Josiah Boggs (Hiram, OH/Cedarville Univ.) scored the opening goal in the 12th minute of play to give the AFC Ohio U23 side the lead en route to a 2:1 victory over Afro United FC Akron in a benefit friendly match on Sunday afternoon at King Field on the campus of Malone University.

A little under 100 people braved the steady rain on the day to come out and support both sides in a match that raised over $300.00 in funding for the Ambassadors Football Club’s “Creating Chances” Scholarship Program. “Creating Chances” provides funding for youth soccer players, especially those from Akron, who for many reason can’t afford the rising costs of youth sports. Veteran forward Zach Kern (Rocky River, OH/Marietta College) sealed the victory with a goal in the 68th minute.

“The only negative on the day was the weather kept many, many people away,” said Director of Men’s Football Operations Bob Dean. “I am sure that impacted the bottom line related to the amount of funding we raised on the day. Yet, this was a celebration of the Spirit of the Lord on the day we celebrate Pentacost…the Holy Spirit amongst us. Anyone who sat in that rain to come out to this match must have been filled with a giving spirit and we are grateful to everyone for their help.”

Ambassadors Football missionary Matt Warner, who has been the primary contact in Akron for the ministry to youth in the North Hill area, took the time to elaborate on the “Creating Chances” Scholarship Program.

“Premier-level youth soccer in the United States is a pay-to-play system. According to a survey by Utah State University, the average family spends $2,292 per year on youth sports! With the cost of playing so high, the club soccer environment is often out of reach for many people,” he said. “This is especially true in Akron, where one in five families are below the poverty line. At Ambassadors Football, one of our goals is to redefine who has access to the top levels of youth soccer in America. Our ‘Creating Chances’ scholarship provides opportunities for young players to play premier soccer with Ambassadors FC, whose mission is to create a high-performance, Christ-centered Football Club that transforms the lives of its members.”

“Through our community programs in the Akron area, our experienced coaches identify players with the potential and desire to play at a higher level,” Warner said when asked more about the process. “After meeting with his or her family, we arrange for a tryout with the appropriate team within Ambassadors FC. If the player makes the team on merit, the ‘Creating Chances’ process begins. The player’s parents go through the club registration process so they are officially a part of the club. Through scholarships and donations, generous individuals or groups cover the cost of what each player needs to play.”

Ambassadors Football absorbs over $75,000 annually to fund this scholarship program. And, the funding not only goes to players and families from North Akron, but also to ANY eligible player and family who applies regardless of their financial circumstances. Ambassadors has never been able to raise 100% of the annual cost and act on faith to provide the funding from other budget line resources within the youth club.

“This program is an annual loss leader for the club,” Dean stated. “It is a financial burden every, single year without doubt. But, we do the best we can and trust in the Lord that He will provide us with a way. And, we aren’t waiting on the Lord to do all the work. We are constantly knocking on doors and trying to find a way to cover this total expense to help as many families as possible. I don’t know of another club in this region that does not cap the number of scholarships for financial need.”

The Ambassadors FC Ohio U23 squad will return home next Saturday, May 30 to open their National Premier Soccer League – Regional League season when they host FC Dynamo Rochester at 1:30 p.m. at Dr. David & Winnie King Field on the campus of Malone University in Canton, Ohio.

Photo Credits: Mark Gorman

Match Summary

Diego Pinto (Akron, OH) scored in the 12th and 45th minutes of the first half to push Ambassadors FC Ohio to a 4-1 victory at Niagara 1812 on Saturday night in a 90 minute torrential downpour on the campus of Niagara University.

AFC Ohio shares the top of the table on points, only trailing Erie Commodores on goal difference to set the pace in the Great Lakes Conference of the NPSL.

It was difficult for both teams to maintain possession as the ball skipped and slid on the wet artificial surface only to be influenced as well by the strong wind constantly blowing from the southeast. AFC Ohio found a few opportunities to get in early. Then, in the 12th minute, Amir Spratt (Kent, OH/Univ. of Mount Union) received the ball on the break only to find Pinto driving into the area to give the visitors a 1-0 lead. 

Following the goal, AFC continued to mount pressure bypassing their own midfield to play on the flanks and create chances and crosses into the area. In the 26th minute, totally against the run of play, Jacob Schacht (Nashville, TN/Colgate) received a backpass from the midfield only to slip on the wet turf giving Jordon Nobe of Niagara 1812 an opportunity alone on AFC keeper Nick Bertolini that he put away to draw the match even.

“The early goal gave us a great boost, but I was concerned with our reaction after giving up the equalizer,” said AFC Ohio Head Coach & Technical Director Ryan Dean. “The next moments in the match did not meet our standards for reaction and poise so we needed to suffer through that to get back into the match.”

