Ten-man Steel City FC rally to draw and stay ahead of FC Buffalo in Division race

USL League Two – Great Forest Division 

FINAL: Steel City FC 0, FC Buffalo 0

In a highly anticipated clash with massive USL League Two playoff implications, Steel City FC traveled north to Coyer Field on Saturday to battle Great Forest Division rivals FC Buffalo, as both sides were locked in the standings with 20 points apiece.

Steel City would come away with a valuable road point after not only falling behind 1-0, but playing down a man in an intense battle that included a total of four yellow cards and two reds.

The defending Great Forest Division champs remain unbeaten (6W-0L-3D, 21 points) giving them a step up in the battle with Buffalo in the final weeks for the top spot in the division.

Coming off a crucial 3–1 mid-week road victory against Erie Sports Center FC, Steel City entered the match knowing Buffalo would be hungry for revenge after dropping a 3–0 result at Founders Field earlier this month.

Buffalo’s Ali Alomari scored in the second half to give the hosts the lead.

Then, things turned even more dire for Steel City when left back Ashwin Menon was sent off for a dangerous foul in the 62nd minute.

The point would be salvaged for the 10-man Steel City squad, thanks to the late heroics of one of the squad newcomers, Keke Abai, who scored his second goal in his second game with Steel City.

Jake Lane, who’s been a dynamic playmaker for the Blue and Gold this season, set up Abai to get the assist on the equalizer.

“Really important point on the road for us today that leaves us in the drivers seat for the league,” Steve Rerick, Steel City assistant head coach, who’s filling in for Dan Brower for the next week, told Pittsburgh Soccer Now after the match during the bus ride back from Western New York.

“(We) made it harder on ourselves than it needed to be at times, but overall really proud of the guys today. They showed a lot of heart and grit in that performance against a well drilled FC Buffalo side and fought for the badge. Never easy going down to 10 men but when you have a group like this that fight for each other, with leaders like Graeca in the midfield and Josh Lane in goal, I had no doubt we would get back into the game. Great group effort from top to bottom and the guys are looking forward to getting back on Founders for our last regular season game at Founders.”

Post-Match Notes

• The Standings: With this result, Steel City FC now sits at 21 points in the Great Forest Division, while FC Buffalo stays on 21 points, but Steel City has a full game at hand and now owns the head-to-head series edge (1W-0L-1D).

• Gritty Road Form: Steel City remains the only team in the Division without a loss on the road.

• The goal allowed was the first by goalkeeper Josh Lane all season.  Lane came into the match with a perfect 0.00 goals against average.

• Lineup Notes: Here’s how Steel City lined up to open the match

Match Summary

• Goals:

  • SCFC: Keke Abai (74′) (Assist: Jake Lane)

  • BUF: Ali Alomari (54′)

  • Discipline:

    • 27′ — SCFC – Yellow — Alexzander Plizga (unsporting behavior)

    • 38′ – FCB – Yell0w —  Jacob Doehmen (unsporting)

    • 57′ – FCB – Yellow — Kevin Leiva (unsporting)

    • 62′ – SCFC – RED —  Ashwin Menon (serious foul)

    • 76′ – FCB – Yellow — Jack Root (unsporting)

    • 90′ – FCB – RED —  Jacob Doehmen (second yellow)

Next Up: Steel City FC returns home to prepare for their next Great Forest Division test on Wednesday, July 1, when they host Cleveland Force at Founders Field (6 pm kickoff).

John Krysinsky

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).