Match Summary

In a scrappy, hard-fought battle of a match, Ambassadors FC Ohio drew Cleveland SC 1-1on match day three. While CSC had the upper hand of seven years seniority in the NPSL, AFC came into the match higher in the table on goal difference. With the long-standing rivalry between the two Ohio-based teams, excitement was simmering below the surface as the two faced off, sure to make history tonight.

This match saw the debut of three AFC players, all of whom had a big impact on the result of the match: Ben Mihalek, Gavin Hill, and Max Brown. Mihalek was an excellent addition to Ambassadors FC Ohio’s team of lockdown defenders, playing very clean, giving up no fouls, and making his physical presence known and felt.

Barely two minutes into the match, AFC front runner Randy Harris maneuvered his way into a breakaway in the visiting 18-yard box where he was clipped from behind by a Cleveland SC player who was awarded the match’s first of five yellow cards. This young player is no stranger to the home team. Former AFC player Uleto Fuentes was known for his speed, skill, and technicality, making him a formidable opponent for his former team and someone to be aware of on the pitch. 

The slippery conditions proved to be something both teams needed to adjust to, as opportunities and breakaways like that of AFC’s Harris in the fifth minute. With how quick the ball moved, the players needed to be just as fast if they were looking to make any threatening attack.  By the he eighth minute, Ambassador FC Ohio had won several different set pieces but were unable to capitalize on any. With as many attempts at the goal as they had, it was clear that AFC’s intensity was there from the start.

The AFC Ohio counter attack was dangerous all night long as they sat in a compact block. In just the thirteenth minute of the match, Harris won the ball in a breakaway, where he ripped a close shot straight at the CSC keeper. Only seconds after, a deflection off of the keeper was picked up by AFC midfielder Aidan Eck, who tapped the ball home to beat the remaining Cleveland SC defenders, finishing the rebound and putting Ambassadors FC Ohio in the lead.

A good portion of the half dominated by the AFC counter. But despite several opportunities coming a fraction away from success, Ambassadors FC Ohio was unable to finish any attempts. The later stages of the first stanza saw some cracks in the AFC block and a bit of chippiness as both sides fatigued seeing Cleveland SC gain yet another yellow card. 

Similar to Flower City Union last Saturday, Cleveland SC came out of the gates in the second half with a new fire, catching AFC on slips and simple mistakes. Despite this, Ambassadors FC Ohio did an excellent job of maintaining shape and structure. Eck was a truly dominant figure in the match for the all whites as a ball winner, covering ground in the middle of the park, and as an attacking threat on the ball and off the ball. Eck became a force to be reckoned with through the entirety of the match. 

After going in for a tackle in the 59th minute, Omar Najjar took on the third yellow card of the match to stop a CSC offensive attack before it could snowball into something out of control. Five minutes later, Cleveland SC found an opening outside the area and drove a ball past the dive of Gavin Hill to even out the score at 1-1.

Offsides was a frequent refrain in the match for both sides.. Just past the halfway mark in the second half, Ambassadors FC Ohio strung together perfect split passes which resulted in another goal, however a player was offsides nullifying goal and kept the score at 1-1. 

As the clock continued to run down, the scrappiness and fatigue of both teams picked up, showcasing the long-standing rivalry between the two teams who have competed only in friendlies prior to this evening. Similar to the first half, the second half consisted of countless fouls, and back and forth barbs between the teams. The frustrations of the away team became quite clear to all spectators in the final minutes of the match, as the Cleveland SC was assessed two cautions in the same stoppage directed at their staff and bench personnel.

The final two minutes of the match were spent mostly in the CSC half of the field with Ambassadors creating a number of half chances. Nevertheless, the match concluded as a 1-1 draw.

Ambassadors FC Ohio will now go on the road again this coming Saturday 5/31 to Lewiston, N.Y.  to battle new NPSL foe Niagara 1812 at 7:00 p.m. on the campus of Niagara University in Lewiston, N.Y.

Match Summary

After a physical, hard-fought battle, Ambassadors FC Ohio fell to Flower City Union 2-1 on the chilly spring evening in the home opener of their debut NPSL season. As the sun set on King Field in Pioneer Park at Malone University in Canton, Ohio, so did the possibility for a two-game win streak.

