Ambassadors FC Ohio’s inaugural season in the NPSL came to an abrupt end on Saturday in the form of a 3-0 loss to Flower City Union in the Great Lakes Conference Championship match on a scorching hot afternoon at the Rochester Community Sports Complex.
“We just did not rise the occasion,” said Head Coach & Technical Director Ryan Dean, one of the finalists for the NPSL “Coach of the Year” award. “Hats off to Flower City as they showed up to get the job done and we take nothing away from them. No excuses on our part. We were pretty banged up coming into the match and missing some pieces for sure, but we simply did not finish, we made mistakes, were a bit unlucky in moments, and that is football.”
Following an opening flurry of penetration and front-third possession, Flower City got on the score sheet in the 14th minute. Dylan Rice slotted home a cutback from the byline from Rodrigo Gomes de Almeida. Almeida appeared to have left early on the ball over the top but the flag stayed down.
That was one of the only chances that got by AFC Ohio veteran keeper Gavin Ernst on the afternoon. Ernst was brilliant in the shot stopping on the day and would have been a “Man of the Match” shoe in had the scoreline been reversed.
Ambassadors responded well in the moments following the goal progressing the ball in between the thirds and putting Flower City on their heels repeatedly. In the 21st minute, AFC Ohio wingback Jordan Akins played a sublime chipped pass over the FCU backline to midfielder Matt Skladany breaking the line. Skladany, who has been on a late season tear of scoring and creating goals, lifted the ball over the keeper but beyond the crossbar.
It was the ensuing goal kick that put AFC Ohio in hole. Myles Palmer was the beneficiary of a flicked header that forced AFC back Jacob Irani to be chasing back toward his own goal. His back header to keeper Ernst was not strong enough and Palmer was gifted a first-touch volley that only needed to loop over Ernst who had come off his line to receive the back header giving FCU a 2-0 advantage in the 23 minute.
Yet, once again, AFC Ohio responded to the second goal only to have the luck not go there way. FCU escaped at least two very good quality chances against them as the home side went into the break feeling confident, while Ambassadors went into the halftime needing an energy boost and and their finishing boots to be sure.
Dean made a slight shape and tactical adjustment at the break that eventually would lead to more successes. “The reality was we had more than enough success breaking their press and breaking their first couple lines of pressure,” he said. “We needed to be more active running at their backline and creating overloads in advanced areas. The guys did it extremely well but we had some bad luck on the night as well to be sure.”
In the 59th minute, after a bit of back and forth and somewhat equal probing by both sides only In the middle third, AFC Ohio had possession established in the middle and front thirds. A penetrating first-time pass by center mid and John Carroll alumnus Brenden Swann was not controlled and popped out to Rice of FCU on what seemed like an innocuous transition moment. Ambassadors captain and center back Omar Najjar closed and made a perfectly-timed tackle on Rice winning the ball only to have deflect and be redirected straight into the path of FCU forward Almeida. Almeida slipped a one touch ball back to Rice who was onside and in behind the AFC backline and easily beat a defenseless Ernst to twist the dagger in the hearts of the visitors giving them a three-goal advantage with a half an hour left to play.
“That one stung quite a bit and really was a gut punch,” Dean said. “Omar makes a great tackle at the right moment and the ball spins right to their forward for an easy first-touch thru ball. Come on. But, that is football and we had our backs to wall like never before this entire season.”
The last 30 minutes were anything but boring. Both Ernst, and FCU keeper Burkhart, along with a number of players in both purple and white who made blocks, clears, and goal-line saves that kept the scoreline sacred and preserved the Great Lakes Conference title for the home side.
“I am nothing but proud, honored, and humbled to be a part of this crew of men and our ministry,” Dean reflected. “This day belonged to Flower City in terms of the result. But we walk away heads held high, with clear hearts, a humble spirit, and I know we reflected the light we are called to reflect.”
Ambassadors FC Ohio finishes their first NPSL campaign with eight (8) wins, three losses, and a draw and finished the regular season as the #14 ranked team in the 75 team league.
