Riverhounds Defeat Birmingham to Secure Playoff Seed
Pittsburgh clinched the fifth seed in the USL Championship playoffs after a 2-1 victory over the Birmingham Legion.
Updated on Oct. 25, 2026 in Soccer
Live Poll
Do you feel that a successful season for your local sports team improves your community?
The Pittsburgh Riverhounds defeated the Birmingham Legion 2-1 on Saturday at F.N.B. Stadium to lock up the fifth seed in the USL Championship playoffs. The win prevented Rhode Island or Hartford from overtaking the team in the standings.
Why it matters
Securing the fifth seed ensures the Riverhounds a spot in the upcoming postseason. The victory maintains the team's momentum heading into their first-round matchup against Louisville.
The match saw 6,024 fans in attendance, marking the team's 11th sellout of the season. Trevor Amann reached his 9th USL Championship goal, while Danny Griffin recorded his 2nd goal of the year.
The players
Pittsburgh Riverhounds
The professional soccer club represents Pittsburgh in the USL Championship and plays home matches at F.N.B. Stadium.
Birmingham Legion
The professional soccer team competes in the USL Championship and is based in Birmingham.
Trevor Amann
The forward scored his 9th goal of the USL Championship season during the match against Birmingham.
Danny Griffin
The player scored his 2nd goal of the season in the team's decisive win.
The details
Trevor Amann opened the scoring in the 54th minute following a turnover caused by a misplayed touch by Hamady Diop. Danny Griffin added the second goal just two minutes later after receiving a pass from Amann, while Ronaldo Damus scored for Birmingham in the 82nd minute.
Timeline
The match took place at F.N.B. Stadium on Saturday, Oct. 24, 2026.
The playoff schedule is expected to be released around 9 a.m. Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026.
First-round playoff games are expected to be played on Friday, Oct. 30, and Sunday, Nov. 1, 2026.
Season Trajectory
This win cements the Riverhounds' postseason path and forces a high-stakes first-round meeting with Louisville. By avoiding the lower seeds, Pittsburgh maintains a strategic position that mirrors their successful head-to-head performance against Louisville earlier this season.
The fifth-seed placement confirms a first-round playoff matchup against Louisville. Fans can expect a challenging post-season opener given the team's recent head-to-head history against their next opponent.
The takeaway
The Riverhounds effectively utilized offensive pressure to secure a critical win at home. Consistent attendance levels throughout the season highlight the growing support for professional soccer in the city.
What happens next
The first-round playoff schedule is expected to be released Sunday, Oct. 25, 2026, with matches slated for Oct. 30 and Nov. 1, 2026.
Further reading
For more on the local team's path to the postseason, visit the Pittsburgh Soccer section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by TribLIVE.
Live Poll
Do you feel that a successful season for your local sports team improves your community?
