Pittsburgh Riveters SC

FINAL: Riveters 2, Steel City 1 (USL W League)

by
Colton Coreschi
June 27, 2025

Photo courtesy Ed Thompson

USL W-League – Great Forest Division

LIVE: Pittsburgh Riveters 2, Steel City FC 1

Instant Match Summary

In front of a massive crowd of 5,761 at Highmark Stadium on Friday night, the Riveters staked their claim as Pittsburgh’s best, securing a divisional crown and playoff appearance thanks to a 2-1 victory over crosstown rivals Steel City FC.

The Riveters largely had the better of play in the early portions of the first half. While dominating possession, they generated several decent chances and shots on target, but most were easily handled by Payton O’Malley in the Steel City net.

The visitors weren’t backing down, however, as Steel City was able to generate several dangerous free kicks from either flank early on – at least one of which troubled Pauline Nelles in the Riveters goal.

But while the hosts felt the likelier of the two sides to score first, Steel City would find a major turning point at the half-hour mark. After Riveters midfielder Minah Syam was late to a challenge in the box, the ref pointed to the spot and handed the visitors a penalty chance. Steel City captain and defender Emily Graeca stepped up and sent Nelles the wrong way.

The goal was the first conceded by the Riveters at home in 2025, and Steel City would keep a firm hold on that lead through the halftime whistle. A late chance by Tanum Nelson for the Riveters was ultimately put into the side-netting, leaving the score at 1-0 entering the break – also the first time the Riveters have trailed at half in 2025.

The hosts wouldn’t go quietly, however, and aggressively pressed for the result they needed tonight. Within the first ten minutes of the half, a Riveters effort found the back of the net, but the crowd groaned with disappointment as the assistant’s flag was raised, nullifying the effort.

Steel City FC saved themselves just ten minutes later, as Abi Hugh rocketed a strike from 35 yards out with a target-lock on the upper-right corner. But Payton O’Malley would react with an equally stunning save of the year candidate effort to stretch and barely tip it away.

But despite their best efforts to hold on, Steel City couldn’t keep the scoreboard clean. In a bizarre moment, Sydney Lindeman drove a low cross towards the top of the box from central midfield. But rather than find a teammate, the effort snuck past everyone, O’Malley included, and surprisingly tucked into the back of the net to equalize.

With a draw enough for the Riveters to secure the division and playoffs, it turned into Steel City’s game to chase. As the visitors pushed forward, earning corner after corner, and sending in cross after cross, more and more space was left behind for the Riveters.

In stoppage time, mere moments before the final whistle, it would be Gina Proviano who would do some dancing in the box before slotting an effort beyond O’Malley in net, giving the Riveters the lead for the first and final time on the evening. With their 2-1 lead secure, the ensuing kickoff was all that was left before the final whistle blew and the celebrations began.

Players and fans and pink smoke flooded the field to celebrate the Riveters first divisional title, playoff appearance, rivalry sweep, and a stunning win to cap an equally fantastic inaugural season. They’ll learn their opponents for the conference playoffs, as well as the host, in the upcoming week.

For Steel City, they’ll close out their season Sunday against FC Buffalo, but they’ll do so with solely pride on the line as the loss simultaneously eliminates them from playoff contention. Nonetheless, it was an impressive season for both Pittsburgh sides, who remained in top-of-the-table contention for every bit of the year.

Match Day Updates

Follow along with live match updates here

FULLTIME: Riveters 2-1 Steel City A comeback effort from the Riveters secures a rivalry sweep in 2025, the divisional crown, and a USL W League playoff spot! An amazing cap on a stunning inaugural season. What a moment for women’s soccer in Pittsburgh!

90′ – AND THERE’S THE DAGGER! A delightful bit of control and finish in the box as Gina Proviano makes it 2-1 for the Riveters! And the final whistle goes immediately after the ensuing kickoff!

90′ – A deflection on a rocket of a shot and it’ll be a Riveters corner again here. Taken deep and Sharpless was there at the back post, but a tough shot goes wide.

