Match Preview | Flower City Union vs Cleveland SC
- Cleveland SC
- 3 days ago
- 3 min read
Cleveland SC Seeks Statement Win on the Road Against Unbeaten Flower City Union
Rochester, NY - Cleveland SC returns to the pitch Sunday afternoon for perhaps its toughest test of the 2025 NPSL season—a marquee road matchup against Great Lakes Conference leaders Flower City Union. Kickoff is set for 5 PM at Rochester Community Sportsplex in Rochester, NY, as Cleveland looks to continue building momentum after a thrilling 3-2 comeback win over the Buffalo Stallions in front of their home crowd.
That dramatic win not only capped off a three-match homestand with style, but also vaulted Cleveland to 3-1-2 on the season and secured its hold on fourth place in the conference table—just behind Ambassadors FC, and trailing Sunday’s opponent, Flower City Union, who sits comfortably atop the standings with a perfect 5-0-0 record.
Cleveland head coach Joe Jovanovski couldn’t have been prouder of the grit his team showed against Buffalo after going down 2-0 inside the opening ten minutes. “For us to come together and not give up—that was huge,” Jovanovski said, during a media session earlier in the week. “I think that was the biggest piece.”
The hero of that match was forward Nicolas Vagujhelyi, who delivered a sensational hat trick in his first start of the season. His three goals brought Cleveland back from the brink and sent the Sixth City Syndicate faithful at George Finnie Stadium into jubilation. It was a performance worth remembering - relive all of the match highlights [HERE].
Coach Jovanovski echoed the spark his striker provided. “It was awesome. I mean, it was electric,” he said. “If you spend five minutes with the guy, he’s so full of energy.”
Now the challenge shifts to the conference’s toughest squad. Flower City Union hasn’t dropped a point all season, scoring 15 goals and conceding just three through five matches. Their defensive discipline and attacking depth have made them the team to beat in the Great Lakes Conference—and the same team that knocked Cleveland out of playoff contention at the end of last season.
The matchup holds extra meaning for the squad. “Grit, work, determination,” Jovanovski said when asked what it would take to secure three points on the road. “I think we all know it’s our biggest game—top of the table. Last year, we were fighting for a playoff spot and they knocked us out. So I think this is the biggest game for us at this moment. We need this.”
Meanwhile, Cleveland’s back line and goalkeeping rotation will need to be sharp from the opening whistle. In recent matches, the squad has struggled early, conceding goals in the first ten minutes before settling in. Against an efficient and opportunistic Flower City offense, any early lapse could prove costly. Expect either goalkeeper Zoltan Nagy and Ryan Poling and the veteran defensive pairing of Alexandru Rumleanschi and Uleto Fuentes to be under pressure often.
Cleveland’s best chance to grab an upset may come through set pieces and quick counterattacks—two areas where the team has created dangerous chances this season. With Vagujhelyi in form, a moment of individual brilliance could turn the tide.
This is also the start of a crucial stretch. With the season’s second half now underway, every point matters in the push for the playoffs. Flower City may be undefeated, but Cleveland SC comes in with renewed confidence, a high-octane offense, and a chip on their shoulder.
If recent matches are any indication, Cleveland isn’t intimidated by adversity—they embrace it. A positive result on the road Sunday would send a message across the conference: Cleveland SC is here to contend.
Match Information - Flower City Union vs Cleveland SC
📍 Rochester Community Sportsplex - 460 Oak St, Rochester, NY 14608
🗓️ Sunday, June 15, 2025
⏰ Kickoff at 5:00 PM EDT
🎟️ Tickets are available online and at the gate for $12.
Follow the Match Live
Can’t make the trip to Rochester? No problem - the match will be streamed live on Flower City Union’s YouTube Channel, so you can catch every moment from home. For live updates, behind-the-scenes content, and more, be sure to follow Cleveland SC on X and Instagram for real-time updates throughout the match.
Elsewhere in the Great Lakes Conference:
Ambassadors FC Ohio (3-1-1) vs Buffalo Stallions (1-0-4), Saturday, June 14, 7 PM EDT at Malone University
Niagara 1812 FC (1-1-4) vs Erie Commodores FC (2-0-2), Saturday, June 14, 8 PM EDT at Niagara University
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