Match Report | Erie Commodores FC vs Cleveland SC

Cleveland SC Falls Short in Season Finale vs Erie Commodores FC, 2-0

Cleveland SC’s 2025 season came to a heartbreaking close Saturday evening in Erie, as the squad fell 2-0 to Erie Commodores FC in a winner-take-all matchup for a playoff berth. Needing only a draw to advance to the postseason, Cleveland was undone by two penalty kicks from Erie defender Ben Buckley and a relentless Erie attack that kept the pressure on for most of the match.

First Half: Defensive Heroics

From the opening whistle, Erie played with urgency, knowing that only a win would punch their ticket to the playoffs. Cleveland, meanwhile, leaned heavily on a resilient defensive unit and an inspired performance from goalkeeper Ryan Poling, who made an astounding seven saves to keep the match competitive.

Poling was called into action early and often. Inside the opening 16 minutes, he made three highlight-reel saves, including a massive stop in the 16th minute when Erie’s Cade Wurstner broke free down the middle for a one-on-one chance. Poling came off his line decisively and smothered the shot, denying Erie the early lead.

The most dramatic defensive sequence of the first half came in the 22nd minute. Erie striker Luis Felipe Santos broke down the left wing and fired a shot that Poling parried away, but the rebound rolled directly to another Erie attacker. With Poling off his line, it looked like a certain goal—until Noah Sandahl raced back and made an incredible goal-line clearance to preserve the scoreless draw.

But just before the half, the pressure finally paid off for Erie. In the 42nd minute, Santos was played in again, this time drawing a foul inside the box as Sandahl and Poling converged. Buckley calmly stepped up and buried the penalty down the middle in the 45th minute, giving Erie a 1-0 lead going into the halftime break.

Second Half: Missed Opportunities

Cleveland SC struggled to gain offensive traction in the first half and failed to register a shot on target. The trend continued into the second half as Erie continued to press and deny Cleveland space in the final third.

Despite the setback, Poling continued to shine in goal, making more crucial saves in the 61st and 66th minutes to keep Cleveland within striking distance. But unlike the last several matches, there would be no late-game magic.

In the 91st minute, Erie iced the game. Lucas Basmadjian drove down the right wing and was tripped up by Alexandru Rumleanschi inside the box. Buckley stepped up again and slotted a confident left-footed strike into the corner of the net in the 92nd minute to seal the 2-0 win.

Something to Build on in 2026

Though Cleveland SC narrowly missed the playoffs, there’s much to be proud of from the 2025 campaign. The squad finished with a 5-2-3 record and will have plenty to build on as they head into next season.

Head Coach Joe Jovanovski, in his second season at the helm, continued to demonstrate his deep commitment to the club, its players, and the community. His steady leadership and belief in the team’s potential were evident throughout the year, and he’ll be motivated to return in 2026 to guide Cleveland SC to new heights.

Tamas Nagy, Nicolas Vagujhelyi, and Cian Tunney emerged as attacking threats in the second half of the season, combining for nine goals over the final four games of the year. Vagujhelyi’s electric performances—including a hat trick against Buffalo and nomination for NPSL Player of the Month—made him one of the most dangerous forwards in the Great Lakes Conference.

Goalkeeping was another bright spot, with Zoltan Nagy and Ryan Poling splitting time between the posts and delivering clutch saves throughout the year. Poling’s performance in Erie—despite the loss—was a fitting cap to a season full of standout moments.

Defensively, Cleveland showed resilience and structure, with key contributions from Uleto Fuentes, Bobby Turner, Jordan Lewis, Alexandru Rumleanschi, and Kris McDonald. The back line remained organized under pressure and provided the foundation for several comeback results throughout the year.

Captain Kyle Healy was a steadying force in the midfield throughout the 2025 campaign. His composure under pressure, leadership on and off the pitch, and ability to rally the squad in key moments were instrumental in Cleveland SC’s come from behind victories and overall team cohesion.

Cleveland fans were treated to thrilling late-game victories and heart-pounding drama throughout the summer, including comeback wins against the Buffalo Stallions and Syracuse FC and a late game draw against conference winners Flower City Union. The 6th City Syndicate supporters group was present in Erie for the finale and received a special post-match thank you from players who stayed to greet them and share appreciation for their support.

Off the pitch, the club’s connection with the community continued to grow, especially through themed match nights like Youth Club Night and local promotions that brought new fans into the fold.

With the season now concluded, Cleveland SC will begin preparations for 2026—a year that promises to be monumental for soccer in the United States with the FIFA World Cup set to take place on home soil.

The Great Lakes Conference playoff semifinals are set: Flower City Union will host Erie Commodores FC, and Ambassadors FC Ohio will take on Rochester NY FC Academy on Wednesday, July 9.

Thank You, Cleveland

To our fans, families, volunteers, and partners - thank you for an incredible season of passion, resilience, and unforgettable moments. We’ll be back stronger in 2026. Until then, stay connected with us on social media and subscribe to the Cleveland SC YouTube Channel for exclusive offseason content.

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