![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/img_1356.jpg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tU.S. Open Cup \u2013 First Round
\nPittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL-C) vs. Steel City FC (NPSL\/USL2)<\/p>\n
Location: Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh, PA Kickoff: 7:00 PM ET<\/p>\n
\u23f1\ufe0f LIVE MATCH TRACKER<\/p>\n
We are here live at Highmark Stadium \u2014 as the first match between two Pittsburgh teams in the US Open Cup (proper) is finally happening. Follow along with our live updates here\u2026\u00a0<\/p>\n
2nd Half Updates<\/p>\n
84\u2032 \u2014 Ahl straddles the edge of box \u2014 drives a shot saved by Dominguez<\/p>\n
77\u2032 \u2014 GOAL!! STEEL CITY FC<\/p>\n
Nick Graeca slots the PK into the right.<\/p>\n
76\u2032 \u2014 PENALTY!!<\/p>\n
Carlos Santamaria is fouled just as he gets inside box. Steel City with a PK coming!<\/p>\n
73\u2032 \u2014 GOAL!!\u00a0 RIVERHOUNDS 2, STEEL CITY 0<\/p>\n
Charles Ahl picks up a loose ball and blasts it into the right side.<\/p>\n
70\u2032 \u2014 HOUNDS SUBS<\/p>\n
IN \u2014 Brigham Larsen, Bradley Sample
\nOUT \u2014 Mertz, Walti<\/p>\n
66\u2032 \u2014 STEEL CITY SUBS \u2014<\/p>\n
IN \u2014 77 Afawubo and 17 Boehm
\nOUT \u2014 Koah and Prex<\/p>\n
66\u2032 \u2014 GOAL \u2014 HOUNDS 2, STEEL CITY 0<\/p>\n
Charles Ahl is there to drive it into the back of net.<\/p>\n
59\u2032 \u2014 SUBS \u2014 HOUNDS<\/p>\n
OUT \u2014 Griffin, Goldthorp,<\/p>\n
IN \u2014 Barnes, Bassett, Ahl<\/p>\n
54\u2032 \u2014 Steel City charges forward again. Diagonal ball for Hadran \u2014 who breaks into box and is denied by solid tackle but ball goes out for corner.<\/p>\n
51\u2032 \u2014 Chance for Steel City!\u00a0 Dylan Sumner has room at top of box \u2014 lets a low liner to the inside of near post and Hounds\u2019 Nico Campuzano dives to make the save.<\/p>\n
HALFTIME REPORT<\/p>\n
After 69 years of waiting, the first half of the all-Pittsburgh U.S. Open Cup derby has lived up to the physical, high-intensity billing.<\/p>\n
At the break, the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC hold a 1-0 lead over Steel City FC, thanks to an early opportunistic strike from captain Danny Griffin.<\/p>\n
The Breakthrough<\/p>\n
The Hounds wasted no time asserting their professional pedigree. In the 7th minute, a corner kick scrum resulted in the ball falling to the feet of Danny Griffin, who poked it home to give the Hounds the early advantage. It was the exact \u201creset\u201d Rob Vincent called for after a scoreless, shotless first half in Tampa Bay last weekend.<\/p>\n
First Half Key Moments<\/p>\n
7\u2032 \u2014 GOAL (PIT): Danny Griffin capitalizes on a loose ball in the box following a corner. 1-0 Hounds.<\/p>\n
26\u2032 \u2014 YELLOW CARD (STC): Debutant Carlos Santamaria receives a booking for a tactical foul, leaning into the back of Eliot Goldthorp to break up a midfield transition.<\/p>\n
34\u2032 \u2014 SAVE: Robbie Mertz unleashes a diagonal \u201claser\u201d from inside the box, but Steel City\u2019s Martin Dominguez stays big to punch it away.<\/p>\n
38\u2032 \u2014 THE SCARES: Steel City nearly found an equalizer when Amann got behind the Hounds\u2019 backline on a long ball. While the Hounds\u2019 defenders paused for an offside flag that never came, Dominguez sprinted off his line to deny the point-blank chance.<\/p>\n
While the Hounds have dictated the tempo with 55% possession and a dominant 8-0 shots advantage, Steel City FC has refused to bunkered down. Dan Brower\u2019s side has maintained an aggressive high press since the opening whistle, successfully disrupting the Hounds\u2019 build-up play for large stretches of the half.<\/p>\n
Since the opening goal, the match has leveled out into a gritty, end-to-end affair, with Steel City proving they can physically compete with their professional neighbors.<\/p>\n
Halftime Stats:<\/p>\n
HALF \u2014 RIVERHOUNDS 1, STEEL CITY 0<\/p>\n
The Hounds capitalized on the early opportunity from corner kick scrum \u2014 to take an early lead off Danny Griffin\u2019s foot. Otherwise, the pros have dictated terms with 55 percent possession and a decisive 8-0 shots advantage while also generating a couple other solid chances in a match where they\u2019ve fended off Steel City FC\u2019s high energy efforts to press and disrupt things.<\/p>\n
