Pulse of Pittsburgh Soccer: The World Cup has finally arrived — our crew makes predictions plus busy weekend in local footy

For years, it felt like a distant date circled in ink on a calendar. Now, the waiting is officially over. The FIFA World Cup has finally arrived on North American soil.

Let’s be real: Pittsburgh’s direct impact on the global tournament is minimal, and that is perfectly okay. We aren’t hosting matches on the river, and we aren’t a primary training hub. But look at where we are compared to the summer of 1994. Three-plus decades ago, domestic soccer league representation on the grandest stage was virtually non-existent before Major League Soccer even kicked its first ball. Soccer in Western Pennsylvania was a niche community trying to find its footing.

Today, the entire landscape has completely matured.

The United States now boasts deeply rooted, highly professionalized domestic pyramids that are actively placing active players into World Cup rosters—including a historic four active USL Championship players suiting up for their nations this month. We have a thriving professional club, pre-professional men’s and women’s teams drawing passionate crowds, a premier referee development pipeline, and a soccer community that is deeply connected to the global game.

To celebrate kickoff, we’ve gathered our trusted PSN contributors to drop their official, straightforward predictions for the tournament ahead, followed by a massive guide to a packed weekend of local action right here in the 412.

The PSN Contributor Prediction Grid

We asked our team of contributors to tackle four narrative-driven questions for the month ahead. Here is how the board shakes out:

1. The USMNT Ceiling

• John Krysinsky: “I believe that they will find a way to the Quarterfinal Round (yeah, overly optimistic) like they did in 2002. They will build confidence through a successful group stage where I really believe they can pick up 6 to 7 points.”

• Mark Goodman: “They win their first knockout game in the Round of 32 and lose in the Round of 16, and we will all be heartbroken.”

• Rachael Palmer: “The USMNT goes out in the first round of the knockouts.”

• Ed Thompson: “US make Round of 16 and that’s it.”

• Matt Popchock: “The U.S. will get out of the group stage. Perhaps, with the right matchup, they could accident their way into the quarterfinals, but anything beyond the Round of 16 feels like a pipe dream until this new coach proves otherwise.”

• Kevin Hutchinson: “USMNT goes to the Round of 8 (I’m crazy optimistic).”

2. The Tournament ‘Chaos Team’

• John Krysinsky: “Ivory Coast and Norway!!”

• Mark Goodman: “Ivory Coast will get out of the group and maybe even upset Germany, and then surprise their Round of 32 opponent. Maybe they even make a run to the quarterfinals?”

• Rachael Palmer: “The chaos team is going to be Panama. I like their chances in that group because Croatia and Ghana are extremely old. (Also watch out for Turkey to win their group).”

• Matt Popchock: “Croatia.”

• Kevin Hutchinson: “The chaos team of the tournament will be Mexico.”

3. Historic First-Timer Goal

• John Krysinsky: “Likely Jordan vs. Austria scores first.”

• Mark Goodman: “Uzbekistan.”

• Rachael Palmer: “Frick it, Concacaf or go home. Curaçao is going to score first of the newbies.”

• Ed Thompson: “Cape Verde scores first.”

• Matt Popchock: “Uzbekistan.”

• Kevin Hutchinson: “First scorer of all the new teams is Jordan.”

4. Lifting the Trophy on July 19

• John Krysinsky: “France. They have so much talent and depth. We got the Statue of Liberty from them, and hopefully my Knicks can keep Wemby from tasting an NBA title for another year or two—but Les Bleus are gonna leave MetLife Stadium hoisting their second World Cup trophy in three cycles.”
• Mark Goodman: “France. It’s a boring answer but really they are spectacular, and the other big teams—Argentina, Germany, Spain, England, Brazil—all seem like they each have a fatal flaw this cycle. France doesn’t.”
• Rachael Palmer: “Spain. No question. Lamine Yamal is one of the best in the world. But please, anybody but Argentina or Portugal… for obvious reasons.”
• Ed Thompson: “Spain vs. Argentina in the final. Spain wins.”
• Matt Popchock: “France over Brazil.”
• Kevin Hutchinson: “Spain wins it all.”

