Sat Nov 22 17:00:00 UTC 2025: ## Riverhounds Embark on Historic Championship Quest, Pittsburgh Sends Team Off with Rousing Support

Pittsburgh, PA – The city of Pittsburgh rallied behind its Riverhounds SC on Thursday, sending the team off with a wave of enthusiasm as they prepared to face FC Tulsa in the USL Championship Final on Saturday. The atmosphere was electric as fans, young and old, gathered to show their support for the team on the cusp of making history.

Drumbeats reverberated through the air as chants of “Hounds!” filled the streets. For many, this championship run feels like a significant moment for Pittsburgh sports, echoing the excitement of the 2017 Penguins Stanley Cup victory. “This is the biggest moment in their history. And for the city of Pittsburgh and its sports teams, the biggest moment probably since the Stanley Cup run in 2017,” declared Riverhounds fan Matthew Baldwin, who brought his 6-month-old son to the send-off.

Players reciprocated the love, greeting fans before heading to Tulsa. Pittsburgh native Robbie Mertz, who scored the winning goal in the conference championship, expressed confidence, stating, “I think we feel confident in what we’ve been doing, so we are ready to lay it all on the line.”

Forward Augi Williams echoed Mertz’s sentiment, expressing gratitude for the overwhelming support. “I’m excited just to see this,” Williams said. “It’s a boost for us going in there, making us feel good that we have the Steel Army, we have the support behind us, so I’m happy to see this and we’re excited to go play what we love.”

The “Steel Army,” the Riverhounds’ dedicated fan group, is mobilizing in force. Caz Didrick, a member of the group, is among those traveling to Oklahoma to cheer on the team. He will be joining the Steel Army bus, leaving Friday afternoon and arriving in Tulsa Saturday morning, ready to witness history in the making.

The USL Championship Final between the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and FC Tulsa kicks off Saturday, promising a thrilling showdown as Pittsburgh dreams of bringing home the title.

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