Soccer In Our Area

Soccer in Our Area – Newsletter vol. 3

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The busy soccer summer is upon us. Amateur leagues and professional clubs are gearing up to make Cincinnati and the surrounding area a hive of soccer. We here at Cincinnati Soccer Talk are looking to keep you in the loop on all the action outside of TQL Stadium this summer.

Looking Back

Lethal Ladies

Kings Hammer FC’s USL-W roster is loaded with talent. In the opener last week, KHFC nearly pulled off a shocker against Racing Louisville before conceding two late goals in a draw. This week at the Dayton Dutch Lions, KHFC did not make the same mistake. In a flurry of goals and defensive prowess KHFC set a club best 15-0 result. Sam Erbach was able to score 6 goals herself (all goals below). To describe the match in words is an Olympic feat that KHFC was able to capture here in their FULL RECAP

12′ Lauren Flax, 17′ Sam Erbach, 30′ Sam Erbach, 36′ Sam Erbach, 40′ Lauren Flax, 47′ Sam Erbach, 50′ Kennedy Clark, 51′ Lauren Flax, 53′ Sam Erbach, 55′ Abby Townsend, 57′ Lilly Yordy, 64′ Kennedy Clark, 66′ Peyton Smith, 73′ Avery May, 80′ Sam Erbach

Adversity Creates Opportunity 

The Dayton Dutch Lions (W) have had a tough start to the USL-W season. Three matches in and the table is slipping away from the club. DDL sit at the bottom winless and facing a ghastly goal differential. Club pride and competitive spirit is always at the forefront but that isn’t what these summer months are about for these players. The USL-W season is an invaluable opportunity to try new things and work on areas of your game. There will be opportunities to bathe in victory and grow individually.

Country Roads Lead To 3 Points

Kings Hammer FC (M) travelled on the road to West Virginia United and walked away with a 2-1 victory in their season debut. KHFC made some splash signings in former FC Cincinnati players Corben Bone and Kenney Walker in the off-season. The latter of which was in the starting XI. KHFC was first to strike in the 17th minute off a throw-in by Caleb Frakes that found its way all the way into the six-yard box for a Rob Kiper header into the net. WVU was able to draw one back in the 30th minute from a Dylan Kwasnik cross to Louis Crofts who smashed the ball past a diving Jack Moxom.

The game winner came in the 72nd minute with Caleb Frakes once again instrumental in the goal. Frakes’ cross was delivered incredibly well towards Kiper. The WVU defender got there first however his play back to the keeper found no one between the sticks for an own-goal. To read more of this match, check out KHFC’s FULL RECAP

Bluegrass Blues

The Dayton Dutch Lions were scheduled to travel to Lexington Sporting Club on May 20th but due to inclement weather in the area the match was rescheduled for Memorial Day. DDL were unable to collect any points on the road in a 1-0 defeat. The lone goal of the match came in the 85th minute and it was building up with several dangerous opportunities for LSC. Joseph Buckley was able to dribble around and draw in three more defenders as he entered the 18-yard box. Buckley’s pass split two defenders and found Lewis Johnson who made easy work with his finish.

USL Standings

After several teams have had the opportunity to take the field in multiple matches, let’s take a look at the standings for USL-2 and USL-W

via uslleaguetwo.com

via uslwleague.com

Ohio Star Is Rising

Emma Sears, forward at Racing Louisville, is no stranger to collecting accolades. Although not being born in the Buckeye State, Sears moved to Dublin, OH and was apart of Ohio Premier youth soccer club.

She attended Dublin Jermone High School where she was a two-time All-State selection. Sears played collegiate ball at the Ohio State University where she was first team All-Big Ten in senior year. She was drafted 28th overall to Racing Louisville in the 2024 NWSL Draft. Sears made 27 appearances with the club in her rookie season and was called up by the USWNT where she scored a goal in her three appearances.

So far in the 2025 NWSL campaign, Sears has scored five goals in 10 matches. Four of which have earned her a place in the NWSL record books for being the fourth player to score a goal in four consecutive road matches. Sears’s professional journey has only just begun but it certainly has the shine of brilliance.

