NPSL Soccer Highlights AFC Cleveland
It wasn’t a Father’s Day weekend to remember for National Premier Soccer League‘s AFC Cleveland as they fell to conference rivals FC Buffalo 3-0 on Friday and Detroit City FC 5-1 on Sunday.
It was if everything went wrong for the Royals this weekend as they were hit with a red card, injuries, and intense heat that cooled off their attack.
Things began to unravel quickly on Friday as Buffalo’s Kendell McFayden tallied a goal just 19 seconds into the match. Despite the setback, Cleveland was able to contain the home team’s attack until a red card to defender Derek Creviston in the 70th minute left the Royals a man down.
Two goals from Buffalo midfielder Russell Cicerone followed in the 79th and 88th minutes as Cleveland rightfully struggled to defend with just ten men.
“The final score was 3-0,” AFC Cleveland head coach Aaron McGuiness commented. “The result was disappointing as it did not reflect how we played.”
AFC Cleveland was then forced to return home to play DCFC with just one day’s rest. The Royals would be without Creviston (red card suspension) and Thomas Beck (injury).
Cleveland goalkeeper Spencer Semple was able to keep things scoreless for some time as Detroit peppered his area with dangerous shots. Semple made save after save until Latif Alshe opened the scoring for DCFC in the 14th minute. Will Mellors-Blair would make it 2-0 for the visitors just minutes later.
Vinny Bell would garner the home team’s lone goal in the 30th, but DCFC would answer with goals from Tyler Arnone in the 34th and 40th minutes as the University of Michigan standout finished with a brace.
TJ VanSlooten would make it 5-1 for Detroit in the 86th minute and that is where the match finished.
“We are obviously very disappointed with the result and our performance,” McGuiness added. “We now have almost two weeks until our next game, which will allow us to work on some things and finish the season out on a strong note.”
The Royals look to turn things around with a home match against FC Buffalo on June 27th.
Content and photos from ISNSoccer.com
