Match Report | Cleveland SC vs Syracuse FC
- Cleveland SC
- Jun 23
- 4 min read
Cardiac Cleveland Strikes Again: SC Completes Stunning Comeback Against Syracuse FC on Youth Night
BEREA, OHIO — If you thought last week’s draw against Flower City Union was Cleveland SC’s peak drama for the season, think again.
In yet another thriller that has become a signature of their 2025 NPSL campaign, Cleveland SC overcame a two-goal second-half deficit and claimed a heart-pounding 3-2 victory over Syracuse FC thanks to a stoppage-time winner from Tamas Nagy. With an energized George Finnie Stadium on Youth Night serving as the backdrop, Cleveland delivered an instant classic that will be remembered long after the final whistle.
First Half: All Cleveland – Except on the Scoreboard
From the opening kick, it was clear that Cleveland SC came into the match determined to control the tempo and the scoreboard. With playoff implications looming, Head Coach Joe Jovanovski's side pressed high, dictated possession, and pinned Syracuse back in their defensive half for much of the first 45 minutes.
The attacking quartet of Cian Tunney, Tamas Nagy, Nicolas Vagujhelyi, and Malvin Gblah continually tested the Syracuse defense. Cleveland SC fired off six shots in the opening 20 minutes alone. Some forced Syracuse goalkeeper Shae Writ into early action, while others narrowly missed the target.
It was all Cleveland in terms of possession and attacking third presence. Syracuse, unable to maintain any real possession past midfield, looked over matched. Yet, despite dominating the early play, the hosts could not find the breakthrough.
As so often happens in soccer, control doesn’t always translate to results. In the 23rd minute, Syracuse FC capitalized on their first meaningful opportunity of the match. A well-executed counterattack caught the Cleveland defense off guard, culminating in a stunning finish from forward Cerixey Lidsay. His shot curled beautifully into the upper left corner, giving Zoltan Nagy no chance and giving Syracuse a 1-0 lead completely against the run of play.
Cleveland stayed composed and kept the pressure on, finishing the half with a 10-2 shot advantage. However, Writ’s goalkeeping and Syracuse’s bend-but-don’t-break defense sent Cleveland into the locker room trailing by a goal despite complete first-half dominance.
Syracuse Strikes Again
The second half began much like the first: Cleveland in command, Syracuse absorbing pressure. But once again, Syracuse made the most of a counterattack. In the 57th minute, Antonio Wilson found an open Jeanpiere Moquillaza on the right wing who calmly slotted the ball into the bottom left corner, doubling Syracuse’s lead and stunning the George Finnie faithful.
Down 2-0 with just over 30 minutes to play, Cleveland SC was staring at what would have been one of their most disappointing losses of the season. But if this team has taught fans anything in 2025, it’s that they don’t go quietly.
The Comeback Begins
In the 66th minute, Cleveland finally got the breakthrough they had been pressing for. Tapiwa Mushonga, who had entered the match in the first half for an injured Alexandru Rumleanschi, lofted a set piece into the box. In the chaos that ensued, Moquillaza misjudged his defensive header, inadvertently directing the ball into his own net. It wasn’t the goal drawn up by Coach Jovanovski, but it breathed new life into Cleveland and their comeback hopes.
Riding that momentum, Cleveland continued to pour forward. Their persistence paid off again in the 84th minute. Another set piece led to chaos in the Syracuse penalty area. This time, it was Mushonga again involved, rising above defenders to head the ball across the line. Though it just barely crossed the goal line, it was enough. Cleveland had clawed their way back from two goals down and tied the match at 2-2.
As the clock ticked past 90 minutes, it felt like another draw might be in the cards for Cleveland. But this team wasn’t done.
In the second minute of stoppage time, Tamas Nagy took control. Cutting through two defenders with pace and precision, he unleashed a powerful right-footed strike that beat Writ and rippled the back of the net. George Finnie Stadium erupted as Nagy tore off his jersey in celebration, capping off one of the most dramatic victories of the NPSL season.
Post-Match Implications
With the win, Cleveland SC improves to 4-2-2 on the season and remains right in the thick of the Great Lakes Conference playoff race. Erie Commodores FC, who also won earlier in the evening, maintains a narrow points-per-game edge for fourth place, but Cleveland’s dramatic win keeps the pressure on.
Tamas Nagy praised the team’s resilience and the outpouring of fan support post-match: “I think it’s just believing in ourselves, and we come out here and we have a good amount of people coming out here to support us, so we just want to give everything to them. So, again, we’re just fighters and we keep giving everything until the end.”
Looking Ahead
Cleveland SC will look to close out its home schedule next Saturday in an afternoon matchup against Niagara 1812. It will be the final opportunity for home supporters to rally behind their team at George Finnie Stadium this season, and with the postseason in reach, fan support could make all the difference.
Saturday’s Youth Night crowd was electric and gave the team the lift they needed to pull off a miraculous comeback. A similar turnout next weekend could be the boost the team needs to secure a vital win against Niagara 1812 and solidify their place in the playoff picture.
While the come-from-behind victories have made for thrilling narratives, Coach Jovanovski will surely want to see his squad jump out to an early lead and control the match from start to finish. With just two matches left in the regular season, the margin for error is razor-thin.
But if Saturday night proved anything, it’s that Cleveland SC is a team built on fight, belief, and big-time moments. And as long as there are minutes left on the clock, Cleveland SC always has a chance.
Purchase your tickets [HERE] as Cleveland rounds out the home slate against Niagara 1812! Kickoff is set for 3 PM at George Finnie Stadium on Saturday, June 28th. All kids receive Free Entry at the gate!
You can watch all the highlights from Cleveland SC's thrilling come from behind victory [HERE] or visit our YouTube Channel to relive the entire match all over again!
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