User:Keskkonnakaitse/2018 Cleveland SC season

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Cleveland SC
2018 season
OwnerSamuel Seibert
Head coachRyan Osborne
StadiumDon Shula Stadium
National Premier Soccer LeagueMidwest–East: 2nd
NPSL playoffsRegional semifinal
Top goalscorerLeague: Vinny Bell (8)
All: Vinny Bell (11)
2019 →

The 2018 Cleveland SC season was the club's first season of existence and first season in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the fourth tier of American soccer. The season covered the period from February 19, 2018 to the start of the 2019 NPSL season.

After AFC Cleveland was expelled from the league following the 2017 season, Cleveland SC was created and announced as an NPSL expansion club on February 19, 2018. In the next 90 days, CSC unveiled a color scheme, crest, and kits; announced Ryan Osborne as the first head coach of the club; finalized Don Shula Stadium as its home stadium; put together a roster; and played two friendly matches against FC Columbus, the debut of the CheeseBarn Derby. On May 19, Cleveland defeated Rochester Lancers, 2–0, in the first match in club history. Cleveland finished in second place in the East Conference and qualified for the playoffs, ending the regular season three points clear of the Lancers for the final postseason berth in the East. In the Midwest Region playoffs, CSC defeated conference rivals Erie Commodores in the regional quarterfinals before falling to AFC Ann Arbor in the semifinals.

Forward Vinny Bell finished as Cleveland's leading scorer, putting home eight goals in the regular season and three more in the playoffs for a total of 11 goals in 10 appearances. Forward Antonio Manfut was the only player to appear in all 14 games on the season, scoring four goals. Several notable players appeared for Cleveland SC: forward Riley Grant scored one goal in seven appearances and midfielder Kotaro Umeda tallied one goal in four games. Midfielder Joe Schmidt was on the roster but did not make an appearance. Defender Bradley Ruhaak was named to the initial Cleveland roster, but he departed the club before the start of the regular season.

Review and events[edit]

For the previous six seasons, from 2012 to 2017, AFC Cleveland had represented the city of Cleveland in the National Premier Soccer League. That run included an NPSL national championship in 2016, as well as two appearances in the U.S. Open Cup.[1] However, the club was expelled from the NPSL due to "not [being] in good financial standing with the league."[2] That announcement came on December 12, 2017, just months before the new season was set to begin.[3]

After AFC Cleveland folded, two players – defenders Chris Cvecko and Coletun Long – came together in an effort to keep competitive soccer alive in Cleveland. After eating dinner at a Chipotle Mexican Grill in the suburbs, the two started a conversation in the car about forming a new club, wrote down ideas, and began calling numerous people to potentially be involved: "potential owners, investors, players, organizers, media members, the NPSL, and even trainers and doctors."[4] After two days without success, they were put in contact with Samuel Seibert, who had worked on the media relations staff for AFC Cleveland the prior season. Seibert had the same thought about creating a new club, and "was only about two or three days from contacting Coletun myself...He contacted me on a Wednesday night and I was going to call him that weekend. Those two were so passionate about sticking together.”[5]

On February 19, 2018, Cleveland Soccer Club was officially announced as a member of the National Premier Soccer League, playing in the Midwest Region, East Conference. Seibert became the sole investor and president of Cleveland SC Corp.[4] In the announcement, he said: "Cleveland SC is going to bring a fanbase filled with pride. Cleveland has a soccer fan base that is a sleeping giant and we intend to tap into that immediately. Cleveland has the best sports fans anywhere and our opponents will learn that quickly.”[6]

Cleveland SC has realistic goals for 2018 both on and off the pitch. First and foremost, the team plans on increasing the awareness to the communities in Greater Cleveland that a talented team in the sport of soccer rests right here in Cleveland, Ohio. On the field, we fully expect to compete for the conference title through building a roster comprised of the most talented players and coaches available. Additionally, we fully expect to form and maintain all facets of the team organically through partnerships exclusively from the great city of Cleveland.

— Samuel Seibert[7]

Preseason[edit]

Creating an identity[edit]

After becoming the last NPSL expansion team for the 2018 season, Cleveland SC had just 90 days to create a club before the regular season opener on May 19.[4] The visual identity was decided first: a black and orange color scheme was paired with a crest featuring one of the Guardians of Traffic statues on the Hope Memorial Bridge in Downtown Cleveland.[8] Seibert said the reason for the choice was that “one of the coolest things in the city of Cleveland that wasn’t getting enough publicity at the time was our transportation bridge” and because the bridge connects the east and west sides of the city.[1] The kits were designed by club creative director Cory Mizer, with the orange home shirt featuring a depiction of the Cleveland skyline and the black away shirt featuring an orange chevron across the chest, with the shape of the chevron inspired by the shape of the Lake Erie shoreline. Admiral Sportswear manufactured the inaugural kits for CSC.[8]

When Cleveland SC was founded, Carter Poe was immediately rumored as a potential head coaching candidate. Poe, the AFC Cleveland head coach during their NPSL national championship season, was mentioned as a possibility by Seibert, who said that CSC would be interested in having further discussions to have him coach the new team.[4] However, Cleveland SC went in a different direction: Ryan Osborne was announced as the club's inaugural head coach on March 13. A native of Wakefield, England, "Ozzy" came to the United States to play at the University of Charleston and spent one season in the Premier Development League with West Virginia Chaos.[9] When he accepted the position with Cleveland, Osborne was also working as an assistant coach for the Notre Dame Falcons and as a staff coach for the Cleveland Internationals youth club.[10]