38\u2032 \u2014 Amann gets behind the Hounds line on a long ball over top \u2014 SCFC defender have hands up for off side \u2014 but play on and Dominguez comes way off line to deny Amann chance.<\/p>\n
34\u2032 \u2014 Chance!\u00a0 Mertz with diagonal run as he gets into box unleashes a laser \u2014 right at Dominguez who punches it away<\/p>\n
29\u2032 \u2014 Good build-up with diagonal ball over to right for Hounds\u2019 Max Viera \u2014 who has his shot saved (didn\u2019t look like it was going in) by Martin Dominguez.<\/p>\n
26\u2032 \u2014 YELLOW CARD \u2014 Newest Steel City midfielder Carlos Santamaria \u2014 drawing back to slow down Eliot Goldthorp at midfield with a hard lean in the back.<\/p>\n
20\u2032 \u2014 Steel City not sitting back by any means.\u00a0 They started the match in a high press and have kept it up.\u00a0 Since the goal it\u2019s been pretty even match.<\/p>\n
7\u2032 \u2014 GOAL!!\u00a0 RIVERHOUNDS 1, STEEL CITY FC 0<\/p>\n
7:05 p.m. \u2014 match has kicked off \u2014 Hounds in home all-black kits with gold trim and Steel City FC in all white kits.<\/p>\n
6:30 p.m. \u2014 Starting Lineups have been posted!\u00a0 Hounds going with a pretty strong XI and solid 18.\u00a0 Steel City with a strong mix of local players and a few new additions.\u00a0 The most recent being Carlos Santamaria, who helped lead NC State to NCAA College Cup last season.<\/p>\n
Former #Rapids96 mid Sam Bassett on the bench for #RiverhoundsSC in their #USOC2026 matchup with Steel City FC.<\/p>\n
\u2014 Soccer_Rabbi, Mark Asher Goodman (@rabbimarkasherg.bsky.social)<\/a> 2026-03-25T22:56:05.907Z<\/a><\/p>\n PRE-MATCH BRIEFING<\/p>\n The Stakes: A 69-year wait ends tonight for the all-Pittsburgh Derby in the Open Cup. The winner advances to the Second Round of the 111th Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.<\/p>\n The Narrative: Professional rotation vs. Amateur ambition.<\/p>\n The Opposition: Dan Brower\u2019s Steel City FC brings a \u201cPro-Am\u201d roster featuring Martin Dominguez (SMU\/Oregon State) and a heavy Robert Morris University contingent.<\/p>\n \ud83d\udccb THE LINEUPS<\/p>\n PITTSBURGH RIVERHOUNDS (3-4-2-1)<\/p>\n STEEL CITY FC (4-3-3)<\/p>\n Player Aldi Flowers-Gamboa\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0 Warren Agostoni\u00a0 Robbie Mertz Ryan Schoemer Nick Niebauer Michael Bishop Sean Regan Zander Pliza Luke Kost Logon Poppert Nathan Prex Cam Territo Nick Graeca Clint McElheny Nolan Hutter Steel City have added some talented players to its roster for 2026 which could be X-Factors in this match and for their pending USL League Two campaign.<\/p>\n These players include:<\/p>\n Martin Dominguez (GK) \u2013\u00a0A marquee addition between the posts. Unlike many local keepers, Dominguez brings experience from elite NCAA programs \u2014 SMU and Oregon State (ACC & Pac-12). His shot-stopping ability at the professional-trialist level is what Steel City needs to survive an early Hounds barrage.<\/p>\n Dylan Sumner (MF\/F)\u00a0\u2013 The 2024 NEC Player of the Year. Sumner is a prolific goal-scorer who successfully transitioned Mercyhurst to Division I. He\u2019s clinical, experienced, and has the \u201cclutch\u201d gene\u2014scoring 14 goals in 2023. If the Hounds\u2019 backline sleeps, Sumner will find the net. Sumner is now a coach at Point Park.\u00a0\u00a0<\/p>\n Joel Sangwa (DEF)\u00a0\u2013 A physical, modern center-back. Sangwa brings MLS NEXT Pro experience from Nashville SC\u2019s affiliate, Huntsville, where Danny Griffin played briefly along with Sean Suber. His familiarity with professional speed of play means he won\u2019t be rattled by the Hounds\u2019 press, and his aerial dominance (6\u20190\u2033+) is key to neutralizing the Hounds\u2019 set pieces.<\/p>\n Jervel Tobierre (DEF)\u00a0\u2013 Tobierre brings a level of veteran leadership that amateur sides often lack in the Open Cup. His ability to organize the backline under pressure will be vital during the inevitable Hounds waves of pressure.\u00a0 Tobierre is also a coach now at Slippery Rock.