Beadling SC

Pulse of Pittsburgh Soccer: Steel City FC, Riveters SC are neck-and-neck atop W-League Great Forest Division standings

by
John Krysinsky
June 3, 2025

Photo courtesy Randy Warner / Steel City FC

There are two new teams from Pittsburgh in the W-League — and those two clubs — the Riveters SC and Steel City FC are currently atop the Great Forest Division standings three weeks into the season.

This week, things will heat up as both teams look to claim their stakes in the race for first place, as both squads have multiple matches coming up.

The larger story here is that the emergence of these high-level women’s soccer teams is now happening on a much bigger stage — as the Riveters are drawing great crowds to Highmark Stadium, while the club that’s been built through incremental success over the years with its own Academy programs and community behind it, Steel City, are continuing to post results and foster a great atmosphere for home matches at Founders Field.

And talk about a busy week ahead — Founders Field is always a busy spot this time of year, but Steel City FC’s men’s and women’s first teams, competing in USL League Two and USL W-League, respectively, are hosting four matches in a five day span this week at their home fortress nestled in the woods of Indianola, off Route 910.

Steel City FC women didn’t lose a match in regular season play last season — and thus far they’re off to a great start since joining W-League.

The women’s side (2W-0L-0D, 6 points), looks to remain unbeaten in W-League Great Forest Division play when they host a familiar foe, FC Buffalo for the first time this season.

Steel City earned an impressive 2-1 triumph over Cleveland Force on Saturday.

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The two clubs know each other well, having played two exciting matches in 2024, when they were competing in the UWS.

A season ago, Steel City FC completed regular season play unbeaten, with a 5w-0L-3d mark, good for 18 points, finishing fifth overall in United Women’s Soccer East Conference standings, but ending just one point behind FC Buffalo.

Unbeaten Steel City FC women finish regular season with 2-2 draw at FC Buffalo; UWS playoffs start Tuesday

Steel City FC women will also host Erie Sports Center, on Saturday at 6 p.m., as the second match of a doubleheader, with the men facing off against Erie at 3 p.m.

Meanwhile, after the debutant Riveters suffered their first loss last week at Cleveland, to the same side that Steel City knocked off on Saturday. At Cleveland, the Riveters fell 3-2, surrendering three 2nd half goals.

The Riveters bounced back nicely less than 48 hours later in a driving rainstorm at Highmark Stadium to defeat Flower City, 2-0.

Heading into this week, the Riveters (2W-1L-1D, 7 points), with a pair of matches at hand on Steel City, hold a one point edge in the standings.

The Riveters have a chance to stay ahead in the standings with matches at Erie (Thursday) and then returning home to face FC Buffalo (Sunday).

It’s still too early to tell how things will really shake out, but this is an important week for both W-League sides will look to keep up with each other, before they finally will face each other next Wednesday night (June 11) at Founders.

In addition, look for more coverage to come this week as we look into why the Riverhounds are still struggling to score goals, as they get back to league play following their second USL Jagermeister Cup loss on Saturday.

Pittsburgh Soccer Schedule (6/3/2025 – 6/8/2025)

Tuesday, June 3

6 p.m. Steel City (Women) vs FC Buffalo at Founders Field (W-League)

Thursday, June 5

6 p.m. Riveters SC vs Erie Sports Center at Penn State Behrend (W-League)

7 p.m. Steel City (Men) vs Cleveland Force – USL League Two

Saturday, June 7

3 p.m. — Steel City FC (Men) vs Erie Sports Center at Founders Field (USL League Two0

3 p.m. — Beadling SC (Women) vs Corktown WFC — at Wixom St. Catherine Academy (Detroit, MI) (WPSL)

6 p.m. — Steel City FC (Women) vs Erie Sports Center at Founders Field (USL W-League)

7 p.m. — Riverhounds SC vs Detroit City FC at Highmark Stadium (USL Championship)

Sunday, June 8

5 p.m. — Riveters SC vs FC Buffalo at Highmark Stadium (W-League)

UPDATED STANDINGS

John Krysinsky

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).