The Pittsburgh Riverhounds, one of many USL Championship’s most historic groups, have received the primary championship in membership historical past following a 5-3 penalty shootout victory over FC Tulsa on Saturday, following a 0-0 attract regulation. With two of one of the best defenses within the league assembly within the remaining in Tulsa, possibilities got here at a premium, however neither facet have been in a position to take them as they prolonged prolonged shutout streaks within the remaining. Tulsa keeper Tyler Deric guessed accurately on 4 of these Pittsburgh penalties, however was unable to save lots of any of them, exhibiting how high-quality margins might be in a sport of this magnitude.
Teaching solely his seventh sport for Pittsburgh after supervisor Bob Lilley was positioned on administrative go away, interim supervisor Rob Vincent has hit cult stage standing in Pittsburgh by going undefeated in these matches. At 35, Vincent has additionally develop into the youngest coach ever to win the championship. Juan Guerra, who received with Phoenix Rising in 2023 at 36 years, eight months, and 37 days previous, was the earlier holder of the file that has now fallen.
Lilley led the Riverhounds to a playoff spot in each season since he was employed in 2017, however he had by no means received a playoff sport with the membership, which rallied collectively beneath Vincent and have been in a position to make one thing particular occur.
Pittsburgh’s protection solely allowed 5 of Tulsa’s 17 photographs to be on course through the match, and regardless of Pittsburgh solely placing one shot on course, they did simply sufficient. Even when it got here to penalties, keeper Eric Dick was prepared for something that got here his manner because the Riverhounds received three penalty shootouts en path to profitable the USL title.
Tulsa could also be dissatisfied to not win in entrance of their house followers, however this can be a membership shifting in the correct route. They have been tenth within the Western Convention final season, and head coach Luke Spencer was in a position to lead the Scissortails inside a shootout of the primary league title in membership historical past. They will be again on this stage in what’s a remaining of groups on the rise.
