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Peeling Out…Spinning the tires for ACFC!

Peeling Out…Spinning the tires with Akron City FC

 

This is our new piece on all things rolling with Akron City FC, the NPSL team from Akron, Ohio. Now in their second year, the club hopes to build on their first year experience and make the playoffs. 

The Club has been busy building their roster and working with new head coach, Andy Hoggarth. Official training started May 2nd and their first game is slated for May 13th against one of the new additions to the league and division, Steel City FC.

 

But what is most interesting is the youth and local players that ACFC is bringing into the roster. Players from University of Akron, Walsh College and high schoolers who cut their teeth in NE Ohio and the surrounding area dot the new list of footballers ready to don the sky blue, red and white uniforms.

 

First game: Saturday, May 13th

 

 

Schedule:

 

 

 

Tickets:

 

https://akroncityfc.com/pages/schedule

 

Roster additions:

 

Let’s take a quick look at some of the newcomers. The player, their position, recent school and hometown are listed.

 

Gyuwon Chong MF University of Akron, Kansas City, MO.

 

 

 

Adam Lubell DF Marshall/Georgia Southern, Moreland Hills, OH.

 

 

 

Sam Tojaga MF University of Akron, Erie, PA.

 

 

 

Nick Bertolini GK Walsh College, Akron, OH. (Recent Akron St Vincent/St Mary Grad!)

 

 

 

Colin Biros MF Syracuse University, Jackson, OH. Former NCAA Champion!

 

 

Steven Samuelson DF John Carroll University, Medina, OH.

 

Brenden Swann MF John Carroll, North Royalton, OH.

 

RC Schmeider MF University of Louisville, Aurora, OH.

 

 

 

Nathan Childress MF Wofford College, Marietta, GA.

 

First new club-Steel City FC

Steel City FC is a rebranding of the old Pittsburgh Hotspurs tied with the youth part of their program, Arsenal FC of Pittsburgh. The Hotspurs were associated with the NPSL recently in the old Rust Belt division. But part of the idea in 2021 was to merge the youth and adult programs to build a stronger foothold for players in the Western PA area to build a future in soccer.

 

Arsenal FC of Pittsburgh has had much success in their youth teams the past ten years or so. So the combining of the two makes a great deal of sense. Steel City finally had success in the NPSL last year even holding onto first place in the Rust Belt conference over their Cleveland rivals.

 

Longtime player, Nicky Kolarac, has been with the club since the inception and has been excited to see the progress the club has made. Here’s a great interview with Pittsburgh Sports Live.

 

 

 

Dan Brower returns as coach for the club. He has traveled through the program as Arsenal coach and onwards. According to the website, he will still have his assistants from last year, Peter Mulhern, Mark Duffield (goalkeeper coach), along with Tom Campbell and Daniel Yates.

 

Roster

 

There are many returning players from the club last year like striker Bryan Akongo and defender Wiliam Afawubo. Garrett Watson, who made some amazing saves in the playoffs last year against Cleveland SC, returns as does the goal scorer, Tate Mohney.

 

Mix in some new blood from overseas England and players from Division 1 schools like the University of Dayton and University of Pittsburgh and you have a solid team returning to the league.

 

New Shield

Pittsburgh soccer fans in Summit and Stark counties? Follow Steel City here on Twitter or Instagram.

 

New Year New Ideas

ACFC has many exciting programs and new content for their fans! Follow them on social media.

 

Twitter: Akron City on Twitter

 

Instagram: Akron City on Instagram

 

Merch! Gotta have it!

 

 

Sweetness! Thanks to Rubber City Clothing for these team shirts! They will probably run out quickly, so remember, Mother’s Day coming soon! And graduation! And Father’s Day. Won’t you be the best family member for remembering your loved ones?

 

Get your tickets ASAP, just like how y’all grabbed the first batch of Hoppin’ Frog Turbo Shandy!

 

 

I am a math teacher in SW Ohio. Born and raised in NE Ohio, I am married with four sons who keep the flame burning for all things Cleveland. I cover soccer, betting, football and anything that focuses on the human side of sports.

1 Comment

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  1. Pingback: ACFC and Cleveland SC Battle for I-77 Rights!

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