In the 42nd minute, the reaction started to show toward the positive as Ambassadors once again tuned into possession, ball movement, and increasing the speed of play. Following some sustained possession, Schacht certainly made up for the slip when he clipped a ball from just outside the right side of the area to a slashing Pinto who beat the keeper to flighted ball to head it in only moments before the one added minute at the end of first stanza expired.

When the teams came out of the break, it was obvious that AFC Ohio had their tails up and were dialed in to win 1st and 2nd aerial balls and try to create more quality chances. Following a foul by Niagara, Ambassadors played a quick restart to release Spratt into the area where he clipped a ball to the side netting past the Niagara keeper. But, after an extensive stoppage, the official chalked off the goal after a conversation with the assistant referee. That decision certainly sparked a positive reaction from the visitors for the remainder of the half.

“That decision really became the source of a great reaction from the fellas,” Dean exclaimed. “I was super happy to see that reaction and the way we responded to that source of adversity.”

In the 75 minute, Ambassadors midfielder Tyler Harsch (Aliquippa, PA/Univ. of Mount Union) showed incredible work rate sliding to save a ball before it went into touch and redirecting it to debutant Zak Kersey (Lincoln, UK/Neosho County CC) who opened up to play an outstanding one-touch finishing into the opposite side netting to put AFC virtually out of reach at 3-1.

Injuries and substitutions saw the referee add six minutes of stoppage time and that provided Ambassadors with another chance. Wingback veteran James D’Isidoro (Twinsburg, OH/Wittenberg Univ.), playing in his first match of the season, took on at least two 1812 defenders to drive to the byline and loft a cross to the back post to Spratt who put the match to bed in the 95th minute. 

Ambassadors will return home next Saturday, May 30 to host Great Lakes Conference rival Flower City Union at 5:00 p.m. at Dr. David & Winnie King Field on the campus of Malone University in Canton, Ohio.

Match Summary

Ambassadors FC Ohio took advantage of corner kick that RNY FC failed to clear in the 91st minute when Jax Pena slotted a perfect cross inside the six yard box that Diego Pinto finished to give the host all three points in their home opener at King Field in Canton, Ohio on Saturday afternoon.

AFC Ohio moves to the top of the table in the Great Lakes Conference in the infancy of the season. Head Coach & Technical Director Ryan Dean expressed great praise for his side and also great caution. “We think the guys are in a great place so early in the season and getting a result this way just demonstrates to them that the work, and the process, is worth it,” he said. “And, the reality is that after the match, the team is only talking about taking things a training session and a match at a time. Their mentality is mature and has the right perspective at this point in the season.”

The first half saw extended periods of possession and patience by both teams through the first 30 min. with Ambassadors looking far more threatening and missing some quality chances. Then, in the 37 minute, AFC wingback Jordan Akins slipped when trying to progress a pass while under light pressure that allowed RNY FC forward & captain Zach Drayer to go in on goal freely and to give them a 1-0 lead totally against the run of play. 

Pena, who was recognized as the State Farm “Man of the Match” for his persistent contributions and ability to create opportunities for the team in black, made a sliding tackle on RNY centerback Brennan McDermott that McDermott took great offense to as he immediately swung his leg back in anger through both of Pena’s legs to draw a red card in the in the 42nd minute giving AFC Ohio at least 48 minutes playing a man up for the remainder of the match.

As the 2nd half opened, it was clear that each team changed its approach to address their own desires…RNY FC to sustain a lead and add to it while playing with 10…AFC to increase the pressure and consistently outnumber their undermanned opponent. The pressure was obvious, as was the perseverence of of RNY.

But, that pressure and the ability to spread the field payed off in the 53rd minute when Akins made amends fo the slip by clipping in a near perfect from 25 yds. out on the right flank to a streaking former Mount Union teammate Alex Depperschmidt that he finished 1st time from just inside the penalty spot to bring the home side level in the 53rd minute.

“That was the deep breath and breathing space we wanted and hoped for early on in the half,” said Dean. “From there on out, is was all about bringing energy, staying with the plan, and creating as many chances as possible.”

The next 37 minutes was nothing but an onslaught of opportunities, set pieces, scraps, and pressure from Ambassadors as RNY FC stood strong and consistently cleared their lines to relieve the stress. Pinto and first-year addition Tyler Harsch were inserted into the match to provide energy and to increase the pressure and both certainly lived up to the expectation producing frequent quality chances for others as well as shots on and off target.

Just when the match looked like it was headed for a courageous draw for both sides, AFC Ohio earned a corner kick in the 91st minute. Pena played a short corner to the corner of the penalty area that Yoni Sorokine hit towards goal, only to be deflected to the opposite side of the area by and RNY foot. First-year center back Jacob Schacht who came on in the 61st minute in relief of Davis Novak kept the deflection alive by serving it over the box back to Pena. Pena then beat his defender to the byline slotted it through the six yard box to a second post run by Pinto who easily put it away to earn maximum points for his side.