To find a home stadium, the club turned to Hector Marinaro, the head men's soccer coach at John Carroll.[5] Marinaro, who had played indoors for the Cleveland Force and Cleveland Crunch and served as head coach of the Cleveland Freeze, helped the club reach a deal to play at Don Shula Stadium in University Heights, Ohio.[11] The John Carroll connections continued through to the roster, as multiple Blue Streaks players, including Hector's son, Jesse Marinaro, signed on to the inaugural Cleveland SC squad. The club announced a preliminary roster in early April that featured 29 players, many of whom had previously been with AFC Cleveland. Two former professionals were among the notable names: Riley Grant, a forward who spent the prior season with Seattle Sounders FC 2, and Bradley Ruhaak, a defender previously with North Carolina FC.[12]

Friendlies against Columbus[edit]

"This series is to show off the amazing grassroots talent Ohio brings to the table. Both Cleveland and Columbus markets deserve quality soccer that considers its focus back on them, the communities that support us. The sport continues to grow all over the world while Cleveland and Columbus have the strongest of fans; it only makes sense both teams square off to prove our potential.”

—Samuel Seibert, club owner and president[13]

Ahead of the season, Cleveland SC scheduled two friendly matches against fellow NPSL expansion club FC Columbus.[13] The supporters' groups of the two clubs immediately branded the series as the CheeseBarn Derby, named after Grandpa's Cheesebarn, a landmark business that sits roughly halfway between the two cities on Interstate 71 in Ashland, Ohio.[5] CSC scheduled its home leg to be played at Highland Stadium in Medina, Ohio, marking the highest-level soccer game ever held in Medina County. In the first match in club history, Cleveland spotted Columbus a two-goal lead at the break before Admir Suljevic scored the club's first-ever goal, a penalty kick in the 65th minute. Ben Truax added a second, but Cleveland was defeated by a 3–2 scoreline.[14] Two days later, CSC returned the favor with a 3–2 victory in the away leg. Suljevic scored the winning goal on another penalty kick, following first-half tallies from Mike Derezic and Vinny Bell, as Cleveland earned a split in the inaugural CheeseBarn Derby series.[15]

Final roster[edit]

On April 24, Cleveland SC announced its official roster for the season.[16] The 33-player squad included five players who had not been listed on the preliminary roster but also dropped one, as forward Ma'Cain Spragling eventually wound up indoors with San Diego Sockers 2 in the Major Arena Soccer League 2.[17] Several notable players were among the inclusions: alongside Grant and Ruhaak, future professionals Joe Schmidt and Kotaro Umeda (both in college soccer at the time) were selected in the squad.[18] However, there were further changes before Cleveland took the field for the season opener. Ruhaak left the team to play for Michigan Bucks in their 2018 U.S. Open Cup run and five more players were added to the squad.[19] One of those was the club's equipment manager, Stephen Trudic, who was registered as a player to go with his off-field duties.[20]

NPSL regular season[edit]

May[edit]

Cleveland SC kicked off its inaugural season on May 19, hosting Rochester Lancers at the Don Shula. CSC had an early opportunity to take the lead, but Admir Suljevic, who scored two penalty kicks in preseason, missed one off the post to keep the match scoreless.[21] It was left to Declan McGivern to score the first goal in club history: Antonio Manfut sent in a corner kick in the 39th minute that McGivern rose to head home. Manfut added a goal of his own in the second half, converting Cleveland's second penalty kick opportunity of the day, and the home team walked away victorious in the first match in club history, 2–0 over the Lancers.[22] The following week, Cleveland welcomed Greater Binghamton FC to University Heights and came away with the largest victory in club history, a 10–0 result. Mike Derezic was the star, completing the first hat-trick in club history with a penalty kick in the 81st minute. Suljevic scored twice, while five other players also tallied in the rout.[23] Through two games, Cleveland sat in second place in the East Conference table and averaged 200 to 300 fans in attendance per game.[24]

June[edit]

Cleveland SC kicked off a busy month of June, featuring nine of the club's 12 regular season matches, with their first-ever road games. Against FC Buffalo on June 1, CSC was stymied in a scoreless draw as Buffalo goalkeeper Steven Casey made seven saves.[25] Vinny Bell and Umeda each had chances to break the deadlock but were unable to find a winner in the Rust Belt Derby match.[26] One week later, Cleveland continued its unbeaten start to the season with a 5–0 victory away to Greater Binghamton. Bell nabbed a hat-trick, his first goals for the club, scoring twice in three minutes just before halftime then notching the third in the 57th minute.[27] Danny Ruple and Umeda added goals as Cleveland continued its four-game shutout run to begin its inaugural NPSL season.[28]

However, that shutout run came to an end two days later as Cleveland SC suffered the first defeat in club history, falling 3–1 against Fort Pitt Regiment.[29] Two goals from Anthony Virgara carried Fort Pitt to the win, with Cleveland's lone score coming in second half stoppage time: Ruple forced a Regiment own goal.[30] The Cleveland rut then deepened over the next two matches, with a 1–1 draw on the road against Rochester followed by a 3–3 tie against Buffalo.[31] CSC had to come from behind in both games. Against Rochester, Cvecko scored in the 74th minute after Cleveland had trailed for more than 60 minutes.[32] Two days later against Buffalo, CSC trailed by two goals at the break but battled back to tie by the 90th minute. The visitors took the lead seven minutes deep in stoppage time, but Cleveland found one more opportunity and salvaged a draw in the ninth minute of added time.[33] Through seven games, Cleveland sat outside the playoff places in the East Conference.[34]

