NPSLAmbassadors FC Ohio defeated Cleveland SC 2–0 in NPSL action on Wednesday, thanks to a pair of own goals from Cleveland players. A. Spratt put through his own net in the 10th minute to give the hosts an early lead, and D. Pinto compounded the misery with another own goal in the 90th minute to seal the result.
Ambassadors FC Ohio had the advantage almost from the start. Spratt's unfortunate early own goal forced Cleveland SC onto the back foot, and the visitors struggled to find a way back into the match. The first half grew increasingly fractious, with Spratt picking up a yellow card right before halftime — adding frustration to an already difficult evening for the Cleveland man.
The second half brought more tension than quality. Cleveland SC's M. Smith-Skladany was cautioned in the 56th minute, followed by teammate J. Akins in the 63rd. The bookings kept coming as the game wore on. Pinto received a yellow in the 82nd minute, and Ambassadors FC Ohio's G. Gotting was cautioned in the 87th. The final minutes were especially scrappy — N. Romero and N. Sandahl both saw yellow for the home side in the 90th minute, the same moment Pinto turned the ball into his own goal to make it 2–0.
Seven yellow cards across 90 minutes told the story of an ill-tempered derby that never found much rhythm but never lacked for edge.
The clean-sheet victory gives Ambassadors FC Ohio valuable momentum in the NPSL season as the summer schedule intensifies.