As the first half started, both teams came out of the gate strong, but one team began pulling ahead. AFC Ohio met the high pressure of Flower City with solid technique and combinations. Despite the cohesion of the home team, Flower City Union was able to hone in on the small mistakes and some misreads and use them to create buildups. While there was the very rare miscommunication from AFC, it was clear from the first whistle of the game that Ambassadors players were picking up on the tendencies of each other, furthering the team chemistry as one united front.

Early in the match, Amir Spratt was able to break away from the back line of FCU to have the uncommon opportunity to go one-on-one with the keeper outside of the box, but was turned away for the first of many Ambassadors corner kicks.

Just a few minutes later, Jordan Akins was able to beat Flower City defenders and break the lines with an excellently-placed cross to Diego Pinto, who tapped the ball in for a calm goal into the bottom back left corner. This finish by the young player was a clear testament to the skillful maturity Pinto brings to every match.

One of the key components of the success of the 1st half was the calmness and security of the AFC back line led by captain Omar Najjar. Jordan Akins was consistently solid in the tackle, giving the referees nothing to contest. Strategic runs down the flanks paired with lockdown defense made wingback Alex Depperschmidt a formidable threat to FCU early in the match; however, the explosiveness Flower City Union counterattack brought to the game was finally capitalized on. 

In a very eventful five minutes, FCU player Andrew O’Neil (77) received the first of three overall yellow cards in the match after attempting to head the ball out of Ambassadors goalkeeper Caydence Robinson’s hands. Less than a minute later, O’Neil was able to turn frustration into fire as he beat the AFC back line with his speed and technique, calmly chipping the ball to the back right post and past the reach of Robinson, tying up the game. Shortly after making his mark in the game, he was subbed out for injury.

The remainder of the half seemed to maintain a steady pace with sporadic bursts of energy by both sides. Though there were several more ambitious attempts by both teams, the half concluded with a score of 1-1.

Early during the second half, the FCU starting keep immediately went down after a distribution with an obvious non-contact injury and had to be replaced. Despite the change of keepers,  Flower City remained locked in on its intention of winning its second game. Every time the away team lost possession, they immediately stepped up their pressure to gain possession back. 

The precision of FCU was clearly on display with their second goal of the game in the 65th minute. The calm, composed volley by Dylan Rice from Haato Efune was a laser to the back of the Ambassadors net, creating a gap between the two teams and gaining the upper hand.

As Ambassadors tried to regain footing, composure, confidence, and quality, they played a bit rushed, shaken by their conceded goal. The frustration of AFC was seen by the elevated level of physicality they initiated, which was met with a similar mentality from the opposing team. This funk was short-lived as Ambassadors FC Ohio began recollecting themselves and played like the team the home fans know and love.

After solid defensive stands by both teams, and two Ambassadors shots that hit the woodwork, the game concluded in a 2-1 loss for the home team, and the first in their NPSL infancy.

“It’s a tough match because we know it could have been different with better finishing, but that doesn’t excuse some of the mistakes,” said AFC Technical Director and Head Coach Ryan Dean. “The season isn’t defined by one result, and we will need to come together. We will improve.”

With hopes of another win, Ambassadors FC Ohio will host long-time and local rival Cleveland Soccer Club next Wednesday, May 28, at 7:00 pm at Dr. David & Winnie King Field on the campus of Malone University in Canton, Ohio.

Match Summary

Despite the rainy, slippery conditions, Ambassadors FC Ohio hit the road in their debut in the NPSL to achieve a hard-fought 4:0 victory over Syracuse FC. Ambassadors was looking to start the season and their debut on a national platform off strong in the first half of the match, and that’s exactly what they did. 

After a dominating start to the match, Ambassadors FC dominated possession before truly falling into the rhythm. Multiple wins in duals, throw-ins, and corner kicks foreshadowed the outcome for the away team in their evening match in New York. The buildup from the backline to the offensive front proved to be a united, powerful force, making it evident that intensity was there from the start.