By the end of June, however, Cleveland SC had clinched a playoff spot in its inaugural season, thanks to a four-match winning streak (combined with the two draws, a six-match unbeaten streak) to close the month. A stretch of three games in six days began with a 3–0 victory on the road against Fort Pitt, as James Haupt scored his first goal in the black and orange before Suljevic and Derezic added goals in the second half.[35] In midweek, Cleveland defeated Erie Commodores in the first meeting between the clubs, courtesy of a Vinny Bell hat-trick, his second of the season.[36] Casey Bartlett-Scott scored the first Erie goal but missed a penalty kick early in the second half that kept the door open for the CSC comeback win.[37]

Back-to-back victories against Syracuse FC were then enough to put Cleveland over the line and into the NPSL playoffs. At home at the Don Shula, Suljevic scored a brace and Grant tallied his first goal for the club in a 4–0 victory that moved CSC into the top spot in the conference.[38] The following week, on the road in New York, a 44th-minute goal from Manfut was enough to hand Cleveland a 1–0 victory and clinch a postseason spot with one game still to play.[39]

July[edit]

Although Cleveland SC had just one regular season match on the schedule in July, it was perhaps the most influential match of the season. The rivalry game against Erie determined the East Conference title, and along with it a higher seed and home-field advantage in the Midwest Region playoffs. Heading into the game, the clubs were tied on 24 points, but Cleveland held the tiebreaker due to its win in the first meeting between the teams.[40] However, CSC sat multiple regular starters: Tom Beck, Derezic, Long, and Suljevic all missed the game due to lingering injuries. The Commodores took the lead in the 34th minute, but just four minutes later, Erie goalkeeper Nicolau Neto was shown a red card for a foul just outside the box.[41] Bartlett-Scott then scored in the 41st minute to put the 10-man hosts up by two goals. Bell pulled a goal back for Cleveland in the second half, but CSC lost the game, 2–1, and therefore finished second place in the East Conference in its inaugural season.[42]

NPSL playoffs[edit]

"They’re a great team, honestly. They’re at the top of the (standings). It always gets me pumped up. It gets the guys on the team pumped up. So you’ve got to step your game up and bring something or you’re going home.”

—Vinny Bell, on why he scored seven goals in three games against Erie[43]

After finishing second in the East Conference, Cleveland SC earned the fourth seed in the Midwest Region playoffs and was drawn against Erie Commodores, the third seed, in the regional quarterfinals.[44] Just six days after losing to Erie in the regular season finale, CSC returned to McConnell Family Stadium with a full-strength lineup and dominated the Commodores, 4–0. Bell scored his third hat-trick of the season, two of which came against Erie. His seventh-minute goal gave Cleveland a 1–0 lead at halftime, and he then scored in the 56th minute to double the advantage.[43] Jacob Alatorre of Erie received two yellow cards and was sent off immediately following Bell's second goal, and Cleveland responded with a goal from Manfut and Bell's third of the night to lock up the victory. Austin Solomon was also sent off for the Commodores in the waning minutes, as Erie finished the game with nine men.[45]

Cleveland advanced to face second-seeded AFC Ann Arbor in the Midwest semifinals. Ann Arbor, who were selected as the hosts of the last two rounds of the regional playoffs, won the Great Lakes Conference in the regular season.[46] An evenly-matched semifinal was scoreless at halftime, but Ann Arbor broke through with a goal from Serge Gamwanya in the 55th minute. Cleveland's offense stalled out in the second half, as the best defense in the NPSL shut down any comeback attempt.[47] Goalkeeper Marijo Musa picked up a late red card, and Cleveland finished the season playing with 10 men.[48]

Two Cleveland SC players received postseason honors. Defender Chris Cvecko and forward Vinny Bell were named to the East Conference XI and the Midwest Region XI.[49][50]

Roster[edit]

