For the first time in 26 years, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds will compete in a league final after a 1-0 win over Rhode Island FC in the USL Championship Eastern Conference Final. They will face FC Tulsa in the USL Championship Final on Saturday, Nov. 22, at noon on CBS.
Robbie Mertz scored the decisive goal just 10 minutes into the second half, igniting a crowd of 6,745 fans. Goalkeeper Eric Dick made a season-high five saves, securing his 15th shutout and setting a new single-season record for the Hounds.
Rhode Island started strong, with Noah Fuson forcing Dick into a diving save early on. The Hounds gained momentum when Marc Ybarra’s foul on Perrin Barnes led to a yellow card. Danny Griffin came close to scoring in the 36th minute, but his effort was denied by goalkeeper Koke Vegas.
The breakthrough came in the 55th minute when Mertz received a nod from Griffin, skillfully cut inside, and scored with a shot that hit under the crossbar. The situation worsened for Rhode Island five minutes later when Ybarra received a red card, leaving them with 10 men.
Dick shone in the 74th minute, denying JJ Williams on a breakaway and making another critical save from a free kick.
The Hounds’ defense held firm through seven minutes of stoppage time, clinching the victory without conceding another shot on goal.
