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Steel City FC cap regular season with 3-1 win at Cleveland, now focus on match-up vs Flint City Bucks in USL League Two playoffs

Photo courtesy Randy Warner
USL League Two – Great Forest Division

FINAL: Steel City FC 3, Cleveland Force 1

Match Log

Steel City FC’s men’s first team capped an impressive debut regular season in USL League Two’s Great Forest Division with a 3-1 victory against Cleveland Force at Kenzler Field on Sunday afternoon.

Head Coach Dan Brower used this match to give some regular starters a little bit of rest, while giving some talented players some valuable playing time.

Coming through with goals for Steel City included Cormac Apostolides, John Bence and Amir Awais.

With the win, Steel City ended its first season in the league and the regional division, with a record of 8W-1L-3D, at 27 points, four points ahead of FC Buffalo.

Cormac Apostolides (Case Western Reserve) gave Steel City the lead in the 30th minute, converting a corner kick with a header finish.

Cleveland responded by earning a penalty kick, as Anderson Gardner was fouled in the box.  Gavin Csiszar stepped up and buried the penalty.

Only two minutes later, John Bence (Aquinas Academy / St. Thomas), gave Steel City a 2-1 lead.  Bence nearly had a brace, but was denied when he failed on a penalty conversion in the 58th minute.  Steel City added to the lead though, when Amir Awais (Shady Side Academy / Case Western Reserve) put the game out of reach in the 71st minute.

Steel City will now begin to prepare for its first-ever appearance in USL League Two playoffs, as they’ll head to Flint, Michigan, for Central Conference semifinal on Friday, as they’ll take on Flint City Bucks (Atwood Stadium, Flint, MI, 7:30 p.m.)

All playoff matches will be live streamed on SportsEngine Play.

The tournament kicks off with three Eastern Conference First Round matches. The Round of 32 & 16 will be played from July 18-20 at eight different venues. The Conference Finals and National Semifinals will be played from July 25-27 at two host sites.

The 2025 USL League Two Final will take place on Saturday, August 2.

Look for more Steel City FC USL Two playoff coverage to come this week.  

USL League Two Playoff Bracket

Related Topics

John Krysinsky has covered soccer and other sports for many years for various publications and media outlets. He is also author of 'Miracle on the Mon' -- a book about the Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC, which chronicles the club, particularly the early years of Highmark Stadium with the narrative leading up to and centered around a remarkable match that helped provide a spark for the franchise. John has covered sports for Pittsburgh Tribune-Review, DK Pittsburgh Sports, Pittsburgh Sports Report, has served as color commentator on Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC broadcasts, and worked with OPTA Stats and broadcast teams for US Open Cup and International Champions Cup matches held in the US. Krysinsky also served as the Head Men’s Soccer Coach at his alma mater, Point Park University, where he led the Pioneers to the first-ever winning seasons and playoff berths (1996-98); head coach of North Catholic boys (2007-08), associate head coach of Shady Side Academy boys (2009-2014).

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