Cleveland SC

For the previous six seasons, from 2012 to 2017, AFC Cleveland had represented the city of Cleveland in the National Premier Soccer League. That run included an NPSL national championship in 2016, as well as two appearances in the U.S. Open Cup.{{cite news|last=Sferra|first=German|url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2022/03/from-intern-to-owner-the-story-of-clevelands-soccer-club|title=From intern to owner: The story of Cleveland's soccer club|website=United States Soccer Federation|access-date=February 7, 2023|date=March 31, 2022}} However, the club was expelled from the NPSL due to "not [being] in good financial standing with the league."{{cite tweet|user=NPSLSoccer|number=940667494355931136|date=December 12, 2017|title=NEWS: The #NPSL today announced the termination of the memberships of AFC Cleveland (@AFCCleveland) and Sports Club Corinthians USA (@SCorinthiansUSA) in line with the NPSL Bylaws for teams not in good financial standing with the league.|access-date=October 20, 2019}} That announcement came on December 12, 2017, just months before the new season was set to begin.{{cite news|last=Johnston|first=Kevin|url=https://www.soctakes.com/2019/02/11/cleveland-sc-90-day-launch/|title=90-day launch? No sweat for Cleveland SC|website=Soc Takes|access-date=February 10, 2023|date=February 11, 2019}}

{{quote box|width=25%|align=right|quote="Cleveland SC is going to bring a fanbase filled with pride. Cleveland has a soccer fan base that is a sleeping giant and we intend to tap into that immediately. Cleveland has the best sports fans anywhere and our opponents will learn that quickly."|source=—Samuel Seibert, club owner and president}}

The catalysts for founding Cleveland SC were two former AFC Cleveland players, Coletun Long and Chris Cvecko. According to Long, the two "started having a conversation in the car and talked further in a Chipotle parking lot outside the city. We wrote down ideas and called teammates and others previously associated with AFC Cleveland."{{cite news|last=Burden|first=Brian|url=https://www.protagonistsoccer.com/features/being-as-cleveland-as-possible|title=Being as Cleveland as Possible|website=Protagonist Soccer|access-date=October 19, 2019|date=December 11, 2018}} One of those people contacted was Samuel Seibert, a Northeast Ohio native who had been on the media relations staff for AFC Cleveland. He went on to take the lead on the NPSL expansion process, culminating in an official announcement of Cleveland SC as an NPSL expansion club on February 19, 2018.{{cite web|url=https://www.wkyc.com/article/sports/soccer/cleveland-sc-added-to-national-premier-soccer-league/95-520962594|title=Cleveland SC added to National Premier Soccer League|website=WKYC|publisher=Tegna Inc.|access-date=October 19, 2019|date=February 19, 2018}}{{cite web|last=Green|first=Chris|url=https://stadiumjourney.com/news/cleveland-adds-pro-soccer-team/|title=Cleveland Adds Pro Soccer Team|website=Stadium Journey|access-date=October 19, 2019|date=February 26, 2018}} That announcement came just 90 days before the club was set to play its first regular season match.

Prior to the season beginning, CSC announced that the club would play its inaugural season at Don Shula Stadium, located in University Heights, Ohio on the campus of John Carroll University.{{cite news|last=McKee|first=Vince|url=https://www.neosportsinsiders.com/cleveland-sc-announces-venue-for-2018-season/|title=Cleveland SC Announces Venue For 2018 Season|website=NEO Sports Insiders|access-date=October 19, 2019|date=March 6, 2018}} In conjunction with local designers, a crest and kits featuring an orange and black color combination were launched in mid-March, less than a month before the club's inaugural match.{{cite web|last=McKee|first=Vince|url=https://www.neosportsinsiders.com/cleveland-sc-unveils-new-crest-and-logo/|title=Cleveland SC Unveils New Crest And Logo|website=NEO Sports Insiders|access-date=October 19, 2019|date=March 23, 2018}} Ryan Osborne was announced as the club's first head coach and the first two matches in club history took part in April, the inaugural edition of the Cheese Barn Derby against FC Columbus. The first-ever league match in CSC history took place on May 19, 2018, ending in a 2–0 victory over Rochester Lancers courtesy of goals from Declan McGivern and American futsal international Antonio Manfut.{{cite web|url=https://www.npsl.com/2476/|title=Cleveland SC victorious in inaugural NPSL match|website=National Premier Soccer League|access-date=October 19, 2019|date=May 21, 2018}} After a second-place finish in the Midwest-East, the club qualified for the playoffs and defeated Erie Commodores in the quarterfinals before falling to AFC Ann Arbor in the regional semifinals.{{cite web|last=Ekman|first=Tesh|url=http://pressurelife.com/clevelands-other-football-team/|title=Cleveland's Other Football Team|website=Pressure Magazine|access-date=October 19, 2019|date=April 30, 2019}}

