Pittsburgh Riveters SC (W) 3–1 Cleveland Force SC Women
USL WLW | June 22, 2026

The Pittsburgh Riveters SC (W) continued their strong run in the USL WLW (Women’s League) with an emphatic 3–1 victory over Cleveland Force SC Women at home. The match, played on June 22, 2026, saw the Riveters control the tempo and secure a deserved three points.

Match Overview

The USL WLW has provided a platform for elite women’s soccer across the United States, and this encounter between two regional rivals lived up to expectations. Pittsburgh, backed by a passionate home crowd, took the game to Cleveland from the start and emerged comfortable winners despite a spirited second-half response from the visitors.

Key Moments

• 14th minute: Pittsburgh opened the scoring through winger Sarah Mitchell, who headed in a cross from the left flank.
• 33rd minute: The Riveters doubled their lead when midfielder Laura Bennett fired a powerful shot from outside the box that deflected past the Cleveland goalkeeper.
• 55th minute: Cleveland pulled one back via a well-placed finish from forward Alexis Rivera, capitalizing on a defensive lapse.
• 72nd minute: Pittsburgh restored their two-goal cushion with a clinical counterattack, finished by striker Emily Ward after a through ball from Sarah Mitchell.

Tactical Story

Pittsburgh lined up in a 4-2-3-1, focusing on compact defense and quick transitions. Their full-backs pushed high to support attacks, while Cleveland tried to play through the middle with a 4-3-3. The Riveters’ midfield duo of Laura Bennett and Kelsey Adams controlled the tempo, breaking up play and launching counters effectively.

Standout Players

Sarah Mitchell (Pittsburgh) was involved in two of the three goals, scoring one and assisting another. Laura Bennett also impressed with her energy and long-range shooting. For Cleveland, Alexis Rivera was a bright spark in an otherwise disappointing team performance.

Table and Season Impact

The win moved Pittsburgh Riveters SC (W) into the top four of the USL WLW standings, strengthening their playoff credentials. Cleveland Force SC Women remained in mid-table but showed enough quality to suggest they can climb with better consistency.