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Another double-match weekend awaits Cleveland Soccer Club as they creep closer to decisive matches in the 2018 NPSL playoff race.
This weekend’s fixtures will feature rematches against two opponents already faced by Cleveland SC this season, first a Friday away trip against Rochester Lancers followed by a home tie with FC Buffalo. Sunday’s 2:00p.m. match also marks Youth Soccer Night with America SCORES.
Fans attending the match are encouraged to drop off used or gently used cleats at America SCORES’ booth to benefit local youth at Don Shula Stadium on the campus of John Carroll University. Youth players who wear their club jerseys to the game will also be admitted for free.
Cleveland SC enter matches 6 and 7 looking for a bounce back weekend after a disappointing 3-1 loss last Sunday to Fort Pitt Regiment. The previously unblemished Cleveland SC defense struggled to contain Fort Pitt on set pieces and conceded their first three goals of the entire season.
The squad should come into the weekend confident and prepared after favorable results against both of this weekend’s opponents earlier in the season. The orange-and-black kicked off their 2018 campaign with a 2-0 home win against the Lancers and held FC Buffalo scoreless in a hard-fought 0-0 draw in Buffalo.
The first of Cleveland SC’s weekend opponents, the Rochester Lancers, seem to have turned a corner after a difficult schedule to start the season. The Lancers have scored 2 goals in each of their last four matches and are coming off consecutive victories against Syracuse FC and Fort Pitt Regiment.
The Lancers will look to spring attacks against the Cleveland SC backline with prolific forward Will Stone and speedster Lukas Fernandes. Cleveland SC attackers, including former Lancer Antonio Manfut, may also have opportunities against their opponents who have conceded 9 goals in 5 matches.
FC Buffalo also pose a threat and could leap Cleveland SC in the Midwest East table with favorable results in their two-match weekend that also includes a Friday home fixture against Greater Binghamton FC Thunder. The Wolves have also rebounded from a poor start to the season to earn wins against the Lancers and Syracuse FC after drawing Cleveland SC.
While FC Buffalo’s wealth of attacking talent, led by Akean Shackleford, was contained the first time around, Cleveland SC will need another heroic performance from goalkeeper Mikal Outcalt, Coletun Long and Declan McGivern to repeat those results and keep pace with the conference’s top clubs.
Cleveland SC enter the weekend third in conference points (10) behind Erie Commodores FC (17) and Fort Pitt Regiment (12). Both the Rochester Lancers (7) and FC Buffalo (10) are well within striking distance to compete for one of the two playoff spots awarded after 12 matches.
Tickets for Sunday’s 2:00p.m. match against FC Buffalo and Youth Soccer Night with America SCORES are now available at ClevelandSC.com.
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