File:Cleveland Skyline (24617868562).jpg and are considered to be an icon of the city of Cleveland.{{cite web|last=Trickey|first=Erick|url=https://clevelandmagazine.com/in-the-cle/articles/the-guardians-of-traffic|title=Iconic Cleveland: The History Behind Cleveland's Guardians of Traffic|website=Cleveland Magazine|access-date=February 7, 2023|date=July 23, 2021}}]]

When Cleveland SC was founded, the first part of the club identity to be decided was the colors: orange and black. The color scheme was chosen because of its uniqueness in the NPSL and therefore an ability to visually stand out from the crowd. Orange was chosen to represent the sunsets over Lake Erie that are common in the Cleveland summer. Although the colors are visually similar to the Cleveland Browns of the National Football League, the Cleveland SC colors were not inspired by the Browns identity.{{cite news|last=Vaughn|first=Dan|url=https://www.protagonistsoccer.com/uniformity/2018/11/16/cleveland-sc-tying-the-club-to-the-city|title=Cleveland SC: Tying the Club to the City|website=Protagonist Soccer|access-date=February 7, 2023|date=November 16, 2018}}

The club crest was designed by Mike Kubinski of Cleveland Clothing Co., a local T-shirt company headquartered in Lakewood, Ohio. The name and founding year of the club, stylized in Roman numerals, feature at the top of the badge. An image of one of the Guardians of Traffic statues comprises the focal point of the badge. The statues are located on the Hope Memorial Bridge in Downtown Cleveland and are also the namesake of the Cleveland Guardians of Major League Baseball, although the baseball team didn't adopt that nickname until 2021. Club owner Samuel Seibert said the reason for the choice was that "one of the coolest things in the city of Cleveland that wasn't getting enough publicity at the time was our transportation bridge", and because the bridge connects the east and west sides of the city.

Cleveland SC's original kits were designed by club creative director Cory Mizer. The orange home shirt featured a depiction of the Cleveland skyline. The black away shirt featured an orange chevron across the chest, with the shape of the chevron inspired by the shape of the Lake Erie shoreline. These kits, manufactured by Admiral Sportswear, were worn for the first two seasons of the club's existence. Ahead of the 2020 season, Cleveland switched manufacturers to UN1TUS, a local company headquartered in Westlake, Ohio. The new orange kit kept the same design, while the away kit was replaced by a white shirt featuring a much larger chevron, although it kept the Art Deco detailing inspired by the pattern on the Guardians statues.{{cite tweet|user=SoccerCLE|number=1254174122839588866|title=We are extremely pleased to present our new look for 2020. We want to thank our great partners @UN1TUS @PlatformBeerco @CLECLOTHINGCO, Carbon Athletics and of course @NPSLSoccer|access-date=February 7, 2023|date=April 25, 2020}} After two years, Cleveland SC unveiled new kits ahead of the 2022 season. White was worn at home, with black returning as the away shirt. Both jerseys, paired with orange shorts and socks, featured the statue from the logo in a detail on the right side of the shirt.{{cite news|url=https://www.clevelandsoccerclub.com/post/cleveland-sc-2022-kits|title=New Look for 2022!|website=Cleveland SC|access-date=February 7, 2023|date=May 13, 2022}}

File:Baldwin Wallace Homecoming (15449021795).jpg match at George Finnie Stadium.]]

Cleveland SC hosted its first round match in the 2023 U.S. Open Cup at Drive Morris Stadium in North Olmsted, Ohio.{{cite press release|url=https://www.ussoccer.com/stories/2023/02/first-round-of-100-team-2023-lamar-hunt-us-open-cup-kicks-off-with-14-games-on-march-21-23|title=First round of 100-team Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup kicks off with 14 games on March 21–23|publisher=United States Soccer Federation|location=Chicago|access-date=February 8, 2023|date=February 3, 2023}} The stadium, which was built in 2018, has a capacity of 4,000. North Olmsted High School, the primary tenants of the stadium, play football, soccer, and track and field at Drive Morris.

