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.

Match Summary

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

Match Summary

Under the lights of Baldwin Wallace’s Tressel Field, Ambassadors FC Ohio laid down a marker for their third victory in their inaugural NPSL season against Cleveland SC, marking the halfway point of their season. 

Both teams probed their opponents early on with two very different styles. Ambassadors did not seem to mind not having the majority of possession and playing for the counter with a compact shape, while Cleveland SC established their possession, trying to open up the AFC block. It really never worked for CSC.

It was clear from the beginning that CSC identified Ambassadors FC Ohio’s forward Amir Spratt as an imminent threat. His speed remained unmatched, his deftness on the turn undefendable, and his individual work rate relentless, knocking on the door time and again early on. In the 19th minute, Spratt broke through the Cleveland SC back line on his own. With only the rapidly approaching keeper to beat, Spratt kept his composure and slipped it past him to put the visitors up 1-0.

Cleveland SC had some great looks early and opportunities throughout the first half. Caydence Robinson came up with a stellar stop diving to his left early in the match to frustrate the orange and black. The home team’s tactic in getting past Ambassadors’ back line was a combination of going over the top, or drawing the backline out. Teamwork and solid tactics were clearly on display as AFC Ohio continued to stay compact, organized, and focused on the “bend not break” philosophy they adhere to, keeping the score at 1-0 going into the break at the half.

A Maradona turn in the 52nd minute by Spratt broke him away from the Cleveland back line, where he skillfully rounded the keeper, passing the ball into a wide open goal, resulting in a 2-0 lead. 

“When you score a goal, you obviously have the confidence to keep going on,” said lead goal-scorer, Amir Spratt. “All credit to my teammates for putting me in the perfect situation to put one in the back of the net.”

After a ball over the AFC back line following the restart, captain Omar Najjar halted the breakaway and dangerous shot attempt with a clean and impeccably-timed tackle, playing only the ball, and stopping the attacker in his tracks. From that point on, it became evident that while possession was fairly uneven in the first half, AFC established more of the ball in the second.

In the 78th minute, Alex Depperschmidt received a precision line-breaking pass from Yani Sorokine and quickly drilled the shot near post past the CSC keeper, giving him absolutely no time to react, and increasing the deficit for Cleveland SC to 3-0.

Wanting to take no chances in maintaining a clean sheet, Ambassadors sat back and absorbed more and more pressure, cutting off passing lanes, picking off searching balls, and winning duals that they were losing in the first half. AFC was quick to quash any potential opportunity created by Cleveland and took every chance they had to counter them as well.

And, the counter served them well. In the 86th minute, following a turnover and successful counterpress by Reese Utter, Josh Lord then found Utter on the break following a tight and tidy little combination to beat the CSC defenders. Utter was in and was clinical, writing the final exclamation point on the 4-0 evening for the white and blue.

There were a total of three yellow cards issued to Cleveland SC in the match, including their keeper for the second time against AFC this season, while Yoni Sorokine picked up the only caution for the visitors late in the match. There were fouls throughout the game, however, the vast majority were a result of clean tackles gone slightly wrong. There were times, especially in the latter half, when CSC put the “contact” in contact sport, but Ambassadors FC Ohio met these attempts with strength and agility. 

Ambassadors and Cleveland SC also took the opportunity tonight to recognize the family of Hayden Kaiser, an original AFC Ohio player who was tragically killed in an automobile accident four years ago to the day. The captains of both sides presented his mother and family with a set of framed kits that display his number, and the commemorative shoulder patches that don every AFC Ohio kit and always will.

A set of Bible verses that spoke strongly to Hayden was shared with everyone in the stadium: “For I am sure that neither death nor life, nor angels nor rulers, nor things present nor things to come, nor powers, nor height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord,” Romans 8:38-29.

AFC Ohio now moves on to play a benefit charity friendly match against USL2 side Akron City FC at Green Street Stadium in Akron, Ohio this Saturday night at 7:00 p.m. All ticket proceeds will go to benefit AFC Ohio’s partnership with the Akron-Canton Regional Foodbank, the agency that serves both the Akron and Canton region and their battle against food insecurity.