Tonight, Akron City FC (ACFC) and Cleveland SC battle for Northeast Ohio soccer supremacy! The I-77 Challenge (really need a sponsor for this!) or “330v216”(Akron’s idea) pits the 4th place Clevelanders against the last place southern neighbors. It has not been the year so far both teams had hoped for.
@AkronCityFC is taking @SoccerCLE this Friday! This will be a fierce battle of NEO that you do not want to miss! Tickets at: https://t.co/13jJjmXIWE pic.twitter.com/khnqBRgsgX
— Akron/Summit CVB (@AkronSummitCVB) June 6, 2023
Current Standings
AKRON CITY FC (ACFC)
ACFC, since defeating FC Columbus, have been shut out of their past three matches. They are hoping that their home turf, Green Street Stadium, can help them turn their fortunes around.
Coach Andy Hoggarth is pleased with the effort last game in a loss to Erie, 1-0, especially the defensive improvements. But he lamented the lost opportunities in the final third.
“We had three or four very good opportunities outside the box. We didn’t execute with the final ball.”
You can watch all his comments here:
Thoughts from the match courtesy of Coach Andy Hoggarth pic.twitter.com/CqJrcD6T6e
— Akron City FC (@AkronCityFC) June 4, 2023
That last match was brutal as the club were poised to get a point but a 90’ goal by Erie dampened their spirits.
Pictures from Erie
CLEVELAND SC
Cleveland SC is coming off a big 2-1 win over Carpathia FC last Friday evening at Baldwin-Wallace’s DiSanto Field. The home club trailed early but back to back goals and a study defense sealed the three points.
Scoring for Cleveland were Carter Hancock with his quiet flick and Logan Penton’s rocket on the goalies’ short side!
Watch both goals here!
🎥🔥 Check out the amazing goals from Friday evening at DiSanto Field. Which goal gets your vote?
Carter Hancock's run and flick, with an outstanding assist from Keegan Dawson or Logan Penton's rocket into the top of the net. 🚀⚽️#WeAreCLE @NPSLSoccer pic.twitter.com/Va22mqaqNJ
— Cleveland SC (@SoccerCLE) June 6, 2023
Pictures from Baldwin Wallace
Photo by Luigi Musto
Photo by Luigi Musto
CSC has had an odd schedule. Their first four games were basically home and away matches with two conference foes. Their most recent win over Carpathia was also how they started the year, namely with a win in Michigan over Carpathia. Then in five days Cleveland battled the current second place Michigan Rangers FC twice, losing both 2-1.
Most of the other conference teams have six matches under their belts to date. In another odd twist, Cleveland will head to Erie, PA to battle the Commodores Sunday, just getting only one day rest!
But scheduling quirks aside, the club would like to improve on their fourth place standing. Two wins this weekend would be massively important for that goal
330v216 (ACFC v CSC)
So, here are the specifics for the match tonight. Both clubs need points and this should be a physical and tense evening in Akron. Hope you can make it! Also, follow along with Cade Cracas, the talented sideline reporter for ACFC. He will add to the fun with giveaways and other fan-friendly events.
Who: Akron City FC v Cleveland SC
What: NPSL Regular season match
Where: Green Street Stadium, St. Vincent-St. Mary High School
When: Today, 7:00 PM
Tickets: Click the link for tickets to tonight’s match!
HYPE: Watch this great video from @redpointdigital! How can you NOT get excited??
Are you ready, Akron?! Tomorrow is the day!
Get your tickets NOW by visiting https://t.co/5NDOwMgQC3!
Huge thank you to our sponsor @redpointdigital for the awesome hype video! pic.twitter.com/s9gn1nwrQX
— Akron City FC (@AkronCityFC) June 8, 2023
Hope to see you all pitchside!
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