NPSL Great Lakes Conference Final Preview: Playing the ‘modern way’ Steel City FC goes for repeat against streaking Akron City FC

Steel City FC will be looking to win its second consecutive National Premier Soccer League Great Lakes Conference title in a row, but they’ll have to face a challenging task against a club that’s been nipping at their heels all season long, Akron City FC.

The teams will meet at Founders Field in Cheswick (6:30 p.m. kickoff).

“We’re excited to face Akron City this weekend as they’re one of the hottest teams in our Conference,” Steel City FC’s Head Coach Dan Brower said.

“They’re stacked with talented players and an experienced coaching staff and so we’ll need to be at our best Saturday night. We look forward to the challenge! Steel City vs Akron City for the Conference Final will prove to be a thrilling match and we’ll need our members there in droves to support our guys.”

Round One went to Steel City

When the teams met earlier this season, Steel City FC pulled out a 2-1 road victory, in a match that wasn’t decided until the last whistle.

Steel City took the early lead in the 16th minute, as brothers Justin Kopay (Moon/St. John’s) and Ryan Kopay (Moon/Akron) build-up play led to a well-placed ball to the back post — where Ryan Mertz buried the go-ahead goal.

After 10 minutes of attacking the backline of Steel City and goalkeeper Garret Watson, Akron would find the break they were looking for.

Standout forward Sam Sarver would receive the ball over the top from counterpart Stefan Dobrijevic on a break past the opposing defensive line.  With a nice touch to the side and a bit of speed, Sarver would play the ball back post where it caromed into the back of the net to level the match at 1-1 in the 55th minute.

Following an Akron City equalizer in the second half, Dobrijevic proved to be a continued nuisance, but Watson was up to the task, making a key save in the 70th minute.

Steel City responded as a pair of fresh second half subs connected for the game-winner.  Steel City’s elder statesmen and veteran midfielder Nicky Kolarac (West Allegheny/St. Francis), delivered a precise ball into the box for Nathan Prex (Seneca Valley/ Lebanon Valley), who headed in his chance to give Steel City the 2-1 lead.

Despite some back-and-forth play and chances on both sides in what was an intense battle, Steel City hung on for what was a weekend opening victory, before they also won 5-1, two days later vs Niagara 1812.

After that match, Akron’s Head Coach Andy Hoggarth was quoted on NPSL.com

“I don’t think there was necessarily many nerves, but they [the players] were playing in a rhythm that was just too slow,” .

“We had a little more about us in the second half and got the equalizer.  But we conceded two back post goals on runners which is frustrating… we have got to move on.”

Akron moved on from that point, and kept plugging away through the rest of the season, winning seven straight matches to close out the regular season to finish tied with Steel City in the points race, but home field advantage in the playoffs tilted in Steel City’s favor due to their close win in the first match between the two teams.

Overcoming Challenges in Semifinal Round

On Wednesday, both teams were pushed hard in the semifinal round, with Steel City pulling out a 3-2, come-from-behind victory, at Founders Field.

Trailing early in the second half, Steel City’s ‘Memphis Connection’ Anders Bordoy and Anthony DiFalco contributed goals to turn the match in the home team’s favor.

Resilient Steel City FC storm past Flower City Union, 3-2, to return to Conference Final

“With some great attacking play, we still unfortunately left some chances on the table and we’ll definitely need to clean up that part of our game over the next couple days,” Brower added.

Brower paid very high complements to his entire team, and defensive effort late in the match, but also pointed out that he said central midfielder Nick Graeca (Dubois/John Carroll) has been especially indispensable with his two-way play and connecting lines.

The rising senior at John Carroll, who’s been making long commutes to and from Northeast Ohio to train and compete with Steel City, believes that even when his club was down, it was important to stick with the formula that has made them successful.

“We had a lot of box entries and chances on net in that match (vs Flower City),” Graeca said.

“We went to halftime down, but we were confident.  We tweaked a couple of things, but we wanted to keep doing what we’ve been doing all season, and be more clinical, and the chances would come.”

Sure enough, they did with the ‘Memphis Connection’ of Anders Bodroy (Kiski Area) and Anthony DeFalco leading the way — as each scored a goal while Bodroy had an assist on his new college teammate’s goal.  DeFalco also sent the cross in the first half that led to an own goal which put Steel City in the early 1-0 lead.

Graeca boasted about the Steel City way.

“Our playing style reflects the modern game,” Graeca said.

“We’re not arrogant.  We like to play on the turf. We can play on the grass.  We can play from behind. Out of the back, but we love to press.  It’s a fun style. It’s a fun brand to watch. And it’s proven to be very successful.”

Akron City also played in a pretty wide open, breakneck affair on Wednesday, beating Michigan Rangers, 4-2.

Steel City will have to contend with a team that has been coming out strong early in matches, and has been scoring in droves(42 goals this season) — as ACFC raced out to a 3-0 lead at the half on Wednesday.

Leading the way for Akron City’s first ever NPSL playoff win was former Akron U/Syracuse midfielder Colin Biros, who came through with a hat trick.

Things got interesting in the second half as Michigan clawed their way back with two goals, Boris’ third goal sealed the deal.

Akron comes into this match winners of eight straight matches since losing two of their first three matches of the season, while Steel City have yet to lose this season.

“They’re a very high quality group, and we’re fortunate that we’ll be able to host them,” Graeca said.

“It’s going to be a great game. We’re going to have to continue our style of play.  Adapt if we have to, but do all the little things for 90 minutes — and play for the love of the game.”