Ambassadors will travel next Saturday to Niagara Falls, NY and the campus of Niagara University to take on hosts Niagara 1812 at 7:00 p.m. EDT.

AFC Ohio enters second NPSL season in the Great Lakes Conference after inaugural-year playoff run and 3-1 opening victory over defending conference champion Flower City Union

CANTON, Ohio — Ambassadors FC Ohio has officially launched its 2026 National Premier Soccer League season, beginning its second campaign in the NPSL Great Lakes Conference with a powerful road statement: a 3-1 victory over defending conference champion Flower City Union on Saturday, May 9, at the Rochester Community Sports Complex.

The win marked the first time AFC Ohio has defeated Flower City Union in NPSL play and served as a strong opening chapter for a club looking to build on a remarkable inaugural NPSL season in 2025. Last year, Ambassadors FC Ohio finished second in the Great Lakes Conference, earned the right to host a conference semifinal, captured its first NPSL playoff victory, and advanced to the Great Lakes Conference Final.

Now, the only pre-professional soccer club in the Stark County/Canton region competing on a true national platform returns to Canton with renewed belief, a growing competitive identity, and a clear commitment to representing Northeast Ohio with excellence on and off the field.

“Last season was an important step forward for our men’s program, but it was only a beginning,” said Bob Dean, Director of Men’s Football Operations for Ambassadors FC Ohio. “To enter the NPSL, compete immediately in one of the strongest regions in the country, host a playoff match, and reach a conference final was a tremendous accomplishment. But our players, coaches, staff, partners, and supporters understand that the standard continues to rise. The 2026 season is about growth, maturity, and continuing to build something that reflects the mission and values of Ambassadors Football.”

Ambassadors FC Ohio competes in the NPSL’s Great Lakes Conference alongside regional opponents including Flower City Union, Rochester NY FC Academy, Cleveland SC, Erie Commodores FC, Buffalo Stallions, and Niagara 1812. The conference has quickly become one of the most competitive environments in the league, featuring clubs with deep player pools, strong local followings, and postseason ambitions.

AFC Ohio’s 2026 opener reflected that competitive landscape. On a physical night in Rochester, the visitors absorbed pressure, created decisive attacking moments, and showed the resilience that became a defining characteristic of the club during its first NPSL season.

Forward Amir Spratt (Kent, Ohio-Univ. of Mount Union), the 2025 Great Lakes Conference MVP, opened his 2026 account with two goals in the first half, while Diego Pinto (Akron, Ohio-Lakeland CC) added a second half penalty in his first match back after suffering a broken foot against Flower City during the 2025 season. First-year goalkeeper Nick Bertolini (Doylestown, Ohio-Walsh Univ.) delivered an outstanding debut performance, producing several key saves to help AFC Ohio secure all three points.

Head Coach and Technical Director Ryan Dean, a 2025 finalist for NPSL National Coach of the Year, said the opener was an important result but only one step in a demanding season.

“It was a match of moments, and our players were brave in those moments,” Ryan Dean said. “Winning away from home against the defending conference champion is meaningful, especially after the way last season ended. But this league does not allow you to live off one result. The challenge now is to keep improving, keep competing, and keep becoming the team we believe we can be.”

AFC Ohio’s home opener is scheduled for Saturday, May 16, at 5:00 p.m. against Rochester NY FC Academy at Dr. David & Winnie King Field at Pioneer Park on the campus of Malone University in Canton, Ohio. The match features a meeting of last season’s Great Lakes Conference semifinalists and begins a home slate that will bring some of the region’s top pre-professional clubs to Canton throughout May and June.

The 2026 home schedule also includes a highly anticipated rematch with Flower City Union on Saturday, May 30, at 5:00 p.m., a Great Lakes Conference matchup with Buffalo Stallions on Wednesday, June 10, at 7:00 p.m., a regional clash against Erie Commodores FC on Wednesday, June 24, at 7:00 p.m., and the regular-season home finale against Niagara 1812 on Saturday, June 27, at 7:00 p.m. at King Field.

Ambassadors FC Ohio continues to call Malone University home through its valued facilities and media partnership. King Field provides the club with a first-class matchday environment, including the SportsGrass XP playing surface by ForeverLawn NEO, AFC Ohio’s Foundation Title Partner. Malone’s Christ-centered mission and commitment to developing servant leaders align closely with the broader mission of Ambassadors Football.

“Our home matches are about more than soccer,” Bob Dean said. “They are about gathering families, supporters, mission partners, youth players, and community partners around a shared experience. We want people to see high-level football, but we also want them to feel welcomed, encouraged, and connected to something bigger than the game.”