89′ – Sub for the Riveters: Bulava on for Wells

86′ – Late corner here for the Riveters, who would absolutely love another goal to seal this one away and put them at ease. But it’s cleared away and a tenuous foul is whistled on the recovery effort.

84′ – Steel City sub here: Ross for Dorfman.

82′ – Another pair of Riveters subs as they desperately try to hold onto the result they need. On come Friday and Bane to replace Nelson and Tylenda.

80′ – Another chance for Steel City in the box, blocked by a pair of Riveters defenders for a corner! They’re really pushing for the goal they need here – anything other than a win isn’t enough.

79′ – Steel City corner now as they continue to chase. Taken short and cleared away for the moment. An ensuing shot after the clearance goes well wide. Ten to play!

70′ – GOAL, RIVETERS!!! Sydney Lindeman attempts to cross a ball into the box, but somehow it slips past everyone and into the back of the net! A bizarre goal, but the Riveters will gladly take the equalizer!

64′ – WOW! A stunning save from O’Malley on an incredible strike on-target from Abi Hugh from long distance! She is on fire in goal right now!

62′ – Sabrina Bryan with another effort on-target, but saved. A great curling effort from the left wing forcing a diving deflection from O’Malley in net.

59′ – A pair of Steel City subs as they look to defend their lead: On are Ulizzi and Reilly to replace Cooper and Salisbury

54′ – So close. The Riveters find the back of the net, but it’s deemed offsides as the onrushing GK left just one defender behind her. Steel City narrowly keeps their advantage!

46′ – Second half getting underway. A pair of subs for the Riveters: On are Salopek and Sharpless. Off go Lindeman and Syam

HALFTIME: Riveters 0-1 Steel City FC. A series of corners late in the half for Steel City, the visitors aiming to extend their lead here with the latest from Coco Dorfman. But the Riveters handle it and the halftime whistle goes.

42′ – A chance for the Riveters as a slick pass finds Tanum Nelson in the box, but her shot from a tough angle rattles the side netting. The hosts still chase.

A look at the opening goal from Emily Graeca, courtesy of @rachaelkpalmer.bsky.social!A huge turning point in this game, largely dominated by the Riveters to this point.#ForTheW

— CJ Coreschi (@cjcoreschi.bsky.social) 2025-06-27T23:42:46.796Z

31′ – GOAL! STEEL CITY FC! Emily Graeca takes a calm penalty and sends Pauline Nelles the wrong way entirely. The visitors lead here in the return leg, 1-0! It’s the first home goal conceded by the Riveters this year.

30′ – PENALTY! Steel City earns the spot kick after Minah Syam brings down the runner in the box. Emily Graeca to take.

26′ – Another chance inside the box for the Riveters, again Sabrina Bryan. This time it’s blocked out for a corner. Ultimately cleared to safety after a few recycled efforts.

23′ – Free kick from the left wing, just outside the box, for the Riveters. Clipped to the back post by Olivia Damico, where it’s brought down in the box, but quickly scooped up by O’Malley.

21′ – A chance for the Riveters as a brilliant ball down the left wing finds Sabrina Bryan. She cuts inside well, but her right-footed shot is slightly mishit and kept within range of O’Malley in net for the save.

16′ – Another Steel City FC free kick, from the right wing this time. Taken by Coco Dorfman and put in an awkward spot for Pauline Nelles, who has to punch it away for a corner. Her defense picks her up though, and clears the ensuing effort.

10′ – Riveters corner taken and cleared away, but just for another corner as the pressure continues. Taken towards the far post and bobbled by Steel City’s Payton O’Malley in net, but luckily put out for a goal kick.

8′ – A free kick from the left wing for Steel City FC, taken into the box by Lucy Ream and it dangerously bounces all the way through – nobody able to get a re-direction on it, but a knock on the door from the visitors!

5′ – Most possession the Riveters way early, but trouble stringing things together into the attacking third. Lots of long efforts back and forth.

1′ – And we are off! Riveters in their red and white third kits with Steel City in their typical blues. Everything on the line for both these teams!

0′ – Teams are out on the field, Riveters in their white and red-centric third kits with Steel City in their usual blues. Moments away from kickoff in a massive Battle of the Bridges with huge playoff implications!

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