2018 Cleveland SC roster[51][52]
No. Name Nationality Position(s) Date of birth (age) Signed in Previous club Apps Goals
Goalkeepers
00 Mikal Outcalt United States GK (1996-10-09)October 9, 1996 (aged 21) 2018 United States Pittsburgh Panthers 6 0
1 Marijo Musa Bosnia and Herzegovina GK (1996-05-24)May 24, 1996 (aged 22) 2018 United States AFC Cleveland 9 0
12 Pavle Majerle United States GK (1996-01-26)January 26, 1996 (aged 22) 2018 United States Cleveland State Vikings 0 0
31 Liam McIntosh United States GK (1997-04-29)April 29, 1997 (aged 21) 2018 United States John Carroll Blue Streaks 2 0
Defenders
2 Boban Cancar United States DF (1991-03-19)March 19, 1991 (aged 27) 2018 United States AFC Cleveland 11 0
6 Ian Larson United States DF (1996-08-03)August 3, 1996 (aged 21) 2018 United States Duquesne Dukes 9 1
11 James Haupt United States DF (1994-10-28)October 28, 1994 (aged 23) 2018 United States Dayton Flyers 12 1
14 Declan McGivern England DF (1994-03-15)March 15, 1994 (aged 24) 2018 United States AFC Cleveland 9 1
16 Chris Cvecko United States DF (1994-04-01)April 1, 1994 (aged 24) 2018 United States AFC Cleveland 12 2
19 Coletun Long United States DF (1995-09-26)September 26, 1995 (aged 22) 2018 United States AFC Cleveland 10 1
20 Kareem Banton Jamaica DF (1994-12-21)December 21, 1994 (aged 23) 2018 United States Cleveland State Vikings 5 0
24 Tim Williams United States DF (1995-11-14)November 14, 1995 (aged 22) 2018 United States Oberlin Yeomen 5 0
27 Rushoy Brown Jamaica DF (1995-08-30)August 30, 1995 (aged 22) 2018 United States Cuyahoga Challengers 0 0
30 Dan Manolache Romania DF (1999-02-15)February 15, 1999 (aged 19) 2018 United States Cleveland State Vikings 9 0
Michael Dichlian United States DF (1995-06-17)June 17, 1995 (aged 23) 2018 United States Ohio State Buckeyes 1 0
Stephen Trudic United States DF 1975 (1975) (aged 42–43) 2018 United States John Carroll Blue Streaks 1 0
Midfielders
4 Mike Derezic United States MF (1992-01-08)January 8, 1992 (aged 26) 2018 United States AFC Cleveland 8 5
10 Admir Suljevic Bosnia and Herzegovina MF (1990-11-01)November 1, 1990 (aged 27) 2018 United States AFC Cleveland 10 6
13 Gianluca DiFranco United States MF (1997-08-15)August 15, 1997 (aged 20) 2018 United States Cleveland State Vikings 2 0
15 Kotaro Umeda Japan MF (1998-02-15)February 15, 1998 (aged 20) 2018 United States Louisville Cardinals 4 1
17 Kurt Raney United States MF (1997-04-20)April 20, 1997 (aged 21) 2018 United States Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets 10 0
18 Jesse Marinaro United States MF (1996-01-25)January 25, 1996 (aged 22) 2018 United States John Carroll Blue Streaks 7 0
21 Dan Koniarczyk United States MF (1994-08-29)August 29, 1994 (aged 23) 2018 United States AFC Cleveland 9 0
22 Michael Hagarty New Zealand MF (1993-10-07)October 7, 1993 (aged 24) 2018 United States Erie Commodores 0 0
25 Lewis Dunne England MF (1994-11-05)November 5, 1994 (aged 23) 2018 United States Urbana Blue Knights 12 0
26 Hayden Parente United States MF (1998-05-27)May 27, 1998 (aged 20) 2018 United States John Carroll Blue Streaks 4 0
32 Joe Schmidt United States MF (1998-11-02)November 2, 1998 (aged 19) 2018 United States Indiana Hoosiers 0 0
Ben Hryszko United States MF (1999-03-08)March 8, 1999 (aged 19) 2018 United States Cleveland State Vikings 0 0
Forwards
3 Antonio Manfut United States FW (1994-09-06)September 6, 1994 (aged 23) 2018 United States RGV Barracudas 14 4
7 Tom Beck United States FW (1992-01-25)January 25, 1992 (aged 26) 2018 United States AFC Cleveland 5 0
8 Ben Truax United States FW (1990-11-30)November 30, 1990 (aged 27) 2018 United States AFC Cleveland 4 1
9 Vinny Bell United States FW (1990-09-06)September 6, 1990 (aged 27) 2018 United States AFC Cleveland 10 11
23 Riley Grant United States FW (1995-01-27)January 27, 1995 (aged 23) 2018 United States Seattle Sounders FC 2 7 1
28 Justin Libertowski United States FW (1998-08-18)August 18, 1998 (aged 19) 2018 United States Ashland Eagles 0 0
35 Danny Ruple United States FW (1998-08-04)August 4, 1998 (aged 19) 2018 United States Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets 6 1
77 Mac Curran United States FW (1997-01-23)January 23, 1997 (aged 21) 2018 United States Penn State Nittany Lions 11 1
Gabriel Pewu United States FW (1998-09-16)September 16, 1998 (aged 19) 2018 United States Cleveland State Vikings 0 0

Match results[edit]

Preseason[edit]

April 13 Friendly Cleveland SC 2–3 FC Columbus Medina, Ohio
7:30 PM EDT
  • McGivern Yellow card 63'
  • Suljevic 65' (pen.)
  • Truax 84'
 Report
  • Bangura 14', Yellow card 20'
  • Dia 29'
  • Camara Yellow card 55'
  • Murcia 82'
 Stadium: Highland Stadium
April 15 Friendly FC Columbus 2–3 Cleveland SC Grandview Heights, Ohio
4:00 PM EDT
  • Bangura Yellow card 42'
  • Blamo 50'
  • Ba 72'
  • Alvarez Yellow card 87'
 Report
  • Derezic 24'
  • Bell 40'
  • Suljevic 86' (pen.)
 Stadium: Bobcat Stadium

NPSL[edit]

Main article: 2018 NPSL season

Standings[edit]

Pos Team
 Pld W L T GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Erie Commodores FC (C, Q) 12 8 1 3 36 13 +23 27 Midwest Region Quarterfinal
2 Cleveland SC (Q) 12 7 2 3 34 11 +23 24
3 Rochester Lancers 12 6 3 3 22 18 +4 21
4 FC Buffalo 12 6 4 2 27 21 +6 20
5 Fort Pitt Regiment 12 6 5 1 23 14 +9 19
Source: NPSL standings
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head to head; 3) goal differential in head-to-head results; 4) wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) fewest losses; 7) coin toss. If three or more teams are tied on points, a mini-table involving only the tied teams is used, and teams are ranked in the mini-table on points. If two teams are tied on points in the mini-table, the two-team rules for classification apply. If three or more teams are tied on points in the mini-table, they are ranked based on 1) wins in conference competition; 2) total goal differential in conference competition; 3) fewest losses in conference competition; 4) coin toss.
(C) Champions; (Q) Qualified for the phase indicated

