by Press Release per Jesse Davis, Ambassadors FC Ohio
Despite the rainy, slippery conditions, and six hours of travel, Ambassadors FC Ohio hit the road in their debut in the NPSL to achieve a hard-fought 4-0 victory over Syracuse FC. Ambassadors FC 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.
Ambassadors will host Flower City Union out of Rochester, NY this Saturday at 7:00 p.m. at Dr. David & Winnie King Field at Malone University in their home opener in what will be an early-season #1 vs. #2 as Ambassadors FC sits atop the standings in the Great Lakes Conference going into the weekend.
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 11 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-1s and slide tackles, furthering his hot streak and deepening the deficit of the home team.
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 center back 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 FC Ohio’s Director of Men’s Football Operations Bob Dean provided insight.
“We are so blessed to be representing this ministry and all of our ministry partners around the world,” Dean said. “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. Tickets can be purchased in advance online at: https://app.gopassage.com/venues/8825 or can be purchased at King Field on match day.
Photo Credit: Mike Kane/Ambassadors FC Ohio
