Venue: Highmark Stadium, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States.
Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 PM ET (local Pittsburgh time; streamed live on U.S. Soccer YouTube).
Weather Updates (as of March 25, 2026): Mostly cloudy with temperatures in the mid-to-upper 50s°F (around 57–61°F) during the day, cooling to the mid-40s to upper 50s°F by kickoff and evening. Light winds (5–10 mph), low precipitation chance (under 30%), and no major weather concerns after the original March 17 date was postponed due to heavy snow and freezing conditions. The field should be playable but potentially slick from recent moisture, favoring a physical, direct style of play.
This historic all-Pittsburgh derby (first since 1957) was rescheduled from March 17 for player and fan safety; all original tickets and parking are honored.
Injury Report
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC:
Eliot Goldthorp (midfielder) – recovering from a lower-leg injury; questionable/monitoring fitness.
Robbie Mertz (veteran midfielder, local Upper St. Clair native) – knee injury from preseason; made his 2026 season debut off the bench in the recent league win and is expected to be available.
No other major absences reported; squad depth is strong.
Steel City FC:
No injuries or suspensions reported. As a USL League Two side with collegiate-heavy roster, some players may have spring academic commitments affecting availability, but the squad is otherwise full strength for this cup tie.
Key
Player Matchups and Key Profiles
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (USL Championship – Professional)
Key Players: Robbie Mertz (experience and leadership), Trevor Amann (striker), Jackson Walti (midfield control, former Pitt standout), Lasse Kelp & Owen Mikoy (aerial dominance at 6’4″+), Aldi Flowers-Gamboa & Warren Agostoni (young homegrown prospects).
Style: Likely 3-4-2-1 under Head Coach Rob Vincent. Emphasis on possession, high press, and set-piece strength.
Steel City FC (USL League Two – Semi-Pro/Amateur)
Key Players: Nick Graeca (captain, midfield general, former D-III All-American), Dylan Sumner (prolific scorer/MF-F, 2024 NEC Player of the Year), Joel Sangwa (physical CB with MLS NEXT Pro experience), Jervel Tobierre (defensive veteran), Martin Dominguez (GK).
Style: 4-3-3 under Coach Dan Brower. Direct, physical, and forward-pushing with crosses and midfield battles.
Key Matchups:
Midfield duel: Jackson Walti vs. Nick Graeca (control and transitions).
Aerial battles: Hounds’ tall defenders vs. Steel City’s crossing game.
Youth vs. experience: Hounds homegrown prospects vs. Steel City’s collegiate “X-factors.”
Recent Team Forms
Riverhounds SC:
Early 2026 USL Championship struggles defensively (7 goals conceded in first 3 league matches). Most recent: 3-2 road win vs. Loudoun United (overcoming 2-0 deficit); 3-0 loss at Tampa Bay Rowdies. Looking to use this cup tie to regain momentum and clean sheets.
Steel City FC:
League season still early (USL League Two typically ramps up in May); strong qualifying form but a 1-0 loss in 2024 Open Cup debut vs. Michigan Stars (NISA). Emphasizing physicality and derby motivation after the postponement.
Series History
First-ever meeting between the two clubs in any competition. This is the first all-Pittsburgh U.S. Open Cup matchup since 1957 (Harmarville Hurricanes 2-1 Morgan Strasser). The Hounds have never faced a Pittsburgh-area side before (closest was Erie Commodores in 2018). Steel City aims to become the first Pittsburgh amateur club to defeat a professional side in the Open Cup in the modern era.
MATCH ODDS
Steel City FC + 600
Pittsburgh RiverHounds SC – 300
Draw + 390
Over 2.5 – 115 Under 2.5 + 105
Odds Courtesy of Sports Odds Direct as of Tuesday, March 24, 2026
