All seemed to be lost in Ohio soccer in mid-December of 2017. Columbus Crew SC announced a possible relocation to Austin, TX in October. That was followed by an unexpected hiatus from Dayton Dynamo FC in November. By mid-December, the possibility of no high-level soccer in the Buckeye State became a reality with the folding of AFC Cleveland. But now months later, in early April of 2018, hope has been restored. The Save the Crew movement continues to stay relevant thanks to
This week Ottawa Fury FC announced the signing of AFC Cleveland and Cleveland State University standout Sergio Manesio. He is a product of both Tottenham Hotspurs and West Brom’s youth academy. “Sergio was the Defensive Player of the Year in back-to-back seasons with a great pedigree from Tottenham and West Brom,” said Fury FC GM and Head Coach Paul Dalglish. “He’s a winner first and foremost. He has a great character, great determination to win and fits in the culture we’re
It took AFC Cleveland 87 minutes to get a lead, but when Antonio Manfut scored, it would be the goal to beat Sonoma County Sol FC to win the 2016 National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) National Championship, 4-2. Manfut’s goal was just part of a six-goal thriller, as Sonoma County Sol FC Taylor Varnadore and AFC Cleveland’s Vinny Bell traded two goals each. AFC Cleveland’s Ryder Bell added a fourth in extra time. Photo Credit: Matthew Jones/ISNSoccer.com “(Tom) Beck got the
Photo Credit: Jeff Pejsa/AFC Cleveland Antonio Manfut has taken an interesting path with his soccer career that has landed him in the NPSL national semifinals with AFC Cleveland. The Royals will face off against Clarkstown SC Eagles tomorrow in what should be a closely contested match. Manfut played his high school soccer in his hometown of Cleveland, Ohio. While most high school athletes look to continue their career in college, Manfut took a different route. “I was going to attend college but
AFC Cleveland midfielder Skye Harter has been selected as the 12th Mitre National Player of the Week for the 2016 NPSL season. Harter scored a hat trick in AFC Cleveland’s 4-2 win over the Photo Credit: AFC Cleveland and Rachel Kraynak Erie Commodores. The win helped the Royals remain atop the Great Lakes East Conference. Harter has played a hand in five of Cleveland’s last eight goals in league play, for a total of three goals and two assists. Including friendlies, Harter has tallied three
AFC Cleveland today announced that Carter Poe will return as Head Coach for the team in the 2016 season. This will be Carter’s second year at the helm of the team, having served player/assistant coach in 2014. Assistant Coaches Brock Kertoy and Mario Gastaldo, who were members of Poe’s staff last season, will also be returning in 2016. “The organization is great. We had a good season last season and a lot of young guys, so I wanted to come back
AFC Cleveland goalkeeper Alex Ivanov has been named the 13th Mitre National Player of the Week for the 2015 NPSL season. Photo Credit: Brent Durken Ivanov faced ten shots and tallied five saves in Cleveland’s 2-0 win over the Indiana Fire. Three of the saves were clear goal-denying opportunities, preserving a clean sheet for Ivanov and the Royals. The Strongsville, Ohio native finished his collegiate career as one of the top goalkeepers in Ohio State University men’s soccer history. Ivanov is third on
Thomas Beck can certainly be called a fan favorite at AFC Cleveland, having been there from the very beginning. He has been a superb collegiate player at both the Division I (Cleveland State) and III levels (Mount Union) and now faces his next challenge, the NPSL Combine Tournament. Photo Credit: Rob Ivory/ISNSoccer.com This is an opportunity that Beck relishes for the right reasons. “I’m thrilled to have been given the opportunity to participate in the NPSL Combine and represent AFC Cleveland. The
The AFC Cleveland Royals fought the Fort Pitt Regiment to a tough 1-1 draw Wednesday night, after a late Vinny Bell goal evened up the score line. In a true Northeast Ohio fashion, the Cleveland Royals used grit and determination to pull out a draw. Needing every chance they could take, the Royals finally broke through in the 86th minute on a Bell goal. With Fort Pitt stifling key offensive opportunities all night, the Royals knew how important getting a point