Match Report | Cleveland SC vs Buffalo Stallions

Cleveland SC dominates Buffalo Stallions from the opening whistle, earning a blowout victory in season opener.

BEREA, OHIO- The wait is finally over, as Cleveland SC returned to George Finnie Stadium in Berea, Ohio, to take on the Buffalo Stallions in the club’s season opener. The match was an impressive showing for Cleveland, who took the opener 3-0 thanks to an attack that was on point from the first whistle.  

It didn’t take long for Cleveland SC to make a statement to open the season, as right after the opening kick, the team would score in the first minute of the match. 

The opening kick was preceded by a long pass down the pitch, putting Cleveland SC in a position to score right away. With the ball on the right wing, Luca Piazza would play a pass over to the left side of the box in a perfect position for Abdou Faye to put it home for a lightning-quick opening goal. 

With only three returning players on the roster and one returning player in the starting XI, the chemistry and flow of the club were a big question mark coming into the season. Despite the concerns, the team played fluidly and together throughout the opening 25 minutes of the match.

The midfield dominated the opening stages of the game, making sharp passes and playing strongly on the ball, keeping Buffalo from getting anything going with its attack. The defense was also crucial, only allowing for one shot on target during the first 30 minutes of action. 

The attack for Cleveland SC would slow down following the opening goal, as the club managed to earn some corner kicks, but would fail in turning them into goals. 

Once the thrill of the first-minute goal had passed, the first half was truly about the incredible defense that was played by Cleveland SC. 

In goal, Alex Normandeau only had to leave his area a few times, and kept a clean sheet for the first half.

The backline of Rodrigo Bandeira, Alec Nagucki, Alan Julian Jerkovic and Davide Carmignani held it down throughout the first half, not only keeping the Stallions’ attack in control, but also facilitating the ball well and pushing it into the midfield. 

The first half would end 1-0 without any further attacking action for Cleveland SC, despite Faye making some more quality runs into the box.

The second half would open with more of the same, with the attack making calculated runs that would result in another goal early in the half. 

In the 50th minute, a run from Hakim Musabbah would result in the attacker getting the ball in open space down the left wing. It was a no-nonsense run from Musabbah, who attacked the Buffalo keeper and slotted the ball between the legs of the keeper for a wonderful goal. 

The goal would give Cleveland SC a comfortable 2-0 lead, and it was a deserving goal that fans in the stadium could feel coming with all of the attacking pressure brought forth from Cleveland’s attack. 

The club would turn great defense into great offense later in the game, as Normandeau would run out of the box to make a great save and stop a Stallions run. With the Buffalo defense playing a high line, a long pass up the pitch gave Cleveland another great opportunity. 

Japanese attacker Ren Nishida had the ball on the right side of the box and dished up a great assist to midfielder Noah Sandahl, who was waiting in position in the center of the box to put it in the top bins for the third goal of the game in the 65th minute. 

Cleveland would get another opportunity in the 66th minute, but a shot curled just wide of the net. 

After those opportunities, Cleveland would settle into its defense, allowing some Buffalo shots on target, but never breaking and allowing a goal.

The midfield and backline would control the game the rest of the way, as the energy difference was clear between the two clubs, with Cleveland looking spry and alert with the ball, while Buffalo looked sluggish on defense. 

With the final whistle came a 3-0 opening night victory for Cleveland SC, who will look to keep the success rolling on the road against Rochester NY FC on May 20.

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