Three Goals, Zero Regrets: Akron City FC topples Buffalo 3-0
Writer: Sideline and Beat Reporter, Liv Sharp
Backs against the wall, and in need of a win to keep their postseason hopes alive, the ACFC squad put together a complete performance to topple FC Buffalo 3-0.
Entering at 1-3-1, most recently with a pair of draws in USL2 play, Akron City FC needed to strike fast and strike early. Capitalizing on every opportunity in the box was a must, as Buffalo had only given up 4 goals in 6 matches.
The starting 11 featured some returning faces, with Marko Rimac and Will Wagner getting the start for the first time since the second game of the season.
Early in the match, FCB had settled into their typical style of play, utilizing the long ball and running their offense through forward Luis Felipe Santos, who has a team-high of 3 goals.
But, ACFC remained patient waiting for their opportunity to strike, and it came to them in the 12th minute.
An errant pass fell under the feet of Milos Stajkovic, who came soaring up the left side and tried to put the ball in play, but his pass was tipped by Carlos Vill Aedo. FCB’s Landon Hungerford tried to clear it out, but Captain Jannis Schmidt regained possession quickly. Keeper Jack Root dove too early, and Schmidt’s shot on goal bounded harmlessly into the net behind him.
Now down early, a position unfamiliar to the FCB squad, the urgency intensified with Akron City keeper Brett Kaminski weathering a barrage of shots but holding strong.
The tides then shifted back in ACFC’s favor, with their second opportunity of the night ending in another goal. This one off the foot of Rimac, eerily similar to the earlier goal of Schmidt, a chip shot over Root to find the back post.
“We just wanted to change it up a bit up front today and give Marko a chance, and obviously a great finish from him,” said ACFC Head Coach Andy Hoggarth
Only 20 minutes into the game, that would be the score entering halftime. Rimac and Schmidt both netted their first goals of the season, and the puzzle pieces began falling into place for a talented ACFC squad.
“The intensity’s been there, the urgency’s been there,” said Hoggarth. “Two chances and we finished them, we can’t complain about that.”
The intensity and urgency carried into the second half, as Akron City had yet another scoring opportunity within the first minute.
Forward Colin Biros got taken down outside of the box, which gave him a golden opportunity, and one that he’s incredibly successful at: a set-piece. Biros had three set-piece goals last season and one this year against the Ambassadors in a friendly.
Biros would get his first USL2 goal of the season with a laser shot over the head of Root, to put Akron up three-nil.
“Got to the top of the box, it’s kind of a spot I’ve never really been in before, to be honest, and keeper was giving up a lot of that back post, and I just wanted to hit something hard over there,” said Biros
As the final third began, the intensity and physicality reached a fever pitch. With three yellow cards being assessed, two to Buffalo and one to Akron City. The boys ended the game with bumps and bruises but no worse for wear.
Coach Hoggarth sent in several pairs of fresh legs down the stretch of the game, including Dylan Halm for Schmidt and Carter Hancock for Rimac.
The pair combined for a spectacular possession that ended with Green Street Stadium on its feet despite no goal being scored. Klaver played it forward to Hancock, who juked behind a defender to leave him in the dust before passing ahead to Halm before being called offside.
The rest of the match saw incredible discipline by the lads to hold strong on defense and not rise to the level of chippy play that had been seen on the pitch.\
Despite last-minute fireworks, the score would remain 3-0, giving ACFC three much-needed points and the clean sheet they had been searching all season for.
“We finally got everything all around. Defended well, clean sheet, attacked well. Took pretty much all he opportunities we had, really,” said Hoggarth.
Now, Akron City FC will go up to Buffalo for another match, this time on their turf.
“It’s probably gonna be a dogfight, they’re probably gonna come out quick, try to right some wrongs on their side, and you just have to match it,” said Biros.
Kickoff is set for 3 pm.