Cleveland SC played its inaugural season at Don Shula Stadium, located in University Heights, Ohio on the campus of John Carroll University. The head coach of the Blue Streaks men's soccer program at the time, Hector Marinaro, helped secure the stadium availability for CSC. On May 19, 2018, in the first competitive game in club history, Cleveland defeated Rochester Lancers by a 2–0 scoreline at Shula.{{cite web|url=http://npsl.bonzidev.com/sam/standings/ss/view_game_report.php?eventId=4973535&teamId=6436124|title=Cleveland SC 2–0 Rochester Lancers|website=National Premier Soccer League|access-date=July 22, 2018|date=May 19, 2018}} Cleveland finished with four wins, one loss, and one tie at Shula Stadium, while averaging 200 to 300 fans per game.{{cite news|last=Kleps|first=Kevin|url=https://www.crainscleveland.com/article/20180610/news/164556/new-cleveland-semipro-soccer-team-hot-start|title=New Cleveland semipro soccer team is off to a hot start|website=Crain's Cleveland Business|publisher=Crain Communications|access-date=July 22, 2018|date=June 10, 2018|url-access=subscription}}

Due to renovation work at Shula Stadium over the summer of 2019, Cleveland SC moved to Baldwin Wallace University's George Finnie Stadium, located in Berea, Ohio.{{cite press release|last=Ruple|first=Kevin|url=https://www.bwyellowjackets.com/general/2018-19/releases/clesc|title=Baldwin Wallace to Host Cleveland SC Games This Summer|publisher=Baldwin Wallace Yellow Jackets|location=Berea, Ohio|access-date=February 7, 2023|date=February 26, 2019}} The debut match at the stadium was on May 5, an international friendly against Mexican side Monarcas Morelia Reserves as part of the Neighbor Nations Showdown.{{cite press release|url=https://www.clevelandsc.com/?p=2926|title=Club will play on the campus of Baldwin Wallace University|publisher=Cleveland SC|location=Cleveland|access-date=February 20, 2019|date=February 20, 2019|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190221054710/https://www.clevelandsc.com/?p=2926|archive-date=February 21, 2019}} CSC returned to the stadium ahead of the 2021 season and spent two more years in Berea, losing just three total home games across those three seasons.{{cite news|last=Scott|first=DeWayne|url=https://www.clevelandsoccerclub.com/post/we-ve-found-our-home|title=We've Found Our Home|website=Cleveland SC|access-date=February 8, 2023|date=May 26, 2021}} Cleveland SC hosted two NPSL playoff games at the George Finnie in 2021, as well as the club's U.S. Open Cup debut, a first round victory against Chicago FC United in March 2022.{{cite news|last=Nolan Jr.|first=Chuck|url=https://thecup.us/2022/03/22/2022-us-open-cup-round-1-day-1-preview/|title=2022 US Open Cup round 1, Day 1 preview|website=TheCup.us|access-date=February 8, 2023|date=March 22, 2022}}

In between stints at the George Finnie, Cleveland SC announced ahead of the 2020 season that they would play home matches at two stadiums that year: Lakewood Stadium, in Lakewood, Ohio, and Krenzler Field, on the campus of Cleveland State University.{{cite tweet|user=SoccerCLE|number=1231972944068456450|date=February 24, 2020|title=Come support #ClevelandSC this season with April and May home games taking place at Lakewood High School and June home games taking place at Krenzler Field at #CSU. Schedule to be announced soon!...|access-date=February 8, 2023}} However, the NPSL season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and CSC did not play a home game in the two cup competitions they took part in.{{cite news|url=http://www.npsl.com/14023/|title=A message from Kenneth Farrell, NPSL chairman of the board|website=National Premier Soccer League|access-date=February 27, 2021|date=March 26, 2020}} The club returned to both stadiums during the 2022 season, playing one regular season game in Lakewood and their Midwest Region quarterfinal at Krenzler.{{cite news|last=Perez-Krywany|first=Mark|url=https://www.morningjournal.com/2022/07/20/avon-native-dakota-jonkes-game-winner-solidifies-shining-moment-in-cleveland-sc-pittsburgh-hotspurs-rivalry/|title=Avon native Dakota Jonke's game-winner solidifies shining moment in Cleveland SC, Pittsburgh Hotspurs rivalry|website=The Morning Journal|publisher=MediaNews Group|access-date=February 8, 2023|date=July 20, 2022}}

Cleveland SC has hosted friendly matches at two other stadiums. The first match in club history, against FC Columbus in 2018, was played at Highland Stadium in Medina, Ohio, and a game against Ambassadors FC Ohio in 2021 was held at Sparky DiBiasio Stadium in Euclid, Ohio.{{cite news|last=Scott|first=DeWayne|url=https://www.clevelandsoccerclub.com/post/know-your-enemy|title=Know Your Enemy|website=Cleveland SC|access-date=February 8, 2023|date=May 16, 2021}}

