Pulse of Pittsburgh Soccer: A City of Soccer Champions

Pittsburgh soccer had itself quite a day on Saturday.

The Pittsburgh Riverhounds won the USL Championship Final.  Yes — that’s right — this actually happened.

Normally, once we get past mid-November, Pittsburgh soccer news has primarily been reserved for college soccer and the NCAA tournament, since the rise of Pitt men’s and women’s soccer teams.

In addition, we’ll be following up on Riverhounds remarkable Championship run and all immediate club news that will follow.  The club will have a lot of business to attend to as reports indicate that player exit meeting were already starting on Monday along with the team holding executive meeting.

Among orders of business they must address include:

• What the team’s management will look like for the 2026 season, particularly what will happen with Head Coach Bob Lilley
• What current player contract options will they pick up
• Will there be a celebration for the team’s Championship and more.

But there was a lot more going on this past weekend that provided a lot more, extra sweet icing on the Pittsburgh Soccer Championship cake…

• Sarah Schupansky Caps Storybook Rookie Campaign with NWSL Title…   Former North Allegheny and Pitt standout Sarah Schupansky started and played the full 90 minutes on Saturday night — then lifted the NWSL trophy, capping a storybook rookie campaign, as 8-seeded Gotham FC completed a remarkable run of its own through the playoffs, defeating Washington, 1-0.  On Monday, Schupansky and her teammates will be honored with a ticker-tape parade in New York City!

North Allegheny, Pitt alum Sarah Schupansky caps storybook rookie campaign with NWSL title

• USL League Two’s Great Forest Division winners, Steel City FC men’s team earned its second berth in the 2026 US Open Cup.

Back in the Big Dance: Steel City FC storms back to defeat Croatia Cleveland to earn US Open Cup berth

• The new Pittsburgh indoor pro soccer team, Bridge City FC Make Thrilling Debut, coming through with a 9-8 win at Summit City United, in Fort Wayne, IN, on Saturday night.

Bridge City FC ‘feel a real sense of momentum’ as they set to kick off inaugural season

Although there won’t be any matches on the Pittsburgh soccer calendar (at least for a few weeks when Bridge City FC returns to action with its home debut on December 13), we will be back later this week with a special, Thanksgiving edition of the Pulse.

ICYMI:  PSN Coverage of Riverhounds USL Championship Final Victory  

With nerves of steel, the Riverhounds lifted the Cup and tasted a victory that was 26 years in the making by defeating FC Tulsa, 3-2, on Saturday, at ONEOK Field.

John Trachina was PSN’s reporter on site, not only providing a first-rate match report with reaction from players, both coaches, but his immediate post-match interviews were also posted to Pittsburgh Soccer Now‘s social media platforms.

In addition, this match got special treatment with a Championship Final edition of Takeaways and Ratings, as not only was this a remarkable accomplishment for a team that remained ‘cool headed’ and resilient throughout the past month and a half, but it was a result 26 years in the making.

Takeaways and Ratings: ‘Cool Headed’ Riverhounds ride unprecedented defensive postseason masterclass to first-ever league title

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).