Regular season[edit]

May 19 1 Cleveland SC 2–0 Rochester Lancers University Heights, Ohio
5:30 PM EDT
  • McGivern 39'
  • Dunne Yellow card 51'
  • Manfut 56' (pen.)
 Report
  • Schindler Yellow card 56'
 Stadium: Don Shula Stadium
May 26 2 Cleveland SC 10–0 Greater Binghamton FC University Heights, Ohio
3:30 PM EDT
  • Suljevic 6', 64'
  • Derezic 21', 70', 81' (pen.)
  • Manfut 31'
  • Cvecko 37'
  • Truax 56'
  • Curran 60'
  • Larson 68'
 Report
  • Nichols Yellow card 54'
 Stadium: Don Shula Stadium
June 1 3 FC Buffalo 0–0 Cleveland SC Buffalo, New York
7:00 PM EDT Report Stadium: All-High Stadium
June 8 4 Greater Binghamton FC 0–5 Cleveland SC Binghamton, New York
6:00 PM EDT
  • Studgeon Yellow card 19'
 Report
  • Ruple 11'
  • Bell 43', 45', 57'
  • Umeda 47'
  • Williams Yellow card 59'
 Stadium: Greater Binghamton Sports Complex
June 10 5 Cleveland SC 1–3 Fort Pitt Regiment University Heights, Ohio
2:00 PM EDT
  • Long Yellow card 47'
  • McDyer 90+1' (o.g.)
 Report
  • Vicent Franch 3'
  • Virgara 24', 58', Yellow card 85'
 Stadium: Don Shula Stadium
June 15 6 Rochester Lancers 1–1 Cleveland SC Rochester, New York
7:00 PM EDT
Report
  • Cvecko 74'
 Stadium: Marina Auto Stadium
June 17 7 Cleveland SC 3–3 FC Buffalo University Heights, Ohio
2:00 PM EDT
  • Bell 55'
  • Long Yellow card 79', 90+9'
  • Suljevic 88' (pen.)
  • Cvecko Yellow card 90'
 Report
  • McFayden 35'
  • Bauld 43', Yellow card 88'
  • McIvor Yellow card 66'
  • Shackleford 90+7', Yellow card 90+'
 Stadium: Don Shula Stadium
June 19 8 Fort Pitt Regiment 0–3 Cleveland SC Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
7:30 PM EDT Report
  • Haupt 34'
  • Suljevic 51' (pen.)
  • Derezic 82'
 Stadium: Highmark Stadium
June 22 9 Cleveland SC 3–2 Erie Commodores University Heights, Ohio
7:30 PM EDT
  • Bell 30', 68', 77'
  • Cvecko Yellow card 48'
  • Manolache Yellow card 50'
 Report
Stadium: Don Shula Stadium
June 24 10 Cleveland SC 4–0 Syracuse FC University Heights, Ohio
3:00 PM EDT
  • Derezic 18'
  • Dunne Yellow card 62'
  • Suljevic 65', 72'
  • Grant 67'
 Report
  • Daniel Yellow card 32'
  • Johnson Yellow card 41'
  • McDonald Yellow card 80'
 Stadium: Don Shula Stadium
June 30 11 Syracuse FC 0–1 Cleveland SC Syracuse, New York
7:00 PM EDT Report
  • Manfut 44'
 Stadium: Lazer Stadium
July 7 12 Erie Commodores 2–1 Cleveland SC Erie, Pennsylvania
7:00 PM EDT
Report
  • Bell 70'
  • Curran Yellow card 86'
 Stadium: McConnell Family Stadium
Attendance: 500[53]

Playoffs[edit]

July 13 Midwest Quarterfinals Erie Commodores 0–4 Cleveland SC Erie, Pennsylvania
7:00 PM EDT
  • Solomon Yellow card 52' Yellow-red card 89'
  • Alatorre Yellow card 57' Yellow-red card 57'
  • Peres Yellow card 72'
 Report
  • Bell 7', 56', 76'
  • Manfut 63'
  • Long Yellow card 89'
 Stadium: McConnell Family Stadium
July 20 Midwest Semifinals AFC Ann Arbor 1–0 Cleveland SC Ann Arbor, Michigan
7:30 PM EDT
  • Turnbull Yellow card 27'
  • Liadi Yellow card 32'
  • Guglielmi Yellow card 45'
  • Gamwanya 55'
  • Cihan Yellow card 88'
 Report
  • Suljevic Yellow card 17'
  • Musa Red card 90'
 Stadium: River Bank Stadium

Statistics[edit]