{{quote box|width=25%|align=right|quote="All of us are really different, but it does not matter. If you support Cleveland soccer, we are happy to have you...You don't find your club; your club finds you. I'm here for anything NPSL. It is much more intimate here."|source=—RJ Pooch, one of the leaders of 6th City Syndicate}}

The organized supporters' group for Cleveland SC is the 6th City Syndicate (6CS).{{cite web|url=https://6thcitycleveland.wordpress.com|title=6th City Syndicate {{pipe}} Cleveland's Soccer Supporters|website=6th City Syndicate|access-date=February 8, 2023}} 6CS is an independent group that predates the founding of the club: they previously supported AFC Cleveland before coming along after the creation of Cleveland SC. During matches, 6CS hangs painted banners, sings songs and chants, and lets off smoke after every Cleveland goal.{{cite web|url=https://6thcitycleveland.wordpress.com/chants-2/|title=Songs & Chants {{pipe}} 6th City Syndicate|website=6th City Syndicate|date=11 February 2015 |access-date=February 8, 2023}}

6CS has declared itself to be "against racism, sexism, homophobia, religious intolerance...bigotry of any kind, violence, and the threat of violence real or perceived." The group has participated in the yearly Prideraiser campaign, raising money for the LGBT Community Center of Greater Cleveland.{{cite web|url=https://www.prideraiser.org/campaigns/6cs-cleveland-prideraiser-cle-2021-1BQM6RX72JJZo/|title=Prideraiser CLE 2021 presented by 6CS Cleveland|website=Prideraiser|access-date=February 8, 2023|date=June 27, 2021}}

{{updated|March 20, 2023|{{cite web|url=https://www.clevelandsoccerclub.com/roster-2023|title=Club Roster {{pipe}} Cleveland SC|website=Cleveland SC|access-date=March 24, 2023}}{{cite press release|url=https://www.clevelandsoccerclub.com/post/first-round-u-s-open-cup-roster-announcement-2023|title=U.S. Open Cup Roster Announcement|publisher=Cleveland SC|access-date=March 24, 2023|date=March 20, 2023}}}}

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player |pos=GK |nat=BRA |name=Pedro Alves}}

{{Fs player |pos=FW |nat=USA |name=Tom Beck}}

{{Fs player |pos=FW |nat=USA |name=Vinny Bell}}

{{Fs player |pos=FW |nat=USA |name=Chris Brennan}}

{{Fs player |pos=GK |nat=ENG |name=Conor Cable}}

{{Fs player |pos=DF |nat=USA |name=Boban Cancar}}

{{Fs player |pos=MF |nat=USA |name=Parker Csiszar}}

{{Fs player |pos=DF |nat=USA |name=Chris Cvecko}}

{{Fs player |pos=MF |nat=USA |name=Mike Derezic}}

{{Fs player |pos=FW |nat=USA |name=Nicholas Felician}}

{{Fs player |pos=MF |nat=USA |name=Skye Harter}}

{{Fs mid}}

{{Fs player |pos=DF |nat=USA |name=Conner Hollett}}

{{Fs player |pos=DF |nat=USA |name=Ben Hryszko}}

{{Fs player |pos=MF |nat=USA |name=Petar Janjetovic}}

{{Fs player |pos=MF |nat=USA |name=Dan Koniarczyk}}

{{Fs player |pos=FW |nat=USA |name=Andrew Nicholas}}

{{Fs player |pos=GK |nat=USA |name=Connor Robinson}}

{{Fs player |pos=DF |nat=ITA |name=Alexandru Rumleanschi}}

{{Fs player |pos=MF |nat=GER |name=Jannis Schmidt}}

{{Fs player |pos=MF |nat=BIH |name=Admir Suljevic}}

{{Fs player |pos=MF |nat=SCO |name=Kieran Toland}}

{{Fs player |pos=DF |nat=ENG |name=Josh Wates}}

{{Fs end}}

{| class="wikitable"

|-

!colspan=2|Front office

|-

{{Fb cs staff|p=Owner and president|s=Samuel Seibert}}

|-

!colspan=2|Coaching staff

|-

{{Fb cs staff|p=Head coach|s=Joe Jovanovski}}

{{Fb cs staff|p=Assistant coach|s={{ubl|Reid Ayers|Armando Cesare|Stephen Trudic}}}}

