Sunday Preview: Tartan Devils FC and Plum cap GPSL’s Championship Sunday at FNB Stadium in Premier Division final

Sunday afternoon at FNB Stadium, local amateur soccer reaches its peak as Tartan Devils FC and Plum face off for the Greater Pittsburgh Soccer League (GPSL) Premier Division (Over-19) Championship at 3:00 p.m. — a match that caps GPSL’s Championship Sunday.

Representing the highest level of Men’s Open amateur soccer under PA West, the GPSL Premier Division features full 90-minute FIFA rules with unlimited substitutions, serving as a high-intensity summer proving ground for many former high school, collegiate stars and professional standouts alike.

There will also be finals played for the Championship Division (1 p.m. –Lions Lebo vs Not Pick Up Soccer), Open Miners Division (11 a.m. — Gheny FC vs Dukes of Hazard) and Open (West Run Rovers vs Victory FC).

Rubber Match with History on the Line

Sunday’s final marks the culmination of a tightly contested regular season. TDFC and Plum split their head-to-head meetings, making this championship clash the definitive rubber match of 2026.

While both clubs have been mainstays at the top of the GPSL standings for years, Sunday marks their first meeting in a league final since 2015.

• Tartan Devils FC: After reclaiming superiority in the top division last year with a four-goal second-half explosion to defeat Arsenal 4–0 in the final, TDFC enters looking to defend its crown. The Tartan Devils have captured an astonishing 9 of the last 11 GPSL Premier titles.

• Plum: Looking to break through against the reigning champions, Plum is searching for its first GPSL Premier Division championship since 2009.

How They Got Here

Both clubs earned their spots in the final with identical 3–1 victories in the semifinals. Head coach Andy Kalas and Tartan Devils FC dispatched Jugadores FC 3–1, while head coach Greg Pittman led Plum to a 3–1 victory over Steel City FC.

Sunday’s final serves as the ultimate tiebreaker following two tightly contested regular-season battles where each side protected home turf:

• June: Plum dealt TDFC its only loss of the entire campaign in a 4–2 victory on home soil.

• July: Tartan Devils FC bounced back in the rematch, securing a gritty 1–0 shutout victory over Plum to split the season series.

With the regular-season series deadlocked, Sunday marks their first meeting in a GPSL final since 2015. TDFC enters looking to defend its crown after winning 9 of the last 11 GPSL Premier titles, while Plum is searching for its first championship since 2009.

Youthful Plum Roster Loaded with Local Pipeline Talent

After a group of veterans transitioned to the Over-30 division this summer, Plum Head Coach Greg Pittman welcomed a younger, high-energy roster composed almost entirely of local products. All but two players on Plum’s championship roster are WPIAL alumni, with heavy concentrations from recent Plum and Franklin Regional powerhouse programs alongside a strong Grove City and Penn State Behrend collegiate footprint.

Plum Championship Roster & Background:

• Plum High School Pipeline: Garrett Chandler (Slippery Rock), Luke Gildea (Slippery Rock), Luke Kolankowski (Slippery Rock), Tyler Kolankowski, Colin McKinley (Penn State Behrend), Benjamin Pittman (Pitt Greensburg), Lucas Pittman (Pitt Greensburg), and Tristen Ralph (Pitt Johnstown).

• Franklin Regional Core: Blake Cooper (Penn State Behrend), Zach Lorenz (Sacred Heart), and the Kimmich trio—Luke, Matt, and Jake Kimmich (all Grove City).

• WPIAL & Regional Standouts: Sean Abraham (Riverview / Penn State Behrend), Nick Braun (Deer Lakes / Pitt Greensburg), Theo Campbell (Robinson Twp / Grove City), Nate Coleman (Kiski / Penn State Behrend), Ryan Higgs (Upper St. Clair / Grove City), Jarrod McDowell (Central Catholic / John Carroll), Ryan Merrick (Eden Christian / Grove City), and Vincent Padalino (Cathedral Prep / Pitt Greensburg).

• Academy / Prep Additions: Noah Gray (The Christian Academy / Grove City).

Tartan Devils FC Feature Star-Studded Veteran Roster

Tartan Devils FC counter Plum’s youth movement with one of the most experienced and decorated squads in regional soccer history.

TDFC’s roster boasts deep collegiate alumni, WPIAL legends, and former professional stars—including former Pittsburgh Riverhounds figures and recent Riverhounds Hall of Fame inductee Kevin Kerr.

Alongside Kerr, TDFC features former professional and high-level collegiate talent including Robby Dambrot, Nate Dragisich, Johnathan Dragisich, Neil Shaffer, Nick Kolarac, Jack Shearer, Travis MacKenzie, Keane McIvor, Winter Fondi, Andy Kalas, Greg Liebenguth, Anthony Rowan, Gabe Norris, Sam Norris, Austin Rocke, Martin Pletz, Cameron Territo, Manny Juarez, Christian Lewandowski, Reuben Jolo, Ramsey Hartley, Matt Bischoff, Zachary Bowers, and Owen Pearce.

GPSL Championship Sunday Schedule

9 a.m. — West Run Rovers vs Victory FC (Open Division)

11 a.m. — Gheny FC vs Dukes of Hazard (Open Miners Division)

1 p.m. — Lions Lebo vs Not Pick Up Soccer (Championship Division)

3 p.m. — Plum vs Tartan Devils FC (Premier Division)

Pittsburgh Soccer Now’s Kevin Hutchinson will be on-site at F.N.B. Stadium to provide coverage of the GPSL Premier Division championship 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).