In a high-intensity match, Ambassadors FC Ohio dominated the Buffalo Stallions, earning a 5-0 victory, marking their largest margin of victory and their fourth shutout in their inaugural season of the NPSL.
Before the match began, it was announced that this would be Ambassadors’ starting goalkeeper Caydence Robinson’s final game with the team and in the NPSL this season. He is set to begin basic training to be a cadet for the United States Air Force, where he will be playing for their D1 soccer team.
The first half took time to find the urgency it so desperately needed. The feeling-out process on both sides took almost 15 minutes to produce any real threats for either team. The first corner of the game by Buffalo was expertly defended by the header of AFC captain Omar Najjar. Ambassadors returned this opportunity less than two minutes later, where a corner just missed the waiting header of several AFC Ohio players.
At the 21-minute mark, AFC’s Reese Utter and Buffalo’s Riley Quinn were shown the first two yellow cards of the game after getting tangled up in a tackle and exchanging words after the whistle. Though it appeared to be a relatively clean game, these were the first of a whopping six yellows throughout the game, one of which was on the visiting team’s coaching staff.
Although the Stallions were the first of the match to get a shot off, it would only be the first of a few. On the opposing side, Ambassadors was constantly crafting new chances. As the half progressed, AFC found themselves continually creating dangerous passing sequences that yielded several offensive opportunities.
Looking to shake the dust off their boots after the week-and-a-half break for Ambassadors, the home side found themselves in the perfect position to make their presence known on the scoreboard at Malone University. After a beating the white swarm of Stallion defenders, some short passing sequences, and sharp, precise turns, Yoni Sorokine received the ball from Jordan Akins at the top of the 18 before releasing a low-driven ball past the keeper and into the back of the net, putting Ambassadors FC Ohio in the lead at 1-0 in the 26th minute.
There was clear talent and speed on both sides of the ball. In a breakaway, AFC’s Randy Harris blew past the visiting team’s back line before being chased down by a Buffalo defender, who met the quickness of Harris with his own, shutting down his drive at the goal.
In the 29th minute of the match, Ambassadors FC Ohio’s Sorokine took a low-driven free kick towards the ready feet of Amir Spratt, who expertly spun past Buffalo defenders to shoot past the outstretched hands of the Stallions’ keeper, bringing the score to 2-0.
“It’s almost surprising when you go to a game and he doesn’t score a goal,” said one of Ambassadors FC Ohio’s live stream hosts, Ryan McGinnis.”
By the end of that first half, it was evident that AFC Ohio had found their rhythm. Buffalo was looking to take away the presence that Ambassadors brought to the first stanza as they came out of the break between halves.
In only the 2nd minute of the new half, Spratt found a window down the right touchline and took the drive deep into the Stallions’ half before passing the ball to Alex Depperschmidt, who effortlessly laid off the ball to Harris for a quick one-touch shot, earning his first NPSL career goal, and furthering the goal differential for the home team.
Despite the score, Buffalo was stout defensively. Because the ball remained on their half, the team was forced to stay organized, win duals, and make it difficult for AFC to have their way. But the possession, patience, and experience of the AFC midfield especially proved to be too much on the night.
Ambassadors substitute Brenden French received a pass from Josh Lord and drove to the byline in what appeared to be a set up for a cross or slotted ball to the top of the six-yard box. But, instead, French turned it into precise and skillful nutmeg through the legs Buffalo keeper at the near post, creating the fourth goal of the match in the 77th minute.
Just over five minutes later, Harris once again found himself creating opportunities near the goal as he put on a show with his skillful footwork past the Stallion defenders and found Josh Lord in a split pass, who easily sealed the fate of the game with the fifth and final Ambassadors FC Ohio goal.
Despite added time and a strong effort, the defense of the home team proved to be unbreakable against the talented offensive force of the Buffalo Stallions.
Aiming to continue their three-game win streak, Ambassador FC Ohio will hit the road on June 21st at 6:30 pm at Saxton Stadium at Mercyhurst University against the Erie Commodores.
Photo Credit: Mike Kane/ Ambassadors FC Ohio