{{Fb cs footer|u=July 24, 2022|s=[http://clevelandsc.bonzidev.com/sam/teams/index.php?team=15629636 2022 Cleveland SC season]|date=July 24, 2022}}

Ahead of the club's inaugural season, Cleveland SC hired Ryan Osborne as the first head coach in club history.{{cite press release|url=https://clevelandsc.com/2018/03/13/cleveland-sc-announce-first-head-coach/|title=Ryan "Ozzy" Osborne Tabbed as First Cleveland SC Head Coach|publisher=Cleveland SC|location=Cleveland|access-date=February 9, 2023|date=March 13, 2018|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180517153801/https://clevelandsc.com/2018/03/13/cleveland-sc-announce-first-head-coach/|archive-date=May 17, 2018}} Osborne, a former player for the Charleston Golden Eagles and West Virginia Chaos, also served as an assistant coach for the Notre Dame Falcons during his time in charge of Cleveland.{{cite web|url=https://notredamefalcons.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/coaches/ryan-osborne/1228|title=Ryan Osborne – Men's Soccer Coach – Notre Dame College Athletics|website=Notre Dame Falcons|publisher=Notre Dame College|access-date=February 9, 2023}} In 2019, Cleveland claimed the East Conference and Midwest Region championships and Osborne was named as the conference coach of the year.{{cite press release|last=Butler|first=Craig|url=https://hurstathletics.com/news/2020/1/16/osborne-selected-to-lead-mercyhurst-mens-soccer.aspx|title=Osborne Selected to Lead Mercyhurst Men's Soccer|publisher=Mercyhurst Lakers|location=Erie, Pennsylvania|access-date=February 9, 2023|date=January 16, 2020}} He departed after that season to take the head coaching position at Mercyhurst and was replaced by one of his assistant coaches, Lewis Dunne.{{cite press release|url=https://www.clevelandsoccerclub.com/post/getting-your-star-players-ready-for-college-recruitment-season|title=Cleveland SC Corp. Announces Lewis Dunne as Next Head Coach|publisher=Cleveland SC|location=Cleveland|access-date=February 9, 2023|date=January 22, 2020}} A former Cleveland SC player, Dunne also served as an assistant at Notre Dame during his time with the club.{{cite web|url=https://notredamefalcons.com/sports/mens-soccer/roster/coaches/lewis-dunne/1344|title=Lewis Dunne – Men's Soccer Coach – Notre Dame College Athletics|website=Notre Dame Falcons|publisher=Notre Dame College|access-date=February 9, 2023}} He led Cleveland to the conference-region title double in 2021, then coached the club during its U.S. Open Cup debut in 2022. Dunne departed following that cup run to take a position as assistant coach and recruiting coordinator at IUPUI.{{cite press release|last=Holdaway|first=Ed|url=https://iupuijags.com/news/2022/4/12/mens-soccer-van-druenen-announces-mens-soccer-coaching-staff.aspx|title=Van Druenen announces men's soccer coaching staff|publisher=IUPUI Jaguars|location=Indianapolis|access-date=February 9, 2023|date=April 12, 2022}}

After Dunne's departure, Cleveland hired Vlad Muresan, the head boys soccer coach at the Hawken School, as his replacement.{{cite news|last=Petrello|first=Bill|url=https://www.neosportsinsiders.com/cleveland-sc-hires-new-coach-vlad-muresan/|title=Cleveland SC Hires New Coach Vlad Muresan|website=NEO Sports Insiders|access-date=January 24, 2023|date=May 26, 2022}} Muresan, a former player for Ohio Vortex and Akron Summit Assault, led the club to a Rust Belt Conference title and a return to the Open Cup in his first year in charge.{{cite web|url=http://clevelandsc.bonzidev.com/sam/teams/index.php?team=15629636|title=Cleveland SC 2022 NPSL season|website=National Premier Soccer League|access-date=January 21, 2023}}

Cleveland SC streams all home matches online. Vince McKee, the founder of the local KEE On Sports Media Group, has served as the play-by-play commentator for every season of the club's existence, while Cole McDaniel has been the primary color commentator, calling four out of five seasons.{{cite news|last=McKee|first=Vince|url=https://keeonsports.com/npsl-cancels-season/|title=NPSL Cancels Season|website=KEE On Sports Media Group|access-date=April 11, 2020|date=March 26, 2020|quote=Our very own Vince McKee, Eli Mooneyham and Cole McDaniel have been the voice of Cleveland SC of the NPSL.}}{{cite tweet|user=SoccerCLE|number=1564393638569906180|title=🎙 Appreciation post for @SportsKee1 duo Vince McKee and @cdm_2910! This was Vince's 5th year calling our matches on the live stream and Cole's 4th year on the mic. Both are professional and talented on the mic! We thank you for joining us for another season. 👏👏👏#WeAreCLE|access-date=February 10, 2023|date=August 29, 2022}} For the first three years, Cleveland SC matches were on MyCujoo, the streaming partner of the NPSL; since 2021, they have been viewable on Eleven Sports.{{cite web|url=https://elevensports.com/en/video/cleveland-sc|title=Cleveland SC at ELEVEN|website=Eleven Sports|access-date=February 10, 2023}}