\u00a0<\/p>\n \u00a0<\/p>\n Steel City FC Roster Defenders (DEF)<\/p>\n Joel Sangwa:\u00a0University of Akron (Former Huntsville City FC \/ MLS NEXT Pro)<\/p>\n Jervel Tobierre:\u00a0University of South Carolina Aiken (Former captain \/ St. Lucia youth international)<\/p>\n Will Afawuba:\u00a0Robert Morris University (Key defensive starter)<\/p>\n Nolan Hutter:\u00a0University of Dayton (Montour HS alum)<\/p>\n Clint McElheny:\u00a0Seton Hill University (Shaler HS alum)<\/p>\n Victor Koah:\u00a0Robert Morris University (Kinetic Academy roots)<\/p>\n Michael Bishop*: Allderdice HS (Steel City Academy Homegrown)<\/p>\n Sean Regan*: Fox Chapel HS (Steel City Academy Homegrown)<\/p>\n Zander Pliza*: Pitt-Greensburg (Hampton HS alum \/ Academy Homegrown)<\/p>\n Midfielders (MF)<\/p>\n Anass Hadran:\u00a0Robert Morris University (2024 All-Horizon League)<\/p>\n Dylan Sumner:\u00a0Mercyhurst (2024 NEC Player of the Year)<\/p>\n Grant McIntosh:\u00a0Duquesne University (Plano, TX \/ Dallas MLS Next Pro) \u2014 UPDATE \u2014 A key contributor to 2025 Steel City FC squad that won USL Great Forest Division, Grant will be unable to play in this match.<\/p>\n Nick Graeca:\u00a0John Carroll University (DuBois HS alum)<\/p>\n Cam Territo:\u00a0Western Illinois University (South Allegheny HS alum)<\/p>\n Luke Kost*: Geneva College (Trinity Christian alum \/ Academy Homegrown)<\/p>\n Logon Poppert*: Central Catholic HS (Steel City Academy Homegrown)<\/p>\n Will Dunda:\u00a0Geneva College (All-PAC selection)<\/p>\n Forwards (F)<\/p>\n Nathan Prex:\u00a0Lebanon Valley College (Seneca Valley HS alum)<\/p>\n Nick Niebauer:\u00a0Butler (Steel City Academy Homegrown \/ WPIAL standout \/ MLS Nest Pro)<\/p>\n Ryan Schoemer*: Norwin HS (Steel City Academy Homegrown \/ WPIAL standout)<\/p>\n Sam Boehm:\u00a0Regional standout (Connecticut College)<\/p>\n Coaching Staff<\/p>\n Dan Brower:\u00a0Head Coach<\/p>\n Steve Rerick:\u00a0Assistant Coach \/ GK Coach<\/p>\n Mike Gardner:\u00a0Assistant Coach<\/p>\n Mike Sapsara:\u00a0Assistant Coach<\/p>\n *Denotes Homegrown\/Steel City Academy player status.<\/p>\n \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t![\"Image\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/HESe4sKWQAAnNEU.jpeg\")
<\/p>\n
\nHigh School
\nAcademy \/ College Affiliation
\nClub<\/p>\n
\nPlum
\nCurrent Hounds Academy Player
\nHounds<\/p>\n
\nLatrobe
\nCurrent Hounds Academy Player
\nHounds<\/p>\n
\nUpper St. Clair
\nUniversity of Michigan
\nHounds<\/p>\n
\nNorwin
\nCurrent Steel City Academy Player
\nSteel City<\/p>\n
\nButler
\nCurrent Steel City Academy Player
\nSteel City<\/p>\n
\nAllderdice
\nCurrent Steel City Academy Player
\nSteel City<\/p>\n
\nFox Chapel
\nCurrent Steel City Academy Player
\nSteel City<\/p>\n
\nHampton
\nPitt-Greensburg
\nSteel City<\/p>\n
\nTrinity Christian\u00a0 \u00a0\u00a0
\nGeneva College
\nSteel City<\/p>\n
\nCentral Catholic
\nCurrent Steel City Academy Player
\nSteel City<\/p>\n
\nSeneca Valley
\nLebanon Valley College
\nSteel City<\/p>\n
\nSouth Allegheny
\nWestern Illinois University
\nSteel City<\/p>\n
\nDuBois
\nJohn Carroll University
\nSteel City<\/p>\n
\nShaler
\nRobert Morris University
\nSteel City<\/p>\n
\nMontour
\nUniversity of Dayton
\nSteel City<\/p>\n
\nGoalkeepers (GK)<\/p>\n![\"\"](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/1774486389_723_9fc47ef9c7618526ba96a42043531c5dbd34a5bbcf4bece4d043a1d2386ba631.jpeg\")
\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-content\/uploads\/2026\/03\/PGHSCN-xsmall-logo.png\"\/){kind=logo}
<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"U.S. Open Cup \u2013 First Round Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL-C) vs. Steel City FC (NPSL\/USL2) Location: Highmark Stadium,…\n","protected":false},"author":2,"featured_media":148596,"comment_status":"","ping_status":"","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[9],"tags":[73,75,74],"class_list":{"0":"post-148595","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-pittsburgh","8":"tag-pittsburgh","9":"tag-pittsburgh-headlines","10":"tag-pittsburgh-news"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148595","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/2"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=148595"}],"version-history":[{"count":0,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/148595\/revisions"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/148596"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=148595"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=148595"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-pa\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=148595"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}