Riverhounds 2 to join defending champs Steel City FC in USL League Two’s Great Forest Division

The United Soccer League made it official on Tuesday, announcing divisional alignment for the 2026 USL League Two season — which will now see not one, but two teams from Pittsburgh in the Great Forest Division.

With the announcement earlier this Winter that Riverhounds 2 will be joining the league, the new club will join Steel City FC in the same division.

In addition to having the Riverhounds 2 and Steel City now set to play twice annually in league play for an unprecedented all-Pittsburgh Derby between men’s clubs, earlier on Tuesday, Steel City FC also learned that they will be hosting the Riverhounds first team in the First Round of the US Open Cup.

Steel City return as the defending champions in a very competitive league that includes teams with many current and recent college players alongside some youth academy prospects from many of the clubs.

Steel City FC cap regular season with 3-1 win at Cleveland, now focus on match-up vs Flint City Bucks in USL League Two playoffs

Joning Riverhounds 2 and Steel City FC in the Great Forest Division will include clubs from the ‘Rust Belt’ region that includes Akron City FC, Cleveland Force SC, Erie Sports Center, FC Buffalo, Lorain County Levitain FC.

For its 31st season, League Two will field 158 teams in 20 divisions across four conferences. The 2026 season will see the arrival of 25 expansion clubs and the newly established Ranger Division in the Southern Conference.

As the nation’s leading pre-professional soccer league, League Two provides a critical bridge between elite up-and-coming players and clubs with passionate fanbases in all corners of the country.

Each club will play between 12 and 14 matches against other teams in its division, before a 35-team playoff bracket is filled based on the division and conference standings. More information about the league’s schedule and competition format will be announced in the coming weeks.

March Soccer Madness in the ‘Burgh: Steel City FC to host Riverhounds in US Open Cup First Round match

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).