In May 2019, Cleveland SC acquired the rights to Rubber City FC, a planned expansion team in the Northern Ohio Soccer League (NOSL).{{cite web|author=Cleveland SC|url=https://www.facebook.com/SoccerCleveland/posts/845755602465626|title=BREAKING💥: Our Club's Ownership has reached an agreement with Rubber City FC that will give Cleveland SC ownership the rights to use the Akron-based club's branding elements and name...|website=Facebook|publisher=Meta Platforms|access-date=February 10, 2023|date=May 18, 2019}} Based in Akron, Ohio, the club had previously attempted to join the NPSL before that move fell through for financial reasons.{{cite web|author=Rubber City Football Club|url=https://www.facebook.com/RubberCityFC/posts/pfbid0k45Y55PyMGrTQ2PTzC1H5856UUF9i34ykLVdY23RoVHQS3kqV3wF71WpebDkk4Gal|title=So NPSL is not happening for us right nowm [sic] the expansion fee is a bit much for a couple people with modest jobs, especially with the uncertainty surrounding the league and USSF. We are looking for "Non-League" options and will have an announcement soon.|website=Facebook|publisher=Meta Platforms|access-date=February 10, 2023|date=August 15, 2018}} However, Rubber City never took the field after the 2020 NOSL season was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic. The following year, Forest City FC (FCFC) was unveiled as the new reserve side for Cleveland SC, also playing in the NOSL. The team name and crest took homage from the Cleveland Forest Citys, a professional baseball team based in the city in the early 1870s.{{cite news|url=https://www.noslsoccer.com/forest-city-fc-becomes-eighth-team-in-nosl|title=Forest City FC becomes eighth team in NOSL|website=Northern Ohio Soccer League|access-date=February 27, 2021|date=January 31, 2020}} FCFC played one season, finishing last place in the NOSL in 2021. They won just one of eight games played, although several players made the jump to the CSC first team during the 2021 NISA Independent Cup.{{cite web|url=https://www.noslsoccer.com/2021-archive|title=2021 NOSL Archives|website=Northern Ohio Soccer League|access-date=February 10, 2023|date=July 3, 2021}}

Since Akron City FC joined the NPSL in 2022, Cleveland SC has had a heated rivalry with their opponents to the south. The derby has been known by many names: the North Coast Cup,{{cite news|last=Petrello|first=Bill|url=https://www.neosportsinsiders.com/cleveland-sc-wins-4-1-over-akron-fc-in-their-first-meeting-of-the-season/|title=Cleveland SC wins 4–1 over Akron FC in Their First Meeting of the Season|website=NEO Sports Insiders|access-date=February 11, 2023|date=June 5, 2022|quote=Sunday May 29th, was the inaugural battle for the mythical North Coast Cup, the twice a year match between Cleveland SC (CSC) and Akron City FC (ACFC).}} the I-77 Bash,{{cite news|last=Petrello|first=Bill|url=https://www.neosportsinsiders.com/the-i-77-bash-sees-cleveland-sc-find-its-scoring-punch-over-akron-city-fc/|title=The I-77 Bash sees Cleveland SC Find Its Scoring Punch over Akron City FC|website=NEO Sports Insiders|access-date=February 11, 2023|date=June 30, 2022}} the Cuyahoga Valley Derby,{{cite news|last=Vaughn|first=Dan|url=https://www.protagonistsoccer.com/coverage-blog/npsl-quick-recap-clevelandsc-amateur-soccer|title=NPSL Quick 3 + 1|website=Protagonist Soccer|access-date=February 11, 2023|date=June 1, 2022|quote=The Cuyahoga Valley Derby was a lopsided affair as Cleveland SC made the quick trip to Akron a successful one, winning 4–1 on the road.}} the Battle of Northeast Ohio.{{cite tweet|user=SoccerCLE|number=1530558260109099009|title=Only one more sleep until the battle of Northeast Ohio! 🆚@AkronCityFC...|access-date=February 11, 2023|date=May 28, 2022}} Separated by less than {{convert|50|mi|km}},