Ambassadors Football is a worldwide football mission headquartered in Twinsburg, Ohio with mission plants in 35 countries globally that was founded in 1990. Locally, Ambassadors Football operates the Ambassadors Football Club, a 500-member youth club with boys and girls teams from under 10 to men’s and women’s senior pre-professional teams. 

The men’s pre-pro side began operations in 2021 in the 6th tier Northern Ohio Soccer League (NOSL) and won the league title in that inaugural season. Beginning in 2022, the men’s side added an Under 23 program for graduating high school-aged players entering college and current collegiate players. The U23 team maintained a presence in the NOSL through 2024, winning the NOSL League Cup in 2024, while the 1st team competed in the 5th tier Ohio Valley Premier League (OVPL) from 2022 through 2024. Last year was the first year for the 1st team competing in the NPSL, while the U23s moved up to the OVPL. The U23s this year will compete in the newly-affiliate NPSL – RL (Regional League) in the Midwest Region.

That mission-driven identity remains central to Ambassadors FC Ohio’s work. The club is part of the larger Ambassadors Football ministry, which uses the platform of soccer to serve communities, develop leaders, and share the love of Christ locally and globally. As Canton and Stark County’s first NPSL club, AFC Ohio continues to bring a unique combination of competitive ambition and missional purpose to the region. When the club joined the NPSL in 2025, the league noted that Ambassadors FC Ohio became the first club in league history to call Canton and Stark County home.

The club’s 2026 season is supported by a strong family of community and mission partners, including SportsGrass by ForeverLawn NEO, Malone University, Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy, Rothenbuhler Cheesemakers, University Hospitals Drusinsky Sports Medicine Institute, Pioneer Trails, Stimulus Athletic, Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, The MNK Legacy Project, Don Polo Mexican Food, State Farm agents Jennifer Corwin and Nykole Morgenroth, Robertson Heating Supply/Rheem, FNA Wealth Management, Boyce Machine, Zavarelli Property & Development, and The Schooner J. & E. Riggin.

New for 2026, Don Polo Mexican Food joins AFC Ohio as the club’s Official Food Truck Vendor, adding local flavor and hospitality to the matchday experience. The Canton-area food truck will serve fans and families during home matches throughout the season.

“We are incredibly grateful for the partners who make this platform possible,” Bob Dean said. “Their investment allows us to operate with professionalism, care for our players, welcome our supporters, and serve our community. Each partner brings something meaningful to the AFC Ohio family, and we do not take that for granted.”

Ambassadors FC Ohio will also continue its mission partnership with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, supporting the Foodbank’s work to address food insecurity across the region. The Foodbank serves hunger-relief partners across eight counties, including Stark and Summit, through food pantries, meal sites, shelters, children’s programs, senior programs, and other hunger-relief efforts.

“As a club and ministry, we believe the platform we have been given through football is meant to serve others,” Bob Dean said. “The Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank is doing essential work in our region, and we are honored to continue supporting that mission.”

On the field, AFC Ohio returns a strong core of players from the 2025 postseason run while also welcoming new talent into the group. The club’s roster blends experienced college standouts, returning veterans, emerging young players, and international talent, giving the technical staff a competitive squad built for the demanding pace of the NPSL summer season.

The 2026 version of AFC Ohio returns many familiar faces and adds significant new faces to the roster. Club captain Omar Najjar (Bath, OH) returns for his sixth season wearing the armband at center back. The veteran leader and member of the Cleveland Crunch championship indoor side provides a foundation in the back. Joining Najjar through the spine of the team is 2nd-year player Yonatan Sorokin (Jerusalem, Israel), a finalist for the MAC-Herman Trophy while at the Univ. of Central Florida and UCLA, along with returning veteran from Baldwin Wallace University Ben McCauley (Tallmadge, OH). 2nd year veteran Max Brown (Aurora, OH), a recent Cedarville University grad, will help anchor the backline as well. 

AFC Ohio will also feature newcomer to the program Jared “Jax” Pena of Walsh University. Pena is the captain of the Philippines U23 National Team and will be the first “fully capped” international to wear the Blue, Black, and White for Ambassadors.

For Ryan Dean, the focus remains on daily standards and a greater purpose.

“We want to compete for results, absolutely,” Ryan Dean said. “But we also want to build men, build leaders, and build a culture that reflects who we are. If we can do that while continuing to improve every week, then this season has the potential to be very meaningful.”

Following the opening victory in Rochester, Ambassadors FC Ohio returns to Canton with early momentum and a clear opportunity to continue building its place in the NPSL landscape. The club’s 2026 campaign will test its depth, discipline, and maturity, but the mission remains consistent: compete with excellence, serve with humility, and represent Northeast Ohio with purpose.

