Deprecated: mb_convert_encoding(): Handling HTML entities via mbstring is deprecated; use htmlspecialchars, htmlentities, or mb_encode_numericentity/mb_decode_numericentity instead in /var/www/html/wp-content/plugins/super-cool-ad-inserter/inc/scaip-shortcode-inserter.php on line 37
When the final whistle blew at Highmark Stadium June 27, and the players, fans, and pink smoke flooded the field, it was the Pittsburgh Riveters who stood as the city’s best after knocking off Steel City FC en route to the Great Forest division title and a spot in the USL W League playoffs.
The capacity crowd of 5,761 — the second-largest this season for the Riveters — was treated to a spectacular contest. After Steel City took an early lead on the first goal given up by the Riveters at home this year, a penalty converted by captain Emily Graeca, the hosts battled back in the second half behind an equalizer from Sydney Lindeman and a game-winner in the very final moments of the match scored by Gina Proviano.
The win capped a clean sweep in the Battle of the Bridges this year for the Riveters, who had dispatched Steel City, 3-1, in the first contest between the two local sides at Founders’ Field earlier in June. It also put a bow on what has been a successful inaugural season for the city’s newest women’s team, and extended it for at least another week into the playoffs.
Shortly after the pivotal contest ended, the Riveters received another candle on their celebratory cake — the news that Highmark Stadium has been selected to play host to the Central Conference semifinals next Friday, July 4, and the subsequent final on Sunday, July 6, providing at least one more chance for the home crowd, which averaged 4,792 over the course of the year, to support their team’s championship dreams.
The meaning of that boon isn’t lost on the Riveters staff and players, who have appreciated their stunning crowds despite stormy weather for a majority of their home matches this year.
“The supporters are amazing,” said Head Coach Scott Gibson post-game. “That’s what we said in the locker room before the game. We have a quote that says ‘to be a Riveter, you have to be more than a good player,’ and that means a good person. To know that we’re doing it for something bigger than us, it’s for the community, for the fans, and all the boys and girls who want to fall in love with this team.”
“I look at these little girls when they run onto the field and all I can think about is that if I was their age, I would be running out onto the field too,” said Proviano. “It makes me a little bit emotional when I see … how far we are bringing the game of soccer in the city of Pittsburgh. It’s an honor and a blessing for me to represent the black and yellow in this city.”
“Just to have the whole city around us, it’s surreal,” said Lindeman. “It’s an experience for sure, and I love having them around me. All the support and love, it’s amazing.”
And it wasn’t just the Riveters who benefitted from the growth of women’s soccer in the city this year. Steel City FC saw a sizable crowd of 1,344 when the Riveters came to Founders’ Field and a similarly-sized crowd for their annual Awards Night double-header.
Those supporters traveled as well, bringing a healthy dose of Steel City support to Highmark Stadium. Both clubs additionally saw men’s team players and coaches show up to support their counterparts on Friday night and throughout the year. Riveters coach Scott Gibson expressed praise for the Riveters’ cross-town rivals after the match.
“I have to give a lot of credit to Steel City. I thought they were very well-organized and had done their homework on us. They looked to play the right way and they were certainly a very tough opponent to play against. So a lot of respect to Steel City.”
While Friday’s result didn’t go their way, Steel City put together an impressive 2025 campaign that saw the team suffer just three losses – with two of those coming to the Riveters. After being eliminated in Friday’s loss, they closed out the season in a tough road loss to FC Buffalo on Sunday afternoon.
For the Riveters, the playoffs await. They’ll welcome the three other Central Conference divisional winners — Detroit City FC, Minnesota Aurora, and Kings Hammer FC Cincinnati — to Highmark Stadium next weekend. The Riveters will face off against the playoff-regular Aurora in one semifinal, while Kings Hammer FC Cincinnati will take on Detroit City FC in the other matchup, with both matches taking place during the day on Friday, July 4, ahead of that night’s Riverhounds match.
The respective winners of each match will meet on Sunday, July 6, in the Central Conference final to determine the region’s representative at the USL W League national semifinals the weekend of July 11-13.
This article appears in Jun 25 – Jul 1, 2025.
