Pulse of Pittsburgh Soccer: Riveters have edge in W League division race, but Steel City have two more games to play

Photo courtesy Randy Warner / Steel City FC

There’s little time for rest for some teams, especially Steel City FC women and Riveters SC, as both teams will be playing its third match in a little more than a week this coming weekend following Wednesday’s first-ever showdown between the clubs played before an overflow crowd at Founders Field, which went in favor of Riveters SC.

Heading into the final stretch of the short USL W League regular season there’s still work to be done.

The Riveters SC (4W-1L-2D, 14 points) hold the edge in the race to capture first place and an automatic playoff bid.  The Riveters have just three matches remaining, while Steel City FC (2W-1L-2D, 8 points), following its first loss of the season, can still make up ground as they have five matches remaining.

However, the schedule doesn’t get any easier for Steel City, as they’ll hit the road for the nex few matches, having to face Flower City 1872 on Saturday, then they travel to Cleveland on Wednesday, then host Flower City at Founders Field the following Saturday (June 21).

“We have a much stronger squad now, and we’ll have to use our depth,” Tom Ovenden, Steel City FC, Head Coach said following the 3-1 loss to Riveters on Wednesday.

“Everyone’s going to have to do their part as we’re getting down to the business end of the season.  It’s good for the game. It’s good for Pittsburgh, having us one-two, I’m really excited. We like playing on turf as well, so our game is suited for some of these away games as well.”

If Steel City can bag and maximize points, they can make this a race to the end, setting up a very meaningful second encounter at Highmark Stadium on June 27.  However, Steel City cannot afford many slips in their next three matches, or they’ll be in danger of falling further behind in the race.

In addition, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds look to keep the momentum going, having won two consecutive league matches, as they head to face Indy Eleven on the road on Saturday night.  Look for a new Riverhounds Notebook to post on Friday, as the club

The one club that will have some rest and time to recharge their batteries, are Steel City FC men, who don’t play again until Thursday, June 19, when they’re scheduled to pay a return visit to the one place where they dropped all the points this season, Toledo.

Beadling SC will be looking for its first win of their WPSL campaign, but it won’t be easy, as they have to travel to face first place Columbus Eagles on Friday, then second place Dayton on Sunday.

With both Steel City women and Riverhounds on the road this weekend, look for match recaps and coverage to follow on Saturday, plus we’ll have on-site coverage of Riveters vs Erie Sports Center on Sunday evening.

Pittsburgh Soccer Schedule (6/13 – 6/28)

Friday, June 13

4 p.m. — Beadling SC at Columbus (WPSL)

Saturday, June 14 

6 p.m. — Steel City FC (women) at Flower City 1872 (USL W League)

7 p.m. — Riverhounds SC at Indy Eleven (USL Championship)

Sunday, June 15

4 p.m. — Beadling SC vs Dayton (WPSL)

6 p.m. — Riveters SC vs Erie Sports Center (USL W League)

Wednesday, June 18

7 p.m. — Steel City FC (women) at Cleveland (USL W League)

Thursday, June 19

7:30 p.m. — Steel City FC (men) at Toledo Villa (USL League Two)

Saturday, June 21

1 p.m. — Beadling SC at Toledo (WPSL)

6 p.m. — Riveters SC at FC Buffalo (USL W League)

7 p.m. — Riverhounds SC vs Tampa Bay Rowdies (USL Championship)

Wednesday, June 25

7 p.m.  — Steel City FC (men) at FC Buffalo (USL League Two)

Friday, June 27

7 p.m. — Riveters SC vs Steel City FC (USL W League)

Saturday, June 28

7 p.m. — Riverhounds SC vs Westchester (USL Jagermeister Cup)

Sunday, June 29

4 p.m. — Beadling SC vs Toledo (WPSL)