Note: This is the fourth article of our annual series looking back on the best moments of the year. The previous entries in the series are linked at the bottom of the page.
In truth, an entire Top 5 — and then some — could have been compiled strictly from the Hounds’ November playoff run. But having to narrow it down, the moment that involved a record 6,745 elated fans at Highmark Stadium claims an obvious spot in the countdown.
An excellent piece of individual skill by Robbie Mertz provided the only goal of the match after a good team build-up play, and that singular goal put the Hounds into the first league final of their 26-year history with a 1-0 win over Rhode Island FC in the USL Championship Eastern Conference Final on Nov. 15.
The back-and-forth match featured plenty of tense moments, from some early Rhode Island chances to a near miss by Danny Griffin in the first half on a ball chipped through by Mertz. But it was Mertz who set the stadium-record crowd into a fervor in the 55th minute, thanks in part to a good diagonal ball by Luke Biasi, aggressive forward running by Perrin Barnes and Augi Williams to occupy the defense, and lastly, a good second-ball layoff by Griffin.
The match took another turn on the hour mark when former Hounds man Marc Ybarra was sent off for a second yellow card, reducing the visitors to 10 men. But even shorthanded, Rhode Island pressed forward, and it took an excellent save by Eric Dick to deny JJ Williams an equalizer.
But the Hounds would hold on to their one-goal lead, and history was made. Only twice before had the Hounds been a single win away from a league final — those coming in 2004 and 2010 in third-division leagues — but this year the team smashed open the door to reach the USL Championship Final, despite having to advance on penalties in each of the previous two rounds.
That win set up a meeting with FC Tulsa for the USL Championship title, which — and this barely rates as a spoiler — sets up the forthcoming final feature in this year’s “Best of” series.
Previous entries in the Best of 2025:
#5 — Beto conquers NYC
#4 — The King hangs up his crown
#3 — Building for the future