“Ambassadors FC Ohio exists to be more than football,” Bob Dean said. “We want to develop players, leaders, relationships, and opportunities for service. We want to compete at the highest level available to us while remaining rooted in who we are. That is the purpose of our program and our focus for the season.”

Match Summary

A brace by the 2025 Great Lakes Conference MVP Amir Spratt (above), a 2nd half penalty finish by Diego Pinto, and outstanding goalkeeping by first-year keeper Nick Bertolini saw Ambassadors FC Ohio through to defeat defending conference champions Flower City Union 3:1 at the Rochester Community Sports Complex to open the 2026 NPSL campaign. 

In a match that saw concentrated moments of waves of pressure against each side, it was Ambassadors that made the most of those moments and withstood the onslaughts going against them in what proved to be a physical 95 minutes on a breezy, overcast Rochester evening.

“It was most certainly a match of moments to be sure,” said 4th year Head Coach Ryan Dean, a 2025 finalist for national Coach of the Year in the NPSL. “We were brave and strong in the important moments and took advantage of those. It is a great start but it is a marathon season.”

The opening 45 minutes saw action and quality chances at both ends. Ambassadors won a majority of aerial duals and first balls, but also failed to control many of those duals as well. Flower City consistently played to wide spaces for service and chances, but Bertolini made two outstanding saves from distance as well as some unworldly point-blank reaction saves to keep AFC Ohio level going into the interval.

Ambassadors took advantage of a number of first half corners and long throw opportunities, but all of the chances inside the six were off target or over the frame. That commitment to sacrifice and win first balls also stymied Flower City on their corner chances in the half.

In the 45th minute, following a foul against AFC Ohio at the top of the box, Flower City keeper Koki Naito served the restart long into the AFC half but Nate Werthmuller won the first time header that landed at the feet of Matiki Mwibeleca. Matiki played in a rushing Spratt early into a one-on-one with a Flower City centerback. His strength and commitment allowed him to lift the ball past an onrushing Naito to give the visitors a 1:0 lead in the 1st minute of extra time to end the half.

“That was a typical opportunity that Amir makes into something special,” said Dean. “What a massive difference that made after all the sacrifice and suffering we had to endure in the first 45.”

After the interval, the same themes quickly emerged with waves of pressure going in each direction early. In the 51st minute, AFC Ohio centerback Max Brown played a visionary linebreaking pass into the feet of Spratt just inside the half. Spratt sprayed it out wide left to first year midfielder and Philipino U23 International Jax Pena who cut in across the box only to be denied by the Flower City defence. The deflected tackle came to feet of Werthmuller who hit it first time in an attempt on frame, only to have it deflected as it looped to Spratt. The forward took it off his chest and turned to shoot but was denied by a reaction save by Naito. The rebound was fortunate for Spratt as it settled directly to him for a one-touch finish into the bottom right corner putting AFC Ohio up 2:0.

For the next 15 minutes, Ambassadors stayed disciplined in their shape and consistently shut down most possessions and opportunities to play through and around by the Rochester side. Bertolini sent a restart in the 68th minute deep into the Flower City half that Matt Skladany settled and set back to wingback veteran Matt Aspinall. Aspinall found Pena slicing into the penalty area with a pass and Flower City centerback Ryan Fitzgerald clearly cleaned out his feet giving AFC Ohio a chance from the spot. 

Captain and six-year veteran Omar Najjar handed the ball to Diego Pinto who rifled an open foot drive into the right side netting to put Ambassadors up into what seemed like an insurmountable lead in the 71st minute. Pinto, a 2nd year player, was playing his first match since breaking his foot against Flower City in week two of the 2025 season against the same side when they played in Canton a little less than a year ago.

It was that 3rd goal that should have put an exclamation point on the match for AFC Ohio that actually brought Flower City back from the dead. In the 78th minute, Flower City had a set piece service opportunity that AFC Ohio failed to clear cleanly that landed at the feet of Nick Rippe. His hit from just inside the box was deflected and jammed into the net by captain Matt Bamford. And, at that point, the match was back on as the home side tasted blood in the water and were inspired.

Yet Ambassadors held true to their DNA of solid organization, suffering for others in the difficult moments, and held on to ride out the match through all five added minutes. The victory saw AFC Ohio win for the first time in Rochester and defeat Flower City for the first time in three matches after falling 0:3 in the Great Lakes Conference final last summer.

Ambassadors will host their home opener against visiting Rochester NY FC at Dr. David & Winnie King Field on the campus of Malone University in Canton, Ohio next Saturday, May 16 at 5:00 p.m. EDT.

 

Match Summary

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.

