Two record-setting crowds, two intense conference final matchups, and, now, two teams locked in for the 2025 USL Championship title game. The Pittsburgh Riverhounds and FC Tulsa were on nobody’s radar in the preseason, but they’ve grown into November titans on the back of defense-first integrity and season-long offense evolution.
How did the Eastern and Western Conference Finals play out, and what tactical choices made it happen for Pittsburgh and Tulsa? Let’s dig in.
Eastern Conference Final
Pittsburgh Riverhounds (1) - Rhode Island FC (0)
At this point, it’s hard to imagine anyone scoring on the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. This team has played 330 flawless defensive minutes in the 2025 playoffs, and it’s why they’re headed to the first championship game in club history. In front of 6,745 fans at Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh’s ability to blend their trademark solidity with real offensive progression made all the difference against Rhode Island FC.