No. Pos Nat Player Total NPSL NPSL playoffs
Apps Goals Apps Goals Apps Goals
00 GK United States USA Mikal Outcalt 6 0 6 0 0 0
1 GK Bosnia and Herzegovina BIH Marijo Musa 9 0 6+1 0 2 0
2 DF United States USA Boban Cancar 11 0 6+3 0 2 0
3 FW United States USA Antonio Manfut 14 4 10+2 3 2 1
4 MF United States USA Mike Derezic 8 5 7+1 5 0 0
6 DF United States USA Ian Larson 9 1 5+2 1 1+1 0
7 FW United States USA Tom Beck 5 0 4 0 1 0
8 FW United States USA Ben Truax 4 1 1+2 1 0+1 0
9 FW United States USA Vinny Bell 10 11 7+1 8 2 3
10 MF Bosnia and Herzegovina BIH Admir Suljevic 10 6 8 6 2 0
11 DF United States USA James Haupt 12 1 7+3 1 2 0
12 GK United States USA Pavle Majerle 0 0 0 0 0 0
13 MF United States USA Gianluca DiFranco 2 0 0+2 0 0 0
14 DF England ENG Declan McGivern 9 1 8 1 1 0
15 MF Japan JPN Kotaro Umeda 4 1 2+2 1 0 0
16 DF United States USA Chris Cvecko 12 2 10 2 2 0
17 MF United States USA Kurt Raney 10 0 1+7 0 1+1 0
18 MF United States USA Jesse Marinaro 7 0 3+3 0 0+1 0
19 DF United States USA Coletun Long 10 1 8 1 1+1 0
20 DF Jamaica JAM Kareem Banton 5 0 4 0 1 0
21 MF United States USA Dan Koniarczyk 9 0 7 0 2 0
22 MF New Zealand NZL Michael Hagarty 0 0 0 0 0 0
23 FW United States USA Riley Grant 7 1 3+4 1 0 0
24 DF United States USA Tim Williams 5 0 0+5 0 0 0
25 MF England ENG Lewis Dunne 12 0 6+5 0 0+1 0
26 MF United States USA Hayden Parente 4 0 0+4 0 0 0
27 DF Jamaica JAM Rushoy Brown 0 0 0 0 0 0
28 FW United States USA Justin Libertowski 0 0 0 0 0 0
30 DF Romania ROU Dan Manolache 9 0 5+2 0 0+2 0
31 GK United States USA Liam McIntosh 2 0 0+1 0 0+1 0
32 MF United States USA Joe Schmidt 0 0 0 0 0 0
35 FW United States USA Danny Ruple 6 1 2+3 1 0+1 0
77 FW United States USA Mac Curran 11 1 4+6 1 0+1 0
DF United States USA Michael Dichlian 1 0 0+1 0 0 0
MF United States USA Ben Hryszko 0 0 0 0 0 0
FW United States USA Gabriel Pewu 0 0 0 0 0 0
DF United States USA Stephen Trudic 1 0 0+1 0 0 0

Transfers[edit]

Transfers in[edit]

Date Position Name From Fee/Notes Ref.
April 11, 2018 DF Jamaica Kareem Banton United States Cleveland State Vikings Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 FW United States Tom Beck United States AFC Cleveland Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 FW United States Vinny Bell United States AFC Cleveland Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 DF United States Boban Cancar United States AFC Cleveland Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 DF United States Chris Cvecko United States AFC Cleveland Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 MF United States Mike Derezic United States AFC Cleveland Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 MF United States Gianluca DiFranco United States Cleveland State Vikings Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 MF England Lewis Dunne United States Urbana Blue Knights Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 FW United States Riley Grant United States Seattle Sounders FC 2 Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 MF New Zealand Michael Hagarty United States Erie Commodores Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 DF United States James Haupt United States Dayton Flyers Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 MF United States Dan Koniarczyk United States AFC Cleveland Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 DF United States Ian Larson United States Duquesne Dukes Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 DF United States Coletun Long United States AFC Cleveland Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 GK United States Pavle Majerle United States Cleveland State Vikings Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 FW United States Antonio Manfut United States RGV Barracudas Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 DF Romania Dan Manolache United States Cleveland State Vikings Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 MF United States Jesse Marinaro United States John Carroll Blue Streaks Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 DF England Declan McGivern United States AFC Cleveland Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 GK United States Liam McIntosh United States John Carroll Blue Streaks Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 GK Bosnia and Herzegovina Marijo Musa United States AFC Cleveland Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 MF United States Kurt Raney United States Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 DF United States Bradley Ruhaak United States North Carolina FC Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 MF United States Joe Schmidt United States Indiana Hoosiers Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 FW United States Ma'Cain Spragling United States Cortland Red Dragons Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 MF Bosnia and Herzegovina Admir Suljevic United States AFC Cleveland Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 FW United States Ben Truax United States AFC Cleveland Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 MF Japan Kotaro Umeda United States Louisville Cardinals Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 11, 2018 DF United States Tim Williams United States Oberlin Yeomen Listed on preliminary roster [12]
April 24, 2018 DF Jamaica Rushoy Brown United States Cuyahoga Challengers Listed on official roster [16]
April 24, 2018 FW United States Mac Curran United States Penn State Nittany Lions Listed on official roster [16]
April 24, 2018 FW United States Justin Libertowski United States Ashland Eagles Listed on official roster [16]
April 24, 2018 GK United States Mikal Outcalt United States Pittsburgh Panthers Listed on official roster [16]
April 24, 2018 MF United States Hayden Parente United States John Carroll Blue Streaks Listed on official roster [16]
May 19, 2018 DF United States Michael Dichlian United States Ohio State Buckeyes Listed on roster for regular season [20]
May 19, 2018 MF United States Ben Hryszko United States Cleveland State Vikings Listed on roster for regular season [20]
May 19, 2018 FW United States Gabriel Pewu United States Cleveland State Vikings Listed on roster for regular season [20]
May 19, 2018 FW United States Danny Ruple United States Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets Listed on roster for regular season [20]
May 19, 2018 DF United States Stephen Trudic United States John Carroll Blue Streaks Listed on roster for regular season [20]

