Match Preview | Cleveland SC vs FC Columbus
CheeseBarn Derby Part I
It's a highly anticipated weekend for soccer fans as Cleveland SC gears up to face FC Columbus not once, but twice in the thrilling "CheeseBarn Derby." The last time these teams clashed was back in 2019, but the outcome carries significant weight this time. The first match kicks off this evening on Friday, June 16th at 7:00 pm EST, taking place at George Finnie Stadium located on the campus of Baldwin Wallace University in Berea, Ohio.
Although Cleveland SC and FC Columbus have been in separate conferences since joining the league in 2018, this will be their fourth encounter. In their inaugural season, they engaged in a home-and-away friendly series, with both teams securing victories on the road, resulting in a 5-5 aggregate scoreline. In 2019, Cleveland visited Columbus once again for a friendly, resulting in a hard-fought 1-1 draw.
Soccer enthusiasts making their way to the match from up or down Interstate 71 should make a pit stop at the famous Grandpa's Cheesbarn & Sweeties Chocolates in Ashland, Ohio. Indulge in some cheese and grab a tasty snack to bring along to the match.
Ticket details
Tickets for tonight are priced at $15, and children aged 11 and under can enjoy free entry, both online and at the gate. Fans can purchase tickets through the following link.
Get your TICKETS HERE
Food Truck
We are delighted to welcome Bee’z Bitez Food Truck to tonight’s match, featuring classic handhelds, gourmet burgers, seafood delights, and more. Chef Brian serves up delicious options from casual to fancy, like salmon 'n' shrimp alfredo, BBQ smoked chicken with loaded potatoes, and a piled-high crab boil. Make sure to check them out just outside the gates of George Finnie Stadium for an exceptional food experience.
Follow the match live
Those unable to attend can still catch all the action live on Cleveland SC YouTube Channel with Gianluca DiGiacoma providing live commentary from George Finnie Stadium. Kick-off is scheduled for 7:00 pm, so tune in through the live stream link here to cheer on Cleveland SC from the comfort of your home.
Our opponent
FC Columbus has faced some challenges during the first half of the season, with one win and five losses after reaching the NPSL Midwest Regional Quarterfinals in 2022. The lone win came against Erie Commodores FC on May 28th at home and in their most recent match, they suffered a 4-1 defeat at home against conference leaders Steel City FC. The club joined the NPSL in 2018 and was originally established in 1995 as the Santos Futbol Club of Columbus under the leadership of owner and head coach Maziya Chete, alongside associate head coach Seymour Alleyne. Hazem Sobhy, a former Cleveland SC player and University of Akron graduate, has started in four matches for FC Columbus.
Club Notes
Under the guidance of Head Coach Vlad Muresan, Cleveland SC will have twenty-one available players for selection at George Finnie Stadium. After playing their last two matches on the road and earning just one point, the team is eager to perform at home and kick off the second half of the season in better form. Goal-scoring has proven challenging, with only five goals scored throughout the season. However, Cleveland SC is optimistic that their attacking front can find the back of the net this weekend. With the home crowd's support, they aim to secure three crucial points.
Be sure to grab your tickets and join us at George Finnie Stadium to support the squad on what should be a beautiful June evening.
Squad
GOALKEEPERS: Pedro Alves, Ryan Poling
DEFENDERS: Ben Bolinger, Boban Cancar, Chris Cvecko, Quinn Groves, Benjamin Hryszko, Adam Kalvitz, Bobby Tsirambidis
MIDFIELDERS: Frederic Heitzer, Angel Murillo, Marcus Vinicius Pereira, Emilio Spetic, Admir Suljevic
FORWARDS: Tom Beck, Parker Csiszar, Jack Foht, Carter Hancock, Bojan Kolevski, Julian Pellegrini, Logan Penton
Don't miss a match! Season Tickets are still available and can be found here.
Single Match-Tickets can be purchased at clevelandsc.com/tickets
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