Our contribution to Buffalo.com’s “Ultimate NPSL Midwest Great Lakes Playoff Preview.”

Momentum heading into postseason: A win against FC Sparta Michigan and a draw against Detroit City FC has given Cleveland momentum going into the playoffs. Yes, Cleveland is the fourth seed and is going up against an undefeated DCFC, but they play up to the level of their competition and will be Detroit’s biggest rival and challenge of the weekend.

Regular season MVP: Goalkeeper Ben Yabrow has to be the regular season MVP for the Royals. He has been “Mr. Consistent” for Cleveland over the past two seasons, serving as an anchor and leader for the entire squad.

Team’s best unit: Goalkeeper is also the team’s best overall unit with Yabrow, Alex Ivanov, and Anthony Flowers all capable of starting for any NPSL team. Ivanov will likely be the starter for the Ohio State Buckeyes this fall, while Flowers is expected to be a Division I college recruit in the very near future.

Depth: AFC Cleveland’s roster is very deep, giving head coach Andy Hoggarth lots of options. Players come from a variety of college programs from small NCAA Division III schools like Mount Union University to the biggest and best in the collegiate game like the University of Akron.

Potential weaknesses: AFC Cleveland has struggled to live up to the success of last season, as their inaugural campaign saw them claim all kinds of hardware, including winning the Rust Belt Derby and the Midwest Conference Playoffs.

2013 hasn’t been so kind with just one piece of hardware—the Presidential Cup—going to the Royals. Cleveland has been victimized by bad luck throughout the season, but they hope the playoffs will turn things around.

Dark horse: A player to watch for is midfielder Keisuke Ohata from Tokyo, Japan. He recently joined the Royals from Kokugakuin Kugayama and has provided a spark for the Cleveland attack. He has great pace and excellent footwork, making him capable of breaking a big play at any moment.

Closing outlook: Cleveland can realistically repeat as conference champions if they defeat DCFC in the opening match, which is a daunting task. However, the rivalry between Cleveland and Detroit is big in every sport, and the AFCC/DCFC matches always live up to that billing.

The Royals will need career games from Vinny Bell and Tommy Schmitt in the attack, while Yabrow and Carter Poe will be counted on to lead the defense.

The Midwest Region is one of the strongest in all of the NPSL. Whomever advances to face Quad Cities in the final faces an even stiffer challenge. QCFC has been one of the league’s strongest teams all season, a squad that is truly clicking on all cylinders. Quad Cities also has the advantage of having an extra week to rest and prepare as they host the regional final on July 20 in Bettendorf, Iowa.

AFC Cleveland clinched the fourth and final spot in the Great Lakes Conference Playoffs with a 1-1 draw with Detroit City FC.

870 fans and supporters from both Cleveland and Detroit were present for a fast, physical, and intense matchup.

AFC Cleveland was the first on the board as Tom Beck set up a Tom Granot goal in the 35th minute. The home side would carry that same 1-0 lead
into halftime.

Former Columbus Crew striker Knox Cameron brought things even at 1-1 for
Detroit with an unassisted goal in the 77th minute.

Both sides continued to fight, but neither could gain the advantage as the
match ended in a draw. Royals keeper Ben Yabrow was stellar again, making
crucial saves at different points during the game.

“Ben has come up big when he needs to,” AFC Cleveland head coach Andy
Hoggarth commented. “Now I am going to have to talk him into not moving
back to Georgia next year so we can keep him around.”

AFC Cleveland will meet DCFC again in the playoffs next weekend in an
intriguing rematch, one that is exciting for fans and players alike.

“They are going to play with a little bit of bite,” AFC Cleveland forward
Tommy Schmitt stated. “They know that we can compete with them game in and game out.”

Match Photos

AFC Cleveland defeated FC Sparta Michigan 5-1 on Sunday to move into the
fourth and final playoff spot in the Great Lakes Conference.

The first half ended 1-1, but the second half was all Royals. FC Sparta
was the victim of two red cards as Jacob Prudhomme and Ali Gelan were sent
off. This added to the home team’s difficulties as Cleveland’s attack was
indeed clicking on all cylinders.

Tom Beck finished with a brace, while Ryan Minick, Tommy Schmitt, and
Tommy Granot each scored a goal apiece.

New Albany’s Anthony Flowers made his NPSL debut, relieving starting
Royals goalkeeper Ben Yabrow late in the second half.

AFC Cleveland returns home to face 1st place Detroit City FC on July 5th
at Krenzler Field.

AFC Cleveland fell to Detroit City FC by a score of 3-2 in what could be called the most hotly contested match of the NPSL season.

“What’s happened is that we have developed a really great rivalry,” DCFC co-owner Sean Mann commented. “It’s the class of the NPSL in a lot of ways. It’s fun to have two good teams playing in front of packed stadiums.”

The Royals were the first on the board thanks to a header from Tommy Schmitt in the 5th minute. Tom Beck would get the credit for the assist after launching a beautiful cross to set up the goal.

Detroit would even things up at 1-1 as Lachlan Savage scored off a Jeff Adkins cross just 5 minutes later.

The opportunities continued to flow for both sides. Adkins took a shot off the far post in the 36th, while Vinny Bell and Beck had solid chances of their own in the 40th and 41st minutes respectively.

The halftime whistle blew with no change to the 1-1 scoreline.

Detroit held an advantage in shots (7-6) and corner kicks (6-2) in the first half, but possession remained even at 50% for both sides throughout the game.

DCFC’s Fabio Pereira converted a PK in the 64 minute to put the visitors up 2-1, but that lead was short-lived as Bell scored in the 76th off an assist from Keisuke Ohata.

It was the first appearance of the season for Ohata, who recently joined AFC Cleveland from a Japanese club.

“I wasn’t expecting that many supporters,” Ohata said. “I am glad to be here. It’s an honor.”

Grant Chong beat Cleveland keeper Ben Yabrow in the 87th to give the visitors a 3-2 lead, which they held until the final whistle. Yabrow finished the match with 7 saves.

DCFC would finish the match with an advantage in shots (14-10) and corner kicks (8-4).

The win kept DCFC’s unbeaten record in place, while Cleveland continued to be a victim of Lady Luck.

“Sometimes things just don’t go for you,” AFC Cleveland head coach Andy Hoggarth stated. “Maybe last year we used all our luck. We were the one scoring the last minute goals.”

It was a great match with a fantastic atmosphere thanks to the over 850 fans in attendance. It was also a special night as the city’s Terminal Tower turned blue and white in support of AFC Cleveland and the night’s charity, the Pediatric Brain Tumor Foundation.

Subside Sports Man of the Match: FWD Grant Chong, Detroit City

Event Photos