Match Summary

Brandon Trujillo sent a looping left-footed finish into the back of the Rochester NY FC net in the 95th minute on Wednesday night in Canton, Ohio, to give them their very first NPSL playoff victory, sending them to the Great Lakes Conference Championship on Saturday in their inaugural season. 

The first 30 minutes of the match were a heavily back-and-forth affair with opportunities being created and stymied by both sides. It almost seemed as if the two teams were testing each other to see how far the other could bend without breaking.

“We generated chance after chance in the first 20 minutes and could not break through,” said Head Coach Ryan Dean. “But the chances we created were nothing compared to the way that we settled in and defended with great commitment and intensity.”

AFC Ohio did have the better of the chances in the first half. Rochester NY FC Sam Adiutori came up big with two very good saves in that 20-minute period, and RNY FC fullbacks sacrificed with some courageous blocks and did well to clear their lines.

The table was set for changes to happen when AFC Ohio veteran center back Dan O’Callaghan went into a solid tackle late in the first half that earned a caution. The risk of a back on a yellow forced the home side to consider making a change going into the break.

Coming out of the break, both sides did their best to open the match up. In the 52nd minute, AFC Ohio’s Adrian Nunez was able to spin out of pressure and found Amir Spratt at the top of the Rochester box. Seeing he wasn’t the only player in white attacking inside the 18, he slipped the ball through the RNY FC back line to Matt Skladaney. Coming fresh off a hat trick in Buffalo on the weekend to give AFC the 2nd seed, Skladany saw the door open for more. As he met the pass, Skladaney cut across the area to his left and calmly sent side netting, giving Ambassadors a 1-0 advantage.

That advantage did not last long. That opening salvo proved to be the catalyst to truly open the match up for both sides.

Just over five minutes after AFC Ohio drew first blood, Rochester NY FC answered the call. After winning a corner kick, RNY FC took advantage of Ambassadors inability to properly clear their lines and Elhadji Sidibe was able to easily redirect the 2nd chance into the back of the net bringing the match even at 1-1 in the 60th min. 

The final 30 minutes then became a mix of a cagey affair, half chances, critical decisions and blocked shots by both sides, and a stalemate of sorts. Both teams made tactical substitutions in preparation for extra time. Trujillo’s insertion into the match in the 76th minute was meant to put a possession-based technical player in a position to stabilize things for for AFC Ohio.

After the center official showed that a minimum of four minutes would be added, Ambassadors seemed to harness a bit more out of their collective batteries. In the 5th added minute, second half substitute Randy Harris was able to pick the ball up on the touchline and carry at speed into RNY half before cutting 30 yards out from goal, showcasing his speed and technique as he beat two defenders. Seeing an opportunity, Harris found Trujillo at the top of the 18, who quickly spun and let a left-footer rip. The ball, slightly deflected, looped over Adiutori sending the home side and supporters into pandemonium, while simultaneously gutting the visitors on the night. 

The last kick of the match came from the center spot on the kickoff. The moment marked Trujillo’s last goal and touch in his last match for Ambassadors FC Ohio before he returns to London, England, truly leaving his mark on the team and in the history of Ambassadors FC Ohio in their first NPSL season. 

With the victory, Ambassadors FC Ohio travels to Rochester, N.Y. on Saturday to face Flower City Union in the Great Lakes Conference Championship at 5:00 p.m. at the Rochester Community Sports Complex.

Match Summary

Reese Utter headed home a corner in the 94th minute to give Ambassadors FC Ohio an improbable 4-3 comeback victory in Buffalo to clinch the 2nd seed in the Great Lakes Conference, earning the right to host a conference semifinal playoff match on Wednesday in Canton, Ohio.

AFC Ohio scored three times in the final 20 minutes of the match after going down 1-3 in the 58th minute. Ambassadors completed this comeback after starting goalkeeper Gavin Hill was forced to leave the match with injury in the 28th minute and was replaced by emergency goalkeeper Amir Spratt. Spratt came into the goal as the #8 ranked goalscorer in the NPSL and topped the Great Lakes Conference in scoring. His double save in the 62nd minute had a significant role in the result of the match. Matt Skladany’s hat trick performance made the difference for the visitors on the night.

Following a foul late in the second minute of the match, Buffalo earned a free kick just outside the corner of the penalty area. Ambassadors FC Ohio’s keeper Hill got a hand on the shot but redirected it back in front of the box, and the Stallions easily finished the second chance, giving them an early 0-1 lead.

From that point on, the match became very back and forth with AFC Ohio keeping the ball on the Buffalo half for extended periods of time finding rhythm and tempo.. AFC did an excellent job of swinging the ball throughout the back line, looking to penetrate and find openings. It became evident through the team’s efforts to keep possession and build out from the back line that their patience and confidence in possession might pay off.