Familiar Foe Returns Home

Louisville City doesn’t get a lot of love from FC Cincinnati fans in the region, and rightfully so. But important news you should know is that club legend Cameron Lancaster has returned to Lou City on loan from Lexington SC. Lancaster’s 88 goals for ‘The Boys in Purple’ leads the all time record by 53.

Other Scores in Our Area

Columbus Eagles FC 5 – Corktown WFC 1 | WPSL

FC Dayton 1 – Greater Toledo FC 1 | WPSL

Beading SC 1 – Columbus Eagles FC 2 | WPSL

Corktown WFC 1 – FC Dayton 2 | WPSL

FC Pride 4 – Missouri Reign 2 | WPSL

Magica Sokker Acad. 0 – Indy Gladiators 1 | UPSL

Angel City FC 2 – Racing Louisville 3 | NWSL

Tampa Bay Rowdies 1 – Lexington SC (M) 1 | USL-C

Racing Louisville 1 – Lexington SC 0 (W) | USL-W

Lexington SC (M) 1 – Fort Wayne FC 1 | USL-2

Louisville City 2 – Monterrey Bay 0 –  | USL-C

 

Looking Forward

Blockbuster Showdown 

Kings Hammer FC (W) head up to Indy Eleven for their much anticipated matchup. USL-W has pegged this as one of the top 10 matches all season in the league. Last season, Indy Eleven narrowly inched past KHFC in their three matches with a 1-0 lone victory in the series. With KHFC’s fire power and Indy Eleven’s place atop the Valley Division standings, this one has the makings of a legendary match.

  • at Indy Eleven, 7:00 PM Saturday May 31 at Grand Park; Tickets | Stream

 

Continued Success or Turn The Tide?

The Dayton Dutch Lions and Kings Hammer FC (M) square off for the first time in 2025. KHFC got off on the right foot in league play with a 2-1 victory over West Virginia United while DDL have dropped their first two matches of the season. Will DDL’s total football win the day or will KHFC’s build-up play steal three road points?

  • Dayton Dutch Lions vs Kings Hammer FC, 7:00 PM Wednesday May 28 at DOC Stadium; Tickets | Stream

 

OVPL Grind

The Ohio Valley Premier League has a condensed schedule like many leagues south of tier three in the American soccer pyramid. With that, many teams have to play matches under tight turn arounds. Sometimes, like this week, clubs have less than 24 hours to recover and lace it up again. Such is the life of players grinding it out in hopes to make it to their ultimate goal of becoming a professional soccer player.

Men’s

  • Bootleggers AC (M) vs Northern KY Nitro, 7:30 PM Friday May 30 at Scott High School
  • Bootleggers AC (M) vs Danville Locomotive, 12:00 PM Saturday May 31 at Scott High School
  • Valhalla FC at Indy Saints FC, 3:00 PM Saturday May 31 at Marian University
  • Cincy SC vs Pro FC, 2:30 PM Sunday June 1 at Riverside Park
  • Northern KY Nitro at QST Men’s Academy, 6:00 PM Sunday June 1 at Corcoran Field

Women’s

  • Bootleggers AC (W) vs Fusion FC Frauengiest, 2:30 PM Saturday May 31 at Scott High School
  • Cincy SC at Lexington SC Academy, 7:00 PM Tuesday June 3 at LSC Youth Training Complex

Goliath vs Goliath?

This Saturday Kings Hammer FC (M) travel north to take on Fort Wayne FC. KHFC has a great roster but it will be a huge early test against the reigning three-time Valley Division champions.

  • at Fort Wayne FC, 7:00 PM Saturday May 31 at Bishop John D’Arcy Stadium; Tickets | Stream

 

English Hardware

An exact replica of the English Premier League trophy with be displayed at the Newtown Village Tavern this Wednesday night from 7:30 PM to 9:30 PM. Come out and grab a photo with the iconic trophy and hang out with many EPL fans around the Cincinnati area. Follow this LINK for more details.

Photo: Liverpool FC

 

 

What did we miss? 

If there is a soccer story, club, or player you would like to see in our next Soccer in Our Area Newsletter, please email us at feedback@cincinnatisoccertalk.com or message us directly on one of our many social media accounts.

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