Center.  Look for more content to come as we look ahead to their season, which will also include a pair of home-and-home matches against the Riveters in June.

Steel City men’s began their new campaign, in a new league (USL League Two) against a familiar opponent, Akron City FC — and the two teams battled to a 2-2 draw with all of the goals coming in the first half.  A couple of returnees, Anders Bordoy and Eben McIntyre, scored for Steel City.

Weathering an early storm in Akron, Steel City FC battle back for 2-2 road draw in USL League Two debut

In addition, Beadling SC’s women’s first team also opened its season by playing Corktown WTC to a scoreless draw at AHN Field at Canon-McMillan on Sunday.

Beadling WPSL kicks off their season with a scoreless draw against Corktown WFC (Detroit) at AHN Field in Canonsburg. (5/18/25) pic.twitter.com/7p1w2glOfp

— 'Burgh Soccer (@soccer_burgh) May 19, 2025

Bringing up the rear — the Riverhounds road woes continued on Saturday night as they surrendered an early goal and couldn’t find an equalizer, losing 1-0, at Colorado Springs. It wasn’t pretty as the Hounds continue to struggle with scoring goals — which you can read more about in PSN’s match Takeaways and Player Grades.

Takeaways and Player Grades: Riverhounds’ anemic attack can’t be resuscitated after falling behind early in Colorado

It was Pittsburgh’s third straight loss in league play.

They will now switch gears and look to knock off yet another Major League Soccer opponent on Wednesday night, when they take the Turnpike across the state, to take on Philadelphia Union.

We are excited about crossing over with shared content along with our ‘brother’ site as Philadelphia Soccer Now‘s Matt Ralph will anchor coverage from Chester while he’ll also join me on Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast to preview the match.

Looking ahead — we have a packed Pittsburgh soccer schedule (see below) as all teams mentioned above are in action this week and through the end of the month.

Pittsburgh Soccer Schedule (5/16 – 5/31)

Wednesday, May 21

7 p.m. — US Open Cup Round of 16 — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC at Philadelphia Union (Chester, PA)

7 p.m. — Steel City FC (men) vs Buffalo (Founders Field, Indianola)

Saturday, May 24 

4 p.m. — Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC vs Rhode Island FC (The Stadium at Tidewater Landing)

4 p.m. — Steel City FC (men) vs Erie (Erie Sports Center)

6 p.m. — Steel City FC (women) at Erie (Erie Sports Center)

6 p.m. — Pittsburgh Riveters SC at Flower City FC (Sahlen’s Stadium)

Sunday, May 25

3 p.m. — Beadling SC (women) vs Columbus Eagles (Canon-McMillan HS)

Wednesday, May 28

7 p.m. — Steel City FC (men) vs Toledo Villa (at Toledo, OH)

Saturday, May 30

7 p.m. — USL Jagermeister Cup — Pittsburgh Riverhounds vs Rhode Island FC (Highmark Stadium)

Sunday, May 31

3 p.m. — Steel City (women) vs Cleveland Force (Founders Field, Indianola)

4 p.m. — Beadling SC (women) at FC Dayton  (Centerville Football Stadium)