In the 41st minute of the match, Ambassadors won a corner, which was beautifully placed at the top of the keeper’s 6-yard box and to the feet of Reese Utter, who took a chance on goal. While the first shot was blocked by the Stallion keeper, the rebound was met by Matthew Skladany. Skladany’s second chance was slightly deflected but trickled over the line bringing the visitors even going into halftime.

Coming out of the break, the Stallions pressed a bit higher than the 1st half and Ambassadors were a bit flat. In the 49th minute, Buffalo pressed on the right flank and sent a driven cross into the six-yard box. In an attempt to redirect the cross, Jacob Irani redirected the ball past Spratt at the near post and the own goal put Buffalo back on top.

Shortly after, Buffalo once again found themselves in possession of the ball in the AFC area. The Stallions whipped one across the face of the goal that Spratt could not secure and Keegan Hermann easily touched in the sitter to give the Stallions a 1-3 lead in the 58th minute. 

Down two goals and knowing that a draw would be meaningless in the seeding, Ambassadors changed shape and inserted veteran attacker Bryan Kern to increase the tempo and create opportunities in the front third. 

Then, in the 76th minute, Jordan Akins crossed the ball to the back post, where Skladany touched and volleyed the ball near post past the keeper and into the Buffalo goal, closing the goal deficit and igniting the fire blazing within the visiting team. At that point, it was all to play for.

Following the goal, AFC Ohio inserted veteran captain and center-back Omar Najjar into the match-up front to increase the experience and provide a different threat. Just three minutes later in the 80th, Najjar was fouled inside the box while driving to the goal, drawing a penalty. With cool, calm composure, Skladany stepped up to the spot and drove a low shot inside the left post and past the outstretched hands of the keeper, bringing Ambassadors even at 3-3 and within a goal of the 2nd seed.

The game became very stretched at the point with the Stallions on the back foot and AFC Ohio throwing players forward and continuing to pressure the backline. The 4th official held up the board showing five added minutes. In the 94th, AFC won a corner with their pressure. Spratt came up into the box with nothing left to lose. Brenden Swann served and Reese Utter was first to it to redirect a perfect header into the net giving AFC the most improbable come-from-behind victory on the night.

Ambassadors FC Ohio won the right to host a Great Lakes Conference semifinal match in their inaugural season in the NPSL. The match is tentatively scheduled for Wednesday, July 9 at 7:00 p.m. at Dr. David & Winnie King Field in Canton, Ohio.

Match Summary

In their final home match of the regular season, Ambassadors FC Ohio dominated the Erie Commodores en route to a 4-1 victory, clinching a playoff berth in their inaugural season in the NPSL. 

The Blues had a spark ignited inside them stemming from a 1-3 loss at Erie last week, and that spark became a blazing fire in the early minutes of the match. In just the second minute of the match, AFC Ohio midfielder Yoni Sorokine drove a flighted serve to Randy Harris on a dime, racing down the left flank. Harris drove to the byline and delivered a perfectly-timed cross to Amir Spratt. From there, a simple one-touch into the back of the Commodores’ goal opened up the scoring in the match.

“Once you get one early, it kind of builds the confidence,” explained AFC captain Omar Najjar. “Everybody gets that extra boost of energy.”

AFC Ohio drew first blood and wanted more, having the early advantage against one of the two teams that had bested them this season. In the nineteenth minute of the match, Aiden Eck took a ball from the middle third and broke the last line of the Erie defence and drew and foul in the area, earning a penalty…the game’s first of five yellow cards. Sorokine calmly stepped up and placed the ball past the Commodores keeper, providing AFC Ohio with 2-0 advantage.

In the 24th minute of the match, Spratt demonstrated once again why he is a constant source of energy, and a forever menace to opponents as he won a tackle just inside the middle third of pitch and drove to the near post to fire home the third of the first half for Ambassadors, putting the hosts up 3-0 barely one quarter of the way through the match.

As the first half wound down, the physicality was ramping up. In a hard tackle during the 43rd minute, Erie’s Charles Peterson was shown a quick double-yellow card, turning it into a red, taking him out of the match, and forcing his team to play with ten for the duration of the evening as the half concluded.

Despite the score and playing a player down, the Commodores never lost their passion and intensity. In the 71st minute of the match, Erie’s Owen Peterson put the Commodores on the score sheet, bringing the score to 3-1 and momentarily adding some tension to the contest that had seemed done and dusted at that point.

AFC Ohio was not done yet. Second half sub Adrian Nunez, returning to duty after participating in the TST Tournament against the likes of Sergio Aguero, took a driven cross from the opposite flank and drilled a shot at the Commodores keeper Harry O’Brien, only to have Brandon Trujillo of AFC Ohio there to meet the rebound, opening up his NPSL account and putting the result to bed in the 77th minute.

