Steel City FC shuts out Cleveland Force, 1-0, to clinch another USL League Two Great Forest Title

For the second consecutive summer, the road to the USL League Two playoffs runs directly through Pittsburgh.

Behind a 53rd-minute strike from Jaxon Ervin and another shutout from goalkeeper Josh Lane and resolute defensive performance, Steel City FC defeated Cleveland Force SC, 1-0, on Wednesday night, officially clinching the USL League Two Great Forest Division championship with one regular-season match still remaining.

The victory keeps the club’s remarkable unbeaten campaign intact and cements their place in the upcoming USL League Two National Playoffs.

The title marks an unprecedented run of regional dominance for the program.

It is Steel City’s second consecutive Great Forest Division championship since joining USL League Two, and their fourth consecutive regular-season division title overall, stretching back to their back-to-back championships in the NPSL before making the jump to USLL2.

With Head Coach Dan Brower currently away, assistant head coach Steve Rerick once again assumed the reins on the touchline. Rerick, who has masterfully guided the club through a grueling midsummer stretch, made a decisive adjustment at the intermission, bringing on Sander Rynning for Johan Nissen-Lie to open the second half.

The tactical tweak paid dividends almost immediately. Just eight minutes into the second stanza, the breakthrough arrived.

In the 53rd minute, winger Jaxon Ervin—the Duquesne University standout and former West Allegheny standout —found space inside the attacking third and hammered home what would prove to be the division-clinching goal.

Following Ervin’s go-ahead tally, the Steel City staff expertly managed the match’s tempo, utilizing the full depth of their bench to neutralize any hopes of a Cleveland comeback.

• 64′ — Nicholas Niebauer and Mats Braemer entered the match, replacing Jake Lane and Alexzander Plizga to fortify the midfield shape.

• 82′ — With Cleveland desperately pushing bodies forward in the final ten minutes, Rerick executed a triple substitution to seal the clean sheet. Tayshaun Reid, Luke Kost, and Nicholas Lo Coco came on for Luke Fiscus, goal-scorer Jaxon Ervin, and Cam Territo.

The defensive unit stood tall through the final whistle, frustrating the hosts and ensuring that Ervin’s single tally was more than enough to secure all three points—and the division crown.

🎙️ From the Touchline

Though celebrating from afar, Head Coach Dan Brower sent an emotional message of praise to his squad and staff immediately following the final whistle:

“What you guys have been able to accomplish with each other — for one another — and the Club this year (and over the years) has simply been a joy to watch,” Brower shared.

“Our ambitious Project has been a huge success and truly has been a model for aspiring clubs across the country. I am humbled to work with you — top men!”

Brower also made sure to credit his staff for holding down the fort seamlessly during his absence. “Congrats to Stevie and the entire staff who have assisted the team throughout the campaign(s) — leading the way during a difficult stretch of matches — well done to each of you! On to Lorain and then the Playoffs — let’s go!!!!”

What’s Next

With the division title safely tucked away, Steel City FC will look to close out their unbeaten regular-season schedule this Saturday, July 11, when they travel to face the Lorain County Leviathan.

From there, the attention turns completely to the USL League Two National Playoffs, where this ambitious Pittsburgh project aims to make a deep national tournament run.

 

Steel City FC Starting XI:

• 41 — Joshua Lane (GK)

• 37 — Sean Regan

• 6 — Luke Fiscus

• 7 — Jaxon Ervin

• 10 — Nicholas Graeca

• 14 — Jake Lane

• 18 — Johan Nissen-lie

• 23 — Anass Hadran

• 28 — Alexzander Plizga

• 40 — Cormac Apostolides

• 48 — Cam Territo

Available Reserves:

• 27 — Sander Rynning (46′)

• 26 — Nicholas Niebauer (64′)

• 56 — Mats Braemer (64′)

• 4 — Tayshaun Reid (82′)

• 17 — Luke Kost (82′)

• 39 — Nicholas Lo Coco (82′)

Unused

• 1 — Sam Coss
• 9 — Amir Awais
• 53 — Logan Pappert