Sean Suber of the Riverhounds pumps up the crowd after drawing a foul during the USL Eastern Conference Final on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson 
Robbie Mertz dribbles by defenders before scoring the game-winning goal. Credit: Mars Johnson 
Robbie Mertz celebrates after scoring in the 62nd minute of the Eastern Conference Final on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson 
Riverhounds fans smoke out the fan section before the USL Eastern Conference Final on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson 
Robbie Mertz hurdles over a Rhode Island defender during the Eastern Conference Finals. Credit: Mars Johnson 
Rhode Island fans duel with Riverhounds fans across the way. Credit: Mars Johnson 
Hounds warm up for the Eastern Conference Finals. Credit: Mars Johnson 
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds square off against Rhode Island FC in the Eastern Conference Finals on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson 
Allie Hallwirth and her daughter, Cheyenne, attend the Riverhounds Eastern Conference Final on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson 
A spider makes its web near section 108 of Highmark Stadium. Credit: Mars Johnson 
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds square off against Rhode Island FC in the Eastern Conference Finals on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson 
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds square off against Rhode Island FC in the Eastern Conference Finals on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson 
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds square off against Rhode Island FC in the Eastern Conference Finals on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson 
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds square off against Rhode Island FC in the Eastern Conference Finals on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson 
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds square off against Rhode Island FC in the Eastern Conference Finals on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson 
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds square off against Rhode Island FC in the Eastern Conference Finals on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson 
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds square off against Rhode Island FC in the Eastern Conference Finals on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson 
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds square off against Rhode Island FC in the Eastern Conference Finals on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson 
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds square off against Rhode Island FC in the Eastern Conference Finals on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson 
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds square off against Rhode Island FC in the Eastern Conference Finals on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson 
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds square off against Rhode Island FC in the Eastern Conference Finals on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson 
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds square off against Rhode Island FC in the Eastern Conference Finals on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson 
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds square off against Rhode Island FC in the Eastern Conference Finals on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson 
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds square off against Rhode Island FC in the Eastern Conference Finals on Nov. 15, 2025. Credit: Mars Johnson
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds squared off against Rhode Island FC on Saturday, looking for their first ever Eastern Conference title. Robbie Mertz fielded a ball from Hounds’ Captain Danny Griffin in the 62nd minute of the game. With a Highmark Stadium record of 6,735 in attendance, Mertz dashed past Rhode Island defenders and scored the game-winning goal, catapulting the Riverhounds into the USL Final game next Saturday. Pittsburgh will face FC Tulsa on the road for the USL Championship Final next Saturday.