“We simply went out to win tonight,” said Trujillo following the match. “Plain and simple.”

The victory assures AFC Ohio of a playoff match in the Great Lakes Conference. They have a bit more to play for as the 2nd seed in the conference playoffs is still up for grabs. 

“Acceptable effort is no longer acceptable at this stage,” said Ryan Dean, Ambassadors FC Ohio’s head coach. “It has to be exceptional.”

This “exceptional” expectation will head to Buffalo, N.Y. this Saturday, July 5 as Ambassadors travel to North Tonawanda High School for the final regular season match of the NPSL campaign against the host Buffalo Stallions at 7:00 p.m.

Match Summary

Ambassadors FC Ohio regained their footing in the NPSL Great Lakes Conference in a 3-1 victory over Rochester NY FC at Malone University in Canton, Ohio, bouncing back from a disappointing performance in Erie one week prior. 

The match began with RNY FC well on the front foot, and AFC Ohio pinned back for the majority of the first 25 minutes. The Ambassadors back five were able to expertly thwart the attacks and attempts from the visiting side while not surrendering a quality chance. Goalkeeper Gavin Hill was busy, but not tested severely.

The tone of the match completely changed against the run of play when a Rochester back pass to their goalkeeper was pressured by AFC Ohio’s leading scorer, Amir Spratt. Spratt pressed the goalkeeper just outside the six-yard box, forcing the keeper to take out the legs of the forward after he took the ball off him, resulting in a penalty. Midfielder Yoni Sorokine stepped up and sent the keeper diving to the left while he calmly put the ball away to the right side, breaking the deadlock in the 37th minute of the match, putting AFC up 1-0.This goal was exactly what Ambassadors needed to change the flow of the game in their favor. After grabbing the lead in the match, AFC truly began competing at a whole new level. They created several more opportunities through creative runs and looks at the goal as the half wound down. 

In the last minute of the half, Rochester NY FC created a truly dangerous opportunity in the AFC area, resulting in not only a tremendous save by Hill, but a sacrificial block by Jacob Irani and more than one man in white putting their body on the line to defend the last corner of the half. Had they not been as steely and committed in the moment, they likely would have been walking out of this half level. 

As the second half commenced, AFC’s Hill continued to showcase his athleticism and skill with two outstanding saves, and nearly all attempts until the 53rd minute, when Rochester got past Hill before Alex Depperschmidt made a goal line clearance to keep things level. 

Less than a minute later, the RNY FC intensity and press paid off as a failure to substantially clear their lines resulted in the ball being buried in the back of the net past the formidable Hill from about 24 yards out, bringing the score level at 1-1 in the 54th minute.

But that goal proved to be the wake-up call in the 2nd stanza for the home side. Amir Spratt earned the game’s first of four yellow cards in a contested duel inside the final third. Only a few seconds after play resumed, a Rochester NY SC player was immediately shown yellow after undercutting Depperschmidt in a contested header. Depperschmidt was forced to leave the match with a head injury under precaution.

As the match became a bit stretched following the substitution, AFC Ohio gained a foothold in ball progression and possession. In the 67th minute, Spratt’s strength and deftness on the turn were on display once again as he spun around the hard-pressing RNY FC player just inside the area and sent the ball soaring into the upper right-hand 90 and right past the outstretched RNY keeper, giving AFC the lead in the match once again and bringing the score to 2-1

Following the goal, AFC built to a new level of confidence, playing with small, skillful, composed touches, increasing their passing tempo, and putting the RNY FC backline under pressure consistently with line breaking passes into the half spaces outside the 18 and putting their wing backs into one on ones on both flanks. Substitutes Brenden French and Davis Novak changed the tone of the match on both sides of the pitch. 

In added time, RNY showed they were much more than just a formidable opponent on the day, once again putting AFC Ohio on the back foot. Despite this push, Ambassadors were able to hold their defensive shape and display the lockdown defense that has been their foundation in their inaugural NPSL campaign.

In the last minute of added time, as RNY FC committed everyone forward to force an equalizer, Randy Harris ran onto an AFC defensive clearance just inside his own half with one to beat. With a defender on his heels and no one in front of him except for the keeper, Harris was able to dribble past and round the keeper, tucking the ball inside the near post to seal the visitors’ fate on the day. Knowing he would receive the game’s last yellow card, he celebrated with a back flip and removed his jersey before being flashed a caution, giving the referee a high-five in the process.

With momentum from the win, Ambassadors FC Ohio will host the Erie Commodores in a pivotal divisional rematch on Wednesday, July 2 at 7:00 pm at Dr. David & Winnie King Field on the campus of Malone University in Canton, Ohio.