by Written by
Bob Dean, B.S., O.C.P.C.
Director of Global Development
Ambassadors Football
Photo Credit: Sheila Mathers/ Ambassadors FC Ohio
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 on Wednesday, May 28, at 7:00 pm at Dr. David & Winnie King Field on the campus of Malone University in Canton, Ohio. This will be the first league derby ever between the local rivals who have only played friendlies since 2021.
Photo Credit: Sheila Mathers/ Ambassadors FC Ohio