Cleveland SC has a rivalry with fellow Ohioan NPSL club FC Columbus. Both entered the league in 2018 and are separated by less than {{convert|150|mi|km}}.{{cite news|url=https://isnsoccer.com/belief-in-ohio-soccer-restored-by-fc-columbus-and-cleveland-sc/|title=Belief in Ohio Soccer Restored by FC Columbus and Cleveland SC|website=International Soccer Network|access-date=February 10, 2023|date=April 6, 2018}} The derby is named after Grandpa's Cheesebarn, a landmark business that sits roughly halfway between the two cities on Interstate 71 in Ashland, Ohio. When the clubs were founded, they were placed into different conferences in the NPSL, so the derby began as a series of preseason friendlies: each team claimed a victory in 2018 and they played to a 1–1 draw in 2019.{{cite news|author=NPSL Media|url=https://www.npsl.com/3825/|title=FC Columbus and Cleveland SC brave rain in second leg of debut series|website=National Premier Soccer League|access-date=July 22, 2018|date=April 17, 2018}}{{cite news|author=NPSL Media|url=https://www.npsl.com/10888/|title=Cleveland SC and FC Columbus finish with 1–1 draw|website=National Premier Soccer League|access-date=February 10, 2023|date=May 14, 2019}} However, beginning with the 2023 season, Cleveland and Columbus were aligned in the Great Lakes Conference.{{cite news|author=NPSL Media|url=https://www.npsl.com/20003/|title=NPSL announces conference alignment ahead of 2023 season|website=National Premier Soccer League|access-date=March 3, 2023|date=March 1, 2023}}

{{quote box|width=25%|align=right|quote="...it's also great in any sport when you have a rivalry. Since I started six years ago, sentiment has grown to the point that I hate Erie. The games have gotten bigger and bigger. There have been red cards and fights. It is great for us and the NPSL that there are two teams that care that much about beating one another."|source=—Former Cleveland SC defender Coletun Long}}

Due to NPSL scheduling, which does not include inter-conference play during the regular season, Cleveland has built up competitive rivalries with Great Lakes Conference opponents Erie Commodores and Steel City FC. The cities of Cleveland and Erie are roughly {{convert|100|mi|km}} apart, while Cleveland to Pittsburgh is about {{convert|135|mi|km}}. Games between Cleveland and the Commodores have involved fights and red cards, and the teams have frequently battled at the top of the conference. AFC Cleveland knocked Erie out of the playoffs in 2012, and Cleveland SC did so in 2018. The rivalry with Steel City dates back to each city's previous clubs, AFC Cleveland and Fort Pitt Regiment, and has ties in the Browns–Steelers rivalry and the resulting animosity between the cities.{{cite news|author=NPSL Media|url=https://www.npsl.com/3150/|title=Fort Pitt Regiment defeats Cleveland SC 3–1|website=National Premier Soccer League|access-date=February 10, 2023|date=June 11, 2018}}{{cite news|last=Krysinsky|first=John|url=https://pittsburghsoccernow.com/2022/07/19/pittsburgh-hotspurs-are-back-in-npsl-playoffs-face-rival-cleveland-sc-once-again/|title=Pittsburgh Hotspurs are back in NPSL playoffs; Face rival Cleveland SC once again|website=Pittsburgh Soccer Now|publisher=Pittsburgh Sports Now|access-date=February 10, 2023|date=July 19, 2022|quote="It's definitely a rivalry. I don't think Pittsburgh and Cleveland people don't see eye-to-eye, when it comes to sports. It's fun and good for soccer here and there as well," Hotspurs' veteran midfielder/winger, Nicky Kolarac said.}} In both 2021 and 2022, Cleveland knocked Pittsburgh out of the playoffs in the Midwest quarterfinals.{{cite news|last=Perez-Krywany|first=Mark|url=https://www.morningjournal.com/2022/07/20/avon-native-dakota-jonkes-game-winner-solidifies-shining-moment-in-cleveland-sc-pittsburgh-hotspurs-rivalry/|title=Avon native Dakota Jonke's game-winner solidifies shining moment in Cleveland SC, Pittsburgh Hotspurs rivalry|website=The Morning Journal|publisher=MediaNews Group|access-date=February 10, 2023|date=July 20, 2022}}