The Pittsburgh Touchline: World Cup Connections

1. Kathryn Nesbitt Commands the Line

Our biggest direct connection to the tournament comes from the officiating crew. Kathryn Nesbitt has been appointed by FIFA as an assistant referee for the tournament. Long before she made history on the 2022 World Cup Final crew, Nesbitt was running lines on local youth and amateur pitches right here in Western Pennsylvania while pursuing her graduate studies at the University of Pittsburgh. Her journey through the PA West Soccer referee program to the absolute pinnacle of global officiating is a massive point of pride for our local refereeing community.

2. Highmark Proving Grounds

You don’t have to look far to see the elite pipeline local fans get to witness every weekend at Station Square. Marquee international stars—like USMNT midfield anchor Tyler Adams, who battled the Riverhounds in 2015 and 2016 while coming up with New York Red Bulls II—once cut their professional teeth navigating the physical demands of playing against the Hounds right here in Pittsburgh. Knowing that the pathway from a rainy, mid-week USL Championship match at Highmark Stadium can lead directly to leading the red, white, and blue onto the world stage underscores just how close the global game is to our front door.

3. The On-Site Dispatch: Mike DeCourcy

A quick programming note for our audience: Pittsburgh Soccer Now contributor and legendary sporting journalist Mike DeCourcy is credentialed and on-site covering the opening matches of the tournament. Throughout the event, DeCourcy will be dropping regular dispatches and press-box diaries directly onto the Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast, giving us a direct pipeline to the atmosphere and logistics of the world’s biggest tournament.

A Busy Weekend of Local Action

While the eyes of the world are on the World Cup, the real heartbeat of the game is happening right here in Pittsburgh this weekend with a massive slate of local matches:

Friday: Riveters SC vs. Erie Sports Center & USMNT Watch Party

The action kicks off Friday night at Highmark Stadium as the Pittsburgh Riveters SC host the Erie Sports Center. But the final whistle is just the beginning. Fans are encouraged to stay at the stadium and head down onto the turf with blankets for a special U.S. Men’s National Team Watch Party on the giant stadium screen as the USMNT takes on Paraguay at 9:00 p.m.

Saturday: Riverhounds SC vs. Indy Eleven & The Return of Eric Dick

On Saturday night, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC return to Highmark Stadium for a crucial USL Championship Eastern Conference clash against Indy Eleven. Beyond the massive implications for the standings, the match brings a major storyline: the return of goalkeeper Eric Dick to Pittsburgh. Dick, who was a massive fan favorite during his stint in the 412, brings an extra layer of familiarity and high stakes to a pivotal mid-week bounce-back opportunity for Rob Vincent’s squad.

Saturday: Steel City FC Pulls Double Duty

Not to be outdone, Steel City FC will have both their men’s and women’s squads in action on Saturday. Fresh off intense mid-week derby battles, both teams will look to protect their standing in their respective pre-professional leagues, making Saturday an absolute feast for local supporters.

2. Highmark Proving Grounds

You don’t have to look far to see the elite pipeline local fans get to witness every weekend at Station Square. Marquee international stars—like USMNT midfield anchor Tyler Adams, who battled the Riverhounds while coming up with New York Red Bulls II—once cut their professional teeth navigating the physical demands of playing against the Hounds right here in Pittsburgh.

Knowing that the pathway from a rainy, mid-week USL Championship match at Highmark Stadium can lead directly to leading the red, white, and blue onto the world stage underscores just how close the global game is to our front door.

3. The On-Site Dispatch: Mike DeCourcy

A quick programming note for our audience: Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast contributor and legendary sporting journalist Mike DeCourcy is credentialed and on-site covering the opening matches of the tournament.

Throughout the event, DeCourcy will be dropping regular dispatches and press-box diaries directly onto the Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast, giving us a direct pipeline to the atmosphere and logistics of the world’s biggest tournament.

Mike joined John Krysinsky for an extensive preview on USMNT and the World Cup.  Plus, check out some of his recent coverage this week leading up to the USMNT opener on Friday.

Sounding Off on Soccer Podcast: Breaking down biggest World Cup talking points for USMNT with The Sporting News’ Mike DeCourcy

One Generation Away: Why USMNT Has Note Established Itself as a World Power