In just the ninth minute of the game, AFC Ohio wingback Jordan Akins served a brilliant ball to a streaking Diego Pinto who beat the keeper on the near post, setting the tone and a constant theme for the remaining 81 minutes early on. But this was only the first goal of many.

Just over eleven minutes later, an Ambassadors throw-in resulted in yet another split pass, with the forward Amir Spratt taking the shot and meeting nothing but net. Less than two minutes after his first NPSL career goal, Spratt gained possession through a breakaway and delivered his second goal with precision. Spratt extended his lead as the all-time leader in goal contributions in AFC Ohio history. As they continued to hold the majority of possession, AFC battled out against Syracuse for the remainder of the first half, holding their 3:0 lead.

As the second half commenced, Syracuse came out with a new energy and pressed high. That tactic was met with an increased intensity from Ambassadors. Although breakaways were nothing uncommon in this game, Spratt added flair and finesse to the final goal in the game. With his third goal, he beat two SFC defenders and the keeper in 1-v-1’s and slide tackles, furthering his hot streak and deepening the deficit of the home team. 

Diego Pinto tangles with and SFC defender after he opened the scoring for the AFC Ohio in the 9th minute en route to a 4:0 win

This early goal in the second half served as key to holding onto the momentum that AFC Ohio held throughout the remainder of the game. The rest of the match held fouls and highly contested plays, and despite an injury midway through the second half of the game to substitute centerback Asher Hart, Ambassadors continued to hold their concrete defense against Syracuse.

The fate of the match was sealed in the last five minutes as SFC nearly broke the away team’s repeated success as they skillfully maneuvered towards the goal. Their close call and final shot was shut down by Ambassadors’ defender Omar Najjar with an incredible clearance off the goal line, preserving the team’s and goalkeeper Caydence Robinson’s first NPSL clean sheet and 4:0 victory.

While the team is playing to win, they also have a greater purpose. Ambassadors Football Club Ohio’s Director of Men’s Football Operations Bob Dean provided insight, explaining how, “We are so blessed to be representing this ministry and all of our ministry partners around the world. And, to open up our first season on a national platform with an outstanding clean sheet is very humbling.”

This mission serves as a huge motivator for the organization, fueling the team like the hat trick-achieving Amir Spratt. “He doesn’t score goals, goals just find him,” said AFC Ohio Head Coach Ryan Dean. “He earns it with his effort.”

The efforts of the team in Saturday’s match are a testament to the level they are now competing at, one higher than they ever have before, leaving a wake in the NPSL and foreshadowing the season ahead. “Not only do we belong here, but we can have success as well,” said Ryan Dean.

Continuing the energy, intensity, and effort will be the biggest motivators in preparation for AFC Ohio’s first home game in the NPSL. They will host Flower City Union out of Rochester next Saturday, May 24 at 7:00 p.m. at Dr. David & Winnie King Field on the campus of Malone University in Canton, Ohio.

The 2025 season for both the NPSL and OVPL starts in just a few weeks! We can’t wait to see you this season! If you would like to purchase tickets, you can go here.

Ambassadors Football Mission Statement:

To communicate the Good News of Jesus to all people through football.

For Ambassadors FC Ohio, our connection to the Global mission means we will be a front-facing arm & mechanism of the ministry to communicate the Gospel to all who are suppliers and consumers of our operations in every way

To see transformation through football ministry in every country and culture.

For Ambassadors FC Ohio, we want to see transformation start with our own players and staff, within the communities we serve, and prayerfully throughout the football culture we are a part of.

🚨 Our 2025 u23 schedule in the OVPL 🚨

Our u23 team will be competing this summer in the Ohio Valley Premier League (OVPL) where we have fielded a team since the 2022 season.

See you at the pitch 👀

Reintroducing our home field for the 2025 season… King Field on the beautiful campus of Malone University.

We also get to play on the best playing surface in the business. 😎🌱

🚨 2025 NPSL Schedule 🚨

Various season ticket packages, and individual match tickets are for sale now.

We can’t wait to see you this season on the campus of Malone University’s Dr. David & Winnie King Field at Pioneer Park!

Come enjoy the highest level of pre-professional soccer in northeast Ohio in a fun, family-friendly environment this summer.