Day: November 23, 2025

Striker Augustine Williams and Pittsburgh Riverhounds win USL title

Striker Augustine Williams and Pittsburgh Riverhounds win USL title

Sierra Leone International Augie Williams and the Pittsburgh Riverhounds won the USL Championship, their first league title in 26 years, by defeating FC Tulsa 5-3 in a penalty shootout after a 0-0 draw at ONEOK Field.

Goalkeeper Eric Dick earned the Most Valuable Player award for making five saves during the match, including a critical stop against Tulsa’s Stefan Lukic in the shootout. This was his 16th shutout of the season, a team record.

Bertin Jacquesson, Robbie Mertz, Chase Boone, Sean Suber, and Beto Ydrach successfully converted their penalty kicks.

The Riverhounds made history by winning the title without conceding a goal in the playoffs, ending the year with 632 minutes of scoreless play.

The match began with plenty of action. Luke Biasi almost scored with a shot that hit the crossbar. Charles Ahl set up Augie Williams, who was denied by Tulsa’s Tyler Deric.

Tulsa had several chances, outshooting the Riverhounds 17-6. Dick made a crucial save against Kalil ElMedkhar in the 40th minute. Williams had one last chance before halftime but missed the target.

After the recess, Tulsa pressed hard in the second half, nearly scoring after a defensive mistake, but Griffin saved the day. A dangerous cross led to more scrambles, but Dick secured the ball.

Extra Time and Penalties

In extra time, neither team could find a breakthrough. During the shootout, after the Riverhounds went ahead 2-1, Lukic’s shot was saved by Dick. Ydrach then ended it with a shot down the middle as Deric dove to the side.

Hounds top the league, winning USL Championship Final
Hounds top the league, winning USL Championship Final
Sierra Leone's Daniel Kanu on target in Walsall win over Harrogate

Sierra Leone’s Daniel Kanu on target in Walsall win over Harrogate

Sierra Leone International Daniel Kanu was on target Walsall bounced back to form in League Two with a convincing victory over struggling Harrogate.

Goals from Daniel Kanu and Priestley Farquharson were enough as this win marked a strong response after last week’s defeat to Colchester and extended Harrogate’s streak to four consecutive home league wins.

In the early stages of the match, Harrogate’s goalkeeper James Belshaw was in fine form, making brilliant saves to thwart efforts from Ryan Finnigan and Charlie Lakin.

Defender Anthony O’Connor also came to his team’s rescue, clearing another shot from Lakin off the line. Eventually, Walsall broke the deadlock in the 43rd minute. Jamille Matt’s clever lay-off allowed Kanu to skillfully evade O’Connor’s challenge, leaving Warren Burrell on the ground before calmly rolling the ball into the bottom-right corner past Belshaw from 10 yards out.

As the second half began, Shawn McCoulsky managed to deliver Harrogate’s only shot on target, but Walsall keeper Myles Roberts was up to the task.

Farquharson sealed the victory in the 87th minute, rising high in the six-yard box to connect with Finnigan’s left-wing corner, powering in a decisive header that put the match beyond doubt.