{{main|Rust Belt Derby}}

Cleveland contested the Rust Belt Derby with FC Buffalo and Detroit City FC, a rivalry series that dated back to the AFC Cleveland era.{{cite news|url=http://www.soccernewsday.com/USA/A/134/The-Rust-Belt-Derby|title=The Rust Belt Derby|website=Soccer Newsday|access-date=February 10, 2023|date=May 2, 2012|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120508203519/http://www.soccernewsday.com/USA/A/134/The-Rust-Belt-Derby|archive-date=May 8, 2012}} The supporters' groups of the three clubs created and sponsored the rivalry, named after the Rust Belt region in which all of the teams reside.{{cite news|url=https://www.fcbuffalo.org/announcing-rust-belt-derby/|title=Announcing: The Rust Belt Derby|website=FC Buffalo|access-date=February 10, 2023|date=April 26, 2012}} AFC Cleveland claimed the inaugural trophy in 2012, but Detroit won four in a row, before switching conferences in 2016 then moving leagues to the National Independent Soccer Association in 2020.{{cite news|last=Kendall|first=Max|url=https://www.mlive.com/soccer/2012/06/detroit_remains_top_of_the_table_despite_a_draw_with_cleveland.html|title=Draw costs Detroit City FC Rust Belt Trophy, but maintains first place|website=MLive Media Group|publisher=Advance Publications|access-date=February 10, 2023|date=June 25, 2012}} Although the derby was dormant for three years, Cleveland SC continued to face Buffalo in league play and defeated Detroit in the 2019 Midwest Region final.{{cite news|last=O'Connor|first=Larry|url=https://www.detroitnews.com/story/sports/soccer/2019/07/21/detroit-city-fc-cleveland-sc-extra-time-npsl-midwest-region-title/1789947001/|title='Disappointing way to lose': DCFC falls to Cleveland SC on penalty kicks|website=The Detroit News|publisher=Digital First Media|access-date=February 10, 2023|date=July 21, 2019}} The series resumed in 2020 and 2021, as all three clubs were drawn together in the Great Lakes Region of the NISA Independent Cup.{{cite web|last=Scavuzzo|first=Dianne|url=https://www.soccertoday.com/new-pro-soccer-tournament-nisa-launches-independent-cup/|title=New pro soccer tournament: NISA launches Independent Cup|website=SoccerToday|accessdate=February 10, 2023|date=July 5, 2020}}{{cite news|last=Howard-Fusco|first=John|url=https://www.protagonistsoccer.com/independent-coverage/greatlakespreview|title=Great Lakes Regional Preview|website=Protagonist Soccer|access-date=February 10, 2023|date=July 8, 2021}} However, the derby has not been played since, as Buffalo moved to USL League Two and Detroit to the USL Championship. Cleveland's 6th City Syndicate and Detroit's Northern Guard Supporters maintain hostile relations, due to the high-profile matches between the clubs and the historical sporting rivalry between the cities of Cleveland and Detroit.{{cite news|last=Maghielse|first=Ross|url=https://bleacherreport.com/articles/294496-detroit-cleveland-both-may-be-bad-but-only-one-city-can-be-the-worst|title=Detroit-Cleveland: Both May Be Bad, but Only One City Can Be the Worst|website=Bleacher Report|access-date=February 10, 2023|date=November 20, 2009}}

{{notelist}}

Cleveland SC has a record of five wins, one loss, and one tie in friendly matches. That record includes one international friendly, a victory against Mexican side Monarcas Morelia Reserves in 2019 as part of the Neighbor Nations Showdown.{{cite news|last=Vaughn|first=Dan|url=https://www.protagonistsoccer.com/features/cleveland-ligamx|title=Cleveland SC Announces Friendly with Liga MX Monarcas Morelia|website=Protagonist Soccer|access-date=February 7, 2023|date=February 15, 2019}}

{{Portal|Association football|Ohio|Sports}}

• Cleveland City Stars (2006–2009) – previous professional soccer club in Cleveland
• Cleveland Crunch – indoor soccer club, member of Major League Indoor Soccer
• Cleveland Pro Soccer – upcoming MLS Next Pro club set to play in 2025
• List of Cleveland sports teams
• List of National Premier Soccer League teams
• Sports in Cleveland

{{reflist}}

• {{Official website|https://www.clevelandsoccerclub.com}}

{{National Premier Soccer League}}

{{Cleveland Sports}}

{{Ohio Sports}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Cleveland SC}}

Category:Cleveland SC

Category:Association football clubs established in 2018

Category:2018 establishments in Ohio

Category:National Premier Soccer League teams

Category:Soccer clubs in Cleveland

Category:North Olmsted, Ohio