PITTSBURGH – The biggest night since the opening of Highmark Stadium arrived on Saturday for Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC as the club hosted its first USL Cup Playoffs game in its history when Pennsylvania rival Bethlehem Steel visited for an Eastern Conference Quarterfinals clash that needed to be decided by a penalty shootout that went eight rounds before a Riverhounds SC-record crowd of 5,139 fans.
But while Steel FC came out on top to bring a remarkable season for the Hounds to an end, the night still proved a memorable one for everyone within Pittsburgh’s organization with the standing-room-only crowd providing a tremendous atmosphere for the thrilling contest.
“It would’ve been nice to give them a great victory tonight. They were awesome,” said Hounds Head Coach Bob Lilley of the support. “They were fantastic. I hope they believe in what we’re doing, and we see more crowds like this.”
Here are some of the sights and sounds from a historic night at Highmark Stadium.
Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC welcomed a club-record crowd of 5,139 fans to Highmark Stadium for its first home USL Cup Playoffs contest in club history as Pennsylvania rival Bethlehem Steel FC visited for an Eastern Conference Quarterfinals clash.
Let’s have some fun tonight.#FillTheMark pic.twitter.com/d4tWiulnXc
— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) October 20, 2018
it’s almost playoff time for @RiverhoundsSC #PGHvBST pic.twitter.com/jhQyFY4Wtr
— James Santelli, but spooky (@JamesSantelli) October 20, 2018
@HoundsAcademy 05s here to support @RiverhoundsSC in playoff action #UNLEASH #FILLTHEMARK let’s go HOUNDS!! pic.twitter.com/Kk4Ixi02iR
— John Spatts (@john_spatts) October 20, 2018
Unleash the @RiverhoundsSC #FillTheMark pic.twitter.com/PRpR5wQvkL
— nicholas lesko (@40brksd) October 20, 2018
A little PA derby action to kick off #USLPlayoffs #FillTheMark @RiverhoundsSC pic.twitter.com/DYQzeXuhvm
— Rick Lawes (@ricklawes) October 20, 2018
We hear you on ESPN+ @SteelArmy #UpTheHounds #UNLEASH @RiverhoundsSC pic.twitter.com/oYkhE8vH5c
— Don Petree (@DonPetree) October 20, 2018
First ever @RiverhoundsSC playoff match at Highmark Stadium. Crazy atmosphere for Hounds vs. Bethlehem Steel. Watch LIVE right now on @PittsburghsCW & highlights on @KDKA News at 11! pic.twitter.com/tcVWdSnDTA
— Josh Taylor (@JoshTaylorHD) October 20, 2018
.@RiverhoundsSC score the go-ahead goal in extra time @highmarkstadium. @PGHCityPaper pic.twitter.com/ZdOCFsqsuP
— Jared Wickerham (@WickPhoto) October 21, 2018
Blink and you'll miss it. #PGHvBST | #USLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/UBt26qTGE6
— USL (@USL) October 21, 2018
At the end of the day, the Pittsburgh @RiverhoundsSC had a really solid season, bringing a lot of hope to a town trying to embrace soccer.
— Rachael McKriger (@RachaelMcKriger) October 21, 2018
What a thrilling ending.#PGHvBST
An incredible honor and blessing to work for the @RiverhoundsSC this season. A sad end to this season but it was an exciting one! Already can’t wait for next year! #UNLEASH pic.twitter.com/ITdxw8UFOJ
— Peter Mercer (@PeterMercer94) October 21, 2018
I want thank everyone from the bottom of my heart for the unbelievable support that you showed last night for the @RiverhoundsSC. That was always my vision and YOU made it happen. It was not the result I wanted but it is the beginning of what is coming!!!2019
— Tuffy Shallenberger (@Tuffy_Shall) October 21, 2018
Good luck to @RiverhoundsSC as they start their playoff run tonight!#FillTheMark | #BurghProud pic.twitter.com/nPRmkYiong
— Pirates (@Pirates) October 20, 2018
Current situation... @RiverhoundsSC #FillTheMark pic.twitter.com/mlsBmNZymx
— Eric Lauver (@ejlauver) October 20, 2018
Got my beer and my seat here at Highmark Stadium for the first playoff game as the @RiverhoundsSC face off against Bethlehem Steel FC. Let’s get this win! Let’s Go Hounds!!! #FillTheMark pic.twitter.com/7Q5N6Vy5Q8
— Brandon Bartley (@bbartley_ccm) October 20, 2018
Welcome to Highmark Stadium, @billpeduto.
— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) October 20, 2018
Thank you for attending tonight’s match. That scarf is a good look. #FillTheMark pic.twitter.com/GyZztyEbZG
Go Hounds!!! @RiverhoundsSC pic.twitter.com/k0aIfWdd5R
— Joshua Dunn (@JoshDeezy22) October 20, 2018
What more could you want, Pittsburgh? @BenZemanski and his head make it 1-0 @RiverhoundsSC. #PGHvBST #DKPS #Hounds pic.twitter.com/FfAUCbfR4c
— Matt Sunday (@mattsunday) October 20, 2018
And THAT is how you finish a run, @Micheengalina!#PGHvBST | #USLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/ddGWt49UGc
— USL (@USL) October 21, 2018
Let's Go @RiverhoundsSC! #FillTheMark #Riverhounds #Playoffs pic.twitter.com/EukOWJurEy
— Olivia Donnan (@olliesd) October 21, 2018
@RiverhoundsSC watching the PK’s, watched all extra time, impressed with the level of play after not having seen the Hounds since Bethel HS, will be attending next season.
— Bill Concilus (@Runnr1) October 21, 2018
That’s the first I’d seen the @RiverhoundsSC. Just watched an incredibly gutsy Playoff game on TV. Incredible. Should be so proud of your efforts. #Unleash
— Noah Kastroll (@NRKastroll) October 21, 2018
Disappointing end to a great run this year. Nice job @RiverhoundsSC @Tuffy_Shall. Way to turn a major corner. pic.twitter.com/YUnISRibV7
— Kevin Truman (@footballpastor1) October 21, 2018
Go inside the locker room and hear what Coach Burke had to say on tonight’s historic win#SteelTheCup pic.twitter.com/HX7cKz8Cc5
— X- Bethlehem Steel FC (@BSteelFC) October 21, 2018
Wishing the best of luck to former Pitt keeper @DanLynd20 and the rest of the @RiverhoundsSC as they open the playoffs tonight!#H2P https://t.co/RGUogZzmwc
— Pitt Men's Soccer (@Pitt_MSOC) October 20, 2018
@RiverhoundsSC @SteelArmy It’s a Soccer night in Pittsburgh!!! #LetsGoHounds pic.twitter.com/l3Bj3XfJLp
— TJ (@tjoreilly80) October 20, 2018
Nothing better than @RiverhoundsSC in the playoffs let’s go #unleash pic.twitter.com/M1eed9QFj8
— Cody BOOnder (@CWBend) October 20, 2018
Let’s go @RiverhoundsSC! @CityPGH’s South Shore is packed as the Hounds host their first playoff game! Mayor @billpeduto was in hand to perform the coin toss. #BurghProud #ReleaseTheHounds pic.twitter.com/OXCkxdCRud
— Office of the Mayor (@TheNextPGH) October 20, 2018
Execution: flawless, @BenZemanski.#PGHvBST | #USLPlayoffs pic.twitter.com/4R8IonR9Lw
— USL (@USL) October 20, 2018
The @SteelArmy is rocking in the background! Thanks @Tuffy_Shall and @RiverhoundsSC for the awesome experience for the RDA players tonight! #NewEraUnleashed pic.twitter.com/NxE1WnrbQT
— MPA Viking Soccer (@MPAFC15666) October 20, 2018
Atmosphere at the @RiverhoundsSC playoffs are pic.twitter.com/oSnkA3ImYc
— Chase Williams WPXI (@chasepwilliams) October 21, 2018
A few more views from the @SteelArmy tonight here at @highmarkstadium for the @RiverhoundsSC first ever playoff game. #UNLEASH #FillTheMark @PghSoccerScribe @pghsoccernow @MattGajtka pic.twitter.com/zR5vuBtOoR
— Ed Thompson (@EdwardKThompson) October 21, 2018
8-7 loss in PKs. :-(
— IceBurgh (@iceburghNHL) October 21, 2018
Don’t hang your heads, @RiverhoundsSC. Great season!!!
Haven’t been that heartbroken since the 08 pens final. Should’ve been a W in ET. Thanks @RiverhoundsSC, thanks @Tuffy_Shall , and do whatever you can to keep that group together please.
— Robert (@relhimself) October 21, 2018
Toughest loss all year. This was a fantastic season @RiverhoundsSC and my first as a fan. You’ve made a fan and a future season ticket holder out of me. Be a Riverhounds fan. Such great times had and to be enjoyed. #UNLEASH #PRSC #COYH https://t.co/NL5jSIR0Tp
— Pater (@Paterade20) October 21, 2018
Thanks to everyone who made #FillTheMark a reality tonight. You were incredible. See you in 2019. #UNLEASH pic.twitter.com/R117TmQxgY
— Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC (@RiverhoundsSC) October 21, 2018
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