The Riverhounds are gearing up for a historic showdown as they prepare to face FC Tulsa in the USL Championship Final this Saturday, November 22, at ONEOK Field in Tulsa, Oklahoma. With a kickoff set for noon (11 a.m. CT), the match represents a monumental occasion for Pittsburgh’s professional soccer team, marking the 772nd competitive match in the franchise’s storied 26-year history.
Having just celebrated a thrilling Eastern Conference Final victory over Rhode Island FC, secured through a nail-biting penalty shootout, the Riverhounds enter the championship with momentum and confidence. They’ve maintained an impressive 3-0-3 record in their last six matches under the leadership of acting head coach Rob Vincent. On the other side, FC Tulsa is equally formidable, boasting a four-match winning streak that culminated in a decisive 3-0 victory over New Mexico United in the Western Conference Final.
This encounter will be the first of the year between the two teams, as the Riverhounds did not face Tulsa during the regular season. Both squads have exhibited remarkable defensive strength throughout the playoffs, each not conceding a single goal over their three preceding matches. If either team manages to clinch the title without allowing a goal throughout their playoff run, they would become the first in USL Championship history to do so.
The Riverhounds have impressively gone 512 minutes without conceding a goal, highlighted by goalkeeper Eric Dick’s record-breaking achievement of five consecutive clean sheets, bringing his season total to 15. Tulsa matches this intensity at home, having kept their opponents scoreless for 603 minutes, with both Tyler Deric and Johan Peñaranda sharing duties in goal.
As the top seed in the Western Conference, Tulsa has enjoyed the advantage of home field throughout their playoff campaign. Meanwhile, the Riverhounds have showcased their resilience, pushing through their matches without the need for extra time or penalties in earlier rounds, although it has proven to be a testing route thus far.
With key players like Robbie Mertz—the hero of the Eastern Conference Final—and a full squad ready to step onto the pitch, the Hounds are poised to chase their biggest trophy yet. Looking for more accolades to add to their recent achievements, including the 2023 Players’ Shield and the Eastern Conference Champions trophy, the Riverhounds aim to bring home the USL Championship title.
Fans tuning in from afar can catch the action on CBS and KDKA locally, with additional streaming options available through Paramount+. The match will also have live updates via social media and various radio stations.
As anticipation builds for this monumental event, the outcome of the match will certainly be pivotal not only for the Riverhounds but also for the history of professional sports in Pittsburgh, as the city seeks its first championship title in any pro sport since the Penguins last celebrated with the Stanley Cup in 2017. The community is buzzing with hope and excitement, ready to rally behind their team as they strive for glory on this grand stage.