Transfers out[edit]

Date Position Name To Fee/Notes Ref.
April 24, 2018 FW United States Ma'Cain Spragling United States San Diego Sockers 2 Not retained on official roster[a] [16]
May 8, 2018 DF United States Bradley Ruhaak United States Michigan Bucks No longer on roster[b] [51]
  1. ^ Joined San Diego for the 2018–19 Major Arena Soccer League 2 season[17]
  2. ^ Joined Michigan for the 2018 PDL season[19]

Awards[edit]

NPSL Team of the Week

  • DF Declan McGivern, week of May 14[54]
  • MF Mike Derezic, week of May 21[55]
  • FW Vinny Bell, week of June 4[56]
  • DF Chris Cvecko, week of June 11[57]

NPSL East Conference XI[49]

  • FW Vinny Bell
  • DF Chris Cvecko

NPSL Midwest Region XI[50]

  • FW Vinny Bell
  • DF Chris Cvecko

See also[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b Sferra, German (March 31, 2022). "From intern to owner: The story of Cleveland's soccer club". United States Soccer Federation. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  2. ^ @NPSLSoccer (December 12, 2017). "NEWS: The #NPSL today announced the termination of the memberships of AFC Cleveland (@AFCCleveland) and Sports Club Corinthians USA (@SCorinthiansUSA) in line with the NPSL Bylaws for teams not in good financial standing with the league" (Tweet). Retrieved March 3, 2023 – via Twitter.
  3. ^ Johnston, Kevin (February 11, 2019). "90-day launch? No sweat for Cleveland SC". Soc Takes. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  4. ^ a b c d Helfrich, Jeff (February 22, 2018). "Cleveland SC Brings Miraculous NPSL Rebirth to Northeast Ohio". International Soccer Network. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  5. ^ a b c Burden, Brian (December 11, 2018). "Being as Cleveland as Possible". Protagonist Soccer. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  6. ^ NPSL Media (February 19, 2018). "Cleveland SC joins the NPSL". National Premier Soccer League. Retrieved March 3, 2023.
  7. ^ Green, Chris (February 26, 2018). "Cleveland Adds Pro Soccer Team". Stadium Journey. Archived from the original on March 2, 2019. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  8. ^ a b Vaughn, Dan (November 16, 2018). "Cleveland SC: Tying the Club to the City". Protagonist Soccer. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  9. ^ McKee, Vince (March 13, 2018). "Cleveland SC Announces Ryan 'Ozzy' Osborne As New Head Coach". NEO Sports Insiders. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  10. ^ "Ryan Osborne – Men's Soccer Coach – Notre Dame College Athletics". Notre Dame Falcons. Notre Dame College. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  11. ^ McKee, Vince (March 6, 2018). "Cleveland SC Announces Venue For 2018 Season". NEO Sports Insiders. Retrieved March 4, 2023.
  12. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q r s t u v w x y z aa ab ac ad "2018 preliminary roster released" (Press release). Cleveland: Cleveland SC. April 11, 2018. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved May 11, 2018.
  13. ^ a b "Belief in Ohio Soccer Restored by FC Columbus and Cleveland SC". International Soccer Network. April 6, 2018. Retrieved March 5, 2023.
  14. ^ "Historic Night for Ohio NPSL Teams". International Soccer Network. April 14, 2018. Archived from the original on January 27, 2020. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  15. ^ NPSL Media (April 17, 2018). "FC Columbus and Cleveland SC brave rain in second leg of debut series". National Premier Soccer League. Archived from the original on March 10, 2022. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  16. ^ a b c d e f g "Cleveland SC announces 2018 roster loaded with local talent" (Press release). Cleveland: Cleveland SC. April 24, 2018. Archived from the original on August 13, 2018. Retrieved May 5, 2018.
  17. ^ a b "Ma'Cain Spragling – MASL2 stats". Major Arena Soccer League 2. Retrieved April 2, 2019.
  18. ^ McKee, Vince (April 24, 2018). "Cleveland SC Announces 2018 Roster Loaded with Local Talent". NEO Sports Insiders. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  19. ^ a b Emons, Brad (May 9, 2018). "Bucks take on Detroit City FC in US Open Cup matchup at Keyworth". Observer & Eccentric Media. Gannett. Retrieved February 11, 2023. Former three-year starting defender Brad Ruhaak (University of Akron) returns home as well after playing last season for North Carolina FC in the NASL.
  20. ^ a b c d e f "Cleveland SC 2–0 Rochester Lancers". National Premier Soccer League. May 19, 2018. Retrieved June 9, 2018.
  21. ^ McKee, Vince (May 19, 2018). "Cleveland Defeats Rochester 2–0 To Open Season". NEO Sports Insiders. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  22. ^ NPSL Media (May 20, 2018). "Lancers drop season opener to Cleveland 2–0". National Premier Soccer League. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  23. ^ NPSL Media (May 28, 2018). "A perfect 10: Cleveland SC rout GBFC 10–0". National Premier Soccer League. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  24. ^ Kleps, Kevin (June 10, 2018). "New Cleveland semipro soccer team is off to a hot start". Crain's Cleveland Business. Crain Communications. Archived from the original on June 16, 2018. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  25. ^ NPSL Media (June 3, 2018). "FC Buffalo and Cleveland SC finish with 0–0 draw". National Premier Soccer League. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  26. ^ Tsujimoto, Ben (June 2, 2018). "Casey, FC Buffalo defense stymie Cleveland in scoreless draw". The Buffalo News. Berkshire Hathaway. Archived from the original on March 6, 2023. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  27. ^ NPSL Media (June 8, 2018). "Cleveland SC dominant in 5–0 win against Greater Binghamton FC Thunder". National Premier Soccer League. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  28. ^ McKee, Vince (June 8, 2018). "Vinny Bell Has Hat Trick As Cleveland SC Stays Unbeaten With 5–0 On The Road Over Binghamton". NEO Sports Insiders. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  29. ^ NPSL Media (June 11, 2018). "Fort Pitt Regiment defeats Cleveland SC 3–1". National Premier Soccer League. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  30. ^ McKee, Vince (June 10, 2018). "Cleveland SC falls on the Pitch 3–1 to the Fort Pitt Regiment". NEO Sports Insiders. Retrieved March 6, 2023.
  31. ^ McKee, Vince (June 15, 2018). "Cleveland SC Rallies Late To Earn 1–1 Draw At Rochester". NEO Sports Insiders. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  32. ^ Lewis, Michael (June 16, 2018). "Fit To Be Tied: Needing 3 points, Lancers get only 1 in home draw". Front Row Soccer. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  33. ^ McKee, Vince (June 17, 2018). "Cleveland SC Earns Draw In Wild Last Second Comeback". NEO Sports Insiders. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  34. ^ NPSL Media (June 20, 2018). "Cleveland SC and FC Buffalo finish with 3–3 draw". National Premier Soccer League. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  35. ^ McKee, Vince (June 19, 2018). "Cleveland SC Travels To Fort Pitt And Comes Away With Huge 3–0 Road Win". NEO Sports Insiders. Retrieved March 7, 2023.
  36. ^ McKee, Vince (June 22, 2018). "Cleveland SC Defeats Unbeaten Erie FC In Thriller As Vinny Rings The Bell 3 Times!". NEO Sports Insiders. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  37. ^ NPSL Media (June 25, 2018). "Erie Commodores FC falls to Cleveland SC 3–2". National Premier Soccer League. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  38. ^ NPSL Media (June 25, 2018). "Cleveland SC defeats Syracuse FC 4–0". National Premier Soccer League. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  39. ^ McKee, Vince (June 30, 2018). "Cleveland SC Clinches Playoff Berth With 1–0 Thrilling Win Over Syracuse FC". NEO Sports Insiders. Retrieved March 8, 2023.
  40. ^ McKee, Vince (July 6, 2018). "Cleveland SC Travels To Erie For Conference Championship Game With Commodores FC". NEO Sports Insiders. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  41. ^ McKee, Vince (July 8, 2018). "Erie Topples Cleveland SC 2–1 As Regular Season Concludes". NEO Sports Insiders. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  42. ^ Pora, Chuck (July 7, 2018). "Commodores beat Cleveland SC 2–1, win division title". Erie Times-News. GateHouse Media. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  43. ^ a b Fernandes, Victor (July 14, 2018). "Commodores' season ends with playoff loss". Erie Times-News. GateHouse Media. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  44. ^ Fernandes, Victor (July 13, 2018). "Commodores open NPSL playoffs vs. division rival Cleveland". Erie Times-News. GateHouse Media. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  45. ^ McKee, Vince (July 13, 2018). "Cinderella Keeps On Dancing As Cleveland SC Advances To Second Round Of NPSL Playoffs". NEO Sports Insiders. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  46. ^ McKee, Vince (July 20, 2018). "Cleveland SC Faces Ann Arbor Tonight In Round Two Of NPSL Playoffs". NEO Sports Insiders. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  47. ^ Zuke, Ryan (July 21, 2018). "AFC Ann Arbor advances in NPSL playoffs with 1–0 win over Cleveland SC". The Ann Arbor News. MLive Media Group. Retrieved March 10, 2023.
  48. ^ NPSL Media (July 22, 2018). "Cleveland SC season concludes with 1–0 loss to AFC Ann Arbor". National Premier Soccer League. Retrieved March 9, 2023.
  49. ^ a b NPSL Media (July 13, 2018). "NPSL announces 2018 conference XI selections". National Premier Soccer League. Archived from the original on July 19, 2018. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
  50. ^ a b "NPSL unveils Region XI selections". Soc Takes. July 20, 2018. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  51. ^ a b "Cleveland SC squad". Cleveland SC. Archived from the original on January 22, 2019. Retrieved May 23, 2018.
  52. ^ "2018 NPSL Season | Cleveland SC". National Premier Soccer League. 2018. Retrieved February 26, 2023.
  53. ^ NPSL Media (July 10, 2018). "10-Men Erie Commodores FC defeats Cleveland SC to win the 2018 East Conference crown". National Premier Soccer League. Retrieved March 9, 2023. A 500-person crowd came out to Gannon University's McConnell Family Stadium Saturday night to see the Commodores' the regular season finale.
  54. ^ Shealer, Sheldon (May 23, 2018). "NPSL Team of the Week: May 23". TopDrawerSoccer.com. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  55. ^ Shealer, Sheldon (May 31, 2018). "NPSL Team of the Week: May 30". TopDrawerSoccer.com. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  56. ^ Shealer, Sheldon (June 14, 2018). "NPSL Team of the Week, June 13". TopDrawerSoccer.com. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
  57. ^ Shealer, Sheldon (June 21, 2018). "NPSL Team of the Week, June 20". TopDrawerSoccer.com. Retrieved February 11, 2023.
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