The Pittsburgh Riverhounds hosted a championship rally on Thursday, celebrating their first USL Championship title.

It was a long wait for the Riverhounds, nearly 30 years in the making, before they won their first championship trophy. The Riverhounds defeated FC Tulsa in a penalty shootout last month to win the title. It was the first professional championship for the city since the Pittsburgh Penguins in 2017.

The Hounds' journey to their first title included many dramatic moments, especially throughout the USL Championship playoffs, which featured penalty shootout wins against Hartford and Detroit before the title-securing win against Tulsa.

The team's defense was really a hallmark of their championship run, not allowing a goal throughout the entire playoffs, closing out the season with 632 consecutive scoreless minutes.

Thursday was the moment players and fans were waiting for: seeing the trophy and celebrating another championship. Fans also got a chance to pose with the league and conference championship trophies.

"We got a pretty good crowd for a noon on a weekday," Michael Shoemaker, of Pittsburgh, said.

"It's amazing. They've put so much time, effort and energy. You can see it in the fanbase, it's just been amazing," Joann Sivurt, of Verona, said.

Riverhounds ownership, coaches and players thanked the fans for their continued support. It's a love that runs so deep that fans braved the cold of December to celebrate the championship.

"You look out there and see all the fans that are bearing this weather in the city and everything, it's amazing we are now getting the chance to celebrate with all of them," Riverhounds captain Danny Griffin said.

Owner Tuffy Shallenberger knew from the moment he bought the team that a championship would cement their legacy in the region.

"We're proving now that Pittsburgh is a soccer town," he said.

KDKA's Bob Pompeani emceed the event. Pittsburgh Mayor Ed Gainey, Allegheny County Executive Sara Innamorato and other local leaders were in attendance.