The Pittsburgh Riveters (3-1-2) and Steel City FC (2-0-2) are speeding towards a division-defining collision this week, with both teams sitting near the top of the USL W League’s Great Forest division ahead of their historic first meeting at Founders Field on Wed., June 11.
While the Riveters have a few games in hand as we near mid-season, both teams have seen positive results to kick off their inaugural campaigns. But with the divisional field still tightly packed, Wednesday’s local derby match holds high stakes for each.
The Riveters opened their 2025 campaign with a draw at Highmark Stadium. While a disappointing result on the field, it was more than successful in the stands — featuring a sellout crowd of 6,077 that stands as the largest soccer crowd in the city this year, regardless of gender.
They followed up that historic opener with two wins and one loss, including a 2-0 home win on a very rainy day against Flower City that nonetheless saw an impressive crowd of 4,063 in attendance. They closed out the opening portion of the campaign with points in their two most recent matches — a 1-1 draw against Erie, followed by a 3-0 win at home against FC Buffalo.
Steel City, by comparison, has played just four games this year, with six remaining including Wednesday’s showdown. They opened up the year with back-to-back wins away at Erie Sports Center and then at home against Cleveland Force — a side the Riveters failed to put away in their two chances.
Wednesday’s hosts then battled to a tough draw at home against FC Buffalo before returning home to secure a 2-2 draw against Erie.
While both the Riveters and Steel City can be pleased with their results this season so far, it all comes to a head on Wednesday night at Founders Field. With both teams featuring high-powered attacks and strong playoff ambitions, the stakes on the field are as potent as the bragging rights up for grabs for the winner.
For fans, it’ll be a sporting event unique in this city’s long history. Rarely do other sports feature two clubs in the same city, within the same division, that are true rivals. Even on the men’s soccer side, the Riverhounds have never had such an opponent.
On Wednesday, fans in Pittsburgh get to experience for the first time one of the most compelling moments in any sport — a local derby. Whether the Riveters or Steel City come out on top and place a firm grip on the divisional title and playoff chase, it’ll be a sight worth seeing.
Riveters Results
5/16 – Draw, 0-0, vs. Cleveland Force
5/24 – Win, 3-2, at Flower City
5/28 – Loss, 2-3, at Cleveland Force
5/30 – Win, 2-0, vs. Flower City
6/5 – Draw, 1-1, at Erie Sports Center
6/8 – Win, 3-0, vs. FC Buffalo
Steel City FC Results
5/24 – Win, 3-0, at Erie Sports Center
5/31 – Win, 2-1, vs. Cleveland Force
6/3 – Draw, 2-2, vs. FC Buffalo
6/7 – Draw, 2-2, vs. Erie Sports Center
This article appears in Jun 4-10, 2025.
