USL Championship Final Preview: Tulsa FC vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds
The 2025 USL Championship season finale is set for Saturday 11/22 as the circuitous journey to the title culminates in Tulsa, Oklahoma.
Date & Time: Saturday, November 22 at 9:00AM PST
Location: ONEOK Field
Competition: USL Championship Playoffs | 2025 USL Final
Watch: CBS, Paramount+, YouTube
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Tulsa FC
Tulsa didn’t lead the Western Conference wire-to-wire but rode a midseason, 14-game undefeated streak to clinch the No. 1 seed in the playoffs. In stark contrast to their opponents in the final, the team clinched a conference final trophy (the first in a 10-year history) by thumping New Mexico 3-0 in front of a record-breaking crowd at ONEOK Field. “From day one, we wanted to be a team that could beat anyone—and staying consistent, week by week, is what’s gotten us to where we want to go,” Tulsa FC head coach Luke Spencer told the media following the match.
The Scissortails have a stout defense, allowing no goals enroute to the final via two 1-0 extra time wins and last Saturday’s 3-0 victory. On paper, Tulsa have significantly more firepower; led by 17-goal-scoring forward Taylor Calheira.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
Pittsburgh advanced to the USL Championship final to cap a memorable season in which the club finished fourth in the Eastern Conference. Saturday marks the first time the club will play for the title in its 26-year history.
In May, the Riverhounds pulled off a surprising upset when the team defeated New York City FC in the U.S. Open Cup. In October, Riverhounds head coach Bob Lilley was placed on administrative leave by the club with three games remaining in the season. Assistant coach Rob Vincent took over and has led the team on an improbable run through the playoffs. There has been no statement released on the reasons behind Lilley’s absence.
Pittsburgh’s playoff run has been marked by an impenetrable defense (0 goals allowed during regular time) and an offense that has done just enough (1 goal from open play courtesy of attacking midfielder Robbie Mertz). Throughout, the club has shown grit and determination, and will take the field Saturday in a familiar underdog role.
Head-to-Head History
Tulsa FC and Pittsburgh Riverhounds have played six times. Pittsburgh leads the series with a 3-1-2 record. The two teams didn’t face one another at all in the 2025 season but played twice in one week last year. Tulsa grabbed its first (and only) win over Pittsburgh in a 1-0 U.S. Open Cup win on May 7, 2024. Four days later, on May 11, 2025, the teams deadlocked at ONEOK Field in a very entertaining 2-2 draw.
Final Thoughts
Saturday’s final will be played at 11:00 AM local time, for the benefit of a nationally televised broadcast on CBS. It’s an understandable compromise for exposure that nonetheless means it could lead to some unpredictable outcomes. Some fans on social media have lamented that the national showcase will be played in a converted baseball stadium instead of a soccer specific venue.
No matter the outcome, it’s been a blast to celebrate and suffer through the season with our readers. See you on the other side!
Predictions
Ryan Hodek: 2-1 Tulsa
Valor Nash: 1-0 Pittsburgh, with a goal in the 83rd minute off a corner
Ryan Townsend: 0-0, Tulsa 5-4 on penalties
Rachael: 2-1 Pittsburgh
Who do you think got it right? Leave your own predictions in the comments!
I’m a Phoenix Rising fan and when I discovered their games are on local tv toward the end of the past season I started watching and following them. I saw both of these teams play against the Rising.
Although the name Riverhounds is my favorite in all of sports, and I’ll be rooting for them, and I hate Tulsa because if memory serves, and I’m not certain it does, (😅) they eliminated the Rising this past season, so I think Tulsa wins this game.