Win Some, Tie Some: Akron City Ties Match Against Toledo Villa and Win Match Against Erie Sports Center

Written by: Sideline and Beat Reporter, Liv Sharp

A defensive slugfest and stops galore ended Akron City’s postseason dreams in their tracks with a 0-0 draw with Toledo Villa FC last Wednesday. But a decisive 2-0 win for their final home game gave the crowd a sweet sendoff for the 2025 season.

On Wednesday, Akron City’s starting eleven was filled with the regular rotation of players, most of whom played some or all 103 minutes in Sunday’s contest against Steel City FC.

On Toledo’s side, some familiar faces from their first match-up earlier in the season, but notably absent from the starting eleven was Cody Da. Da scored two out of the three goals against Akron City FC. 

Immediately, it became apparent that Toledo was ready to bring intense pressure throughout the entire ninety minutes, no matter the cost.

In the 11th minute, Toledo Villa subbed in Da, and his presence was felt immediately

It was an active night in the books with the first yellow card for Akron City in the 20th minute, after a rough tackle by James Buebendorf.

Following that foul, a new opponent became apparent for ACFC and Toledo Villa: the referees. After every restart or foul, there would be anywhere from 30 seconds to nearly three minutes of conversation, stifling any sort of offensive rhythm for either team.

“It’s been a stop-start again, the referees stopped the game, kind of lost the flow of it a little bit, they had the flow, and they stopped it, we had the flow, and they stopped it,” said Head Coach Andy Hoggarth

A second ACFC player would make the books, this time the midfielder Matt Roberts, in the 27th minute.

The restart began a series of confusion and frustration for both teams. After the restart, the ball went off the crossbar off an ACFC player, leading to an obvious corner. Instead of a quick corner

After a stellar performance in Steel City, where Brett Kaminski made ten saves, he was quick to repeat his performance under a barrage of Toledo Villa shots. 

One of them was his signature “Superman” save off a Da header in the 32nd minute.

The final yellow card came in stoppage time against Milos Stajkovic, and the rest of stoppage time was spent with Toledo Villa arguing with the refs over a call

“We just have to keep trusting that we've got to compete the way we are, but hopefully we’re a little more committed to not turning the ball over and having the foul, and I think that’s where it's coming from,” said Hoggarth. “We gotta be committed to it, keep the shape, believe in getting things right.”

Hoggarth made a few halftime adjustments, subbing in Stan Klaver and Mikey Lennon for James Buebendorf and Jamai Royer.

Coming out of the gate, both teams were unexpectedly hit with a flurry of whistles, promising a tight second half.

The tides would turn in ACFC’s favor in the 60th minute, after a hard foul on Stajkovic, Toledo’s Cam Territo would be ejected from the game.

For the final third, Toledo would play a man down, and Akron City would have multiple chances to put one in the back of the net, but none would.

ACFC would be robbed of a penalty kick situation after Remi Agunbiade was dropped over four yards inside the box. Instead, Colin Biros’ free kick went high, and the opportunity was over.

Their foul trouble would continue, too, with Will Wagner getting his name in the books in the 65th minute.

Akron began to pick up speed, putting some excellent shots on goal, but they were always a step behind or shot too high.

Coach Hoggarth turned to his bench, giving some relief to those who had played in Sunday’s grueling Steel City match.

As the final 15 minutes ticked down, ACFC pushed into overdrive, understanding that without a win, their postseason dreams would come to an end with a 0-0 draw.

“The commitment was there, we created the chances, we worked hard, it just comes out in small details if you don’t finish the opportunities,” said Hoggarth

It was a quick turnaround for ACFC, shifting their sights to Erie Sports Center, which had given ACFC one of their two losses.

Coach Hoggarth returned to a tried and true lineup with two new adjustments. Carter Hancock was given his first start, and midfielder Wan Kuzri Wan Kamal joining the squad from the University of Akron. Jannis Schmidt was absent from the game, with Quinn Groves taking up his captain’s badge.

ACFC quickly had to adjust to a smothering Erie backline, but eventually they were able to break through. 

A corner in the 15th minute was their first opportunity, but it would not find the back of the net.

A chippy game in Erie back in May carried over to Green Street Stadium, with a few yellow cards in the first half and even a momentary scuffle after minor injuries to each team.

The first half was stalled due to a heartbreaking injury to a player from Erie Sports Center. We wish him a smooth recovery and look forward to seeing him next season.

Play resumed, and Hancock wasted zero time making a shot off a throw-in just moments later. He used his speed and strength to his advantage, netting his first goal of the season off a hard right kick in the 36th minute.

Due to the stoppage, a whopping ten minutes of extra time were added to the first half.

ACFC used every second to their advantage with Stefan Dobrijevic scoring Akron’s second goal of the match in the 48th minute. A deep ball from Wan Kamal found Dobrijevic, who headed it and retained control before a strong shot found the back left corner of the net.

At the break, Hoggarth commented, “We’ve scored two goals from starting quickly, from restarts, from not slowing the game down.”

Akron would enter the break up two-nil, ready to lock down three points.

“We know they’re going to keep going at us, that’s the type of team they are. They’re going to work for ninety minutes,” said Hoggarth

Hoggarth would make a substitution after the 55-minute first half, putting in Lazar Ivanis for Matt Roberts, who got a yellow card to end stoppage time. Early in the second half, James Buebendorf and Remi Agunbiade would come in for Dobrijevic and Milos Stajkovic.

The back half of the second third saw a few opportunities for each team, but Akron City keeper Brett Kaminski continued his series of excellent games and jaw-dropping saves.

In the 70th minute, Hoggarth brought in Abdi Bahur and Adam Kalvitz for goal scorer Hancock and Marko Rimac.

Frustration for Erie boiled over in the 74th minute as a yellow card on Josh Macklin set the midfielder off. His discussion with the referee stopped play and then a few moments later, play was stopped again for injury.

Akron City had their best opportunity of the half in the 81st minute, but a pass by Bahur was just slightly off and Agunbiade was unable to get possession.

The refs became increasingly more liberal with the yellow cards as the match progressed, but despite the increased physicality and a healthy amount of stoppage time, Akron City walked away with the win.

This ended ACFC’s home campaign of their first season in USL2. “It’s a massive step up from the NPSL, every game is challenging, no matter whether you're winning, losing, drawing,” said Hoggarth. “The fans have respected that, it’s been good games that the fans have enjoyed.”

Akron City will end their USL2 season at Toledo Villa on Sunday, the 13th, a team that they have yet to beat.

“Looking for a win, gotta go over there on the road and just put them away, third time is the charm,” said Dobrijevic.

Kickoff is set for 3 pm from the Glass City as Akron City looks to end their season in 3rd place in the Great Forest division.