Cleveland vs. Pittsburgh | Conference Final
The highly anticipated NPSL Playoffs continue as Cleveland SC prepares to face off against regional rivals Steel City FC in the Great Lakes Conference Final. The match is scheduled to kick off at 5:30 pm EST on Saturday, July 15th, at Founders Field in Cheswick, Pennsylvania, just northeast of Pittsburgh.
Steel City FC claimed the number one seed after winning the regular season conference title. On the other hand, Cleveland SC secured their spot in the final by defeating Michigan Rangers FC with a 1-0 victory in a rain-soaked, weather-delayed match on Wednesday evening in Grand Rapids. Julian Pellegrini emerged as the hero, scoring the match-winning goal in the forty-seventh minute.
This encounter marks the third meeting between the two clubs this season. In their previous matches, Steel City FC secured a 3-2 victory on their home turf, while both clubs played to a 1-1 draw in Cleveland. Interestingly, Cleveland and Steel City will meet for the third consecutive season in the NPSL playoffs. Cleveland emerged victorious in both previous encounters, defeating Steel City FC, formerly known as Pittsburgh Hotspurs, 4-0 at George Finnie Stadium in the Midwest Region Quarterfinals in 2021 and again in 2022 at Krenzler Field with a 2-1 victory.
Cleveland SC aims to maintain its momentum at Founders Field and advance to the Midwest Region Semifinals for the fifth consecutive season. However, Steel City FC is determined to overcome its historical obstacle and defeat Cleveland SC for the first time in the playoffs. With both teams hungry for victory, an intense battle on the pitch is expected.
Ticket Details
If you're a Cleveland fan in the Pittsburgh area or thinking about traveling, we encourage you to join us. General Admission tickets for the match can be purchased at the gate. Prices are set at $8 for adults and $2 for youth aged 15 and under. Bleacher seating is limited, so pack a folding chair to be safe.
Follow the Match Live
For those unable to attend in person, you can still catch all the action live on Eleven Sports. Kick-off is scheduled for 5:30 pm. Make sure to access the live stream link here to cheer on Cleveland SC from the comfort of your home.
Our Opponent
Steel City FC, led by Dan Brower, claimed the regular season title in the Great Lakes Conference. Their final three matches of the season included encounters with Cleveland SC and Michigan Rangers FC. They secured 3-2 victories over both Cleveland and Michigan on their home field, concluding the season with a 1-1 draw against Cleveland in an away match. Steel City's attacking front has been led by Nathan Prex and Tate Mohney, each scoring five goals. In their previous clash with Cleveland on Founders Field, Mohney, Anthony DiFalco, and Ryan Landry found the back of the net. Defender Justin Kopay was recognized as a member of the NPSL Team of the Month for June. Founders Field, their home ground, is a unique venue as it is the only natural grass pitch in the Great Lakes Conference and also serves as the home of the Pittsburgh Harlequins Rugby Football Club.
Club Notes
Cleveland SC's second-year Head Coach, Vlad Muresan, successfully neutralized Michigan's strengths in their recent match, and he hopes for a repeat performance from his squad at Founders Field. The team will need to recover quickly after a rain-soaked and weather-delayed match in Grand Rapids just two days ago. Julian Pellegrini, the hero of Wednesday night's match, scored his second goal of the season, both of which came against Michigan. In the previous encounter in Cheswick, Chris Cvecko and Marcus Pereira showcased their scoring prowess by finding the back of the net.
Cleveland SC calls upon all supporters in the Pittsburgh area and Cleveland to join them at Founders Field and show their unwavering support as the team goes head-to-head with Steel City FC in the NPSL conference final.
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