2025 and looking ahead for the Cleveland Crunch and the city.
By Delorean Fleetwood
Cleveland OH: Today, we wrap things up and tie all loose ends together. We also will look ahead for the city sports scene and catch up on it. There’s a few new twists to stick around for.
LET THE GIRLS PLAY!
In early 2024, the MLIS announced a huge groundbreaking development for their league umbrella. A new women’s league, the Womens Major League Indoor Soccer (WMLIS), would kick off its inagural season for the 2024-25 league season. Four teams, the Chicago Mustangs (fielded by the organization itself), Summit City (Fort Wayne, Indiana), Zoo City (Kalamazoo, Michigan), and Panathinaikos Chicago (PAO Chicago) would take the field.
But that wouldn’t be the only surprise in store, much less for the Crunch. An old familiar place was about to welcome them home for the first time in 20 years.
WOLSTEIN WELCOME
On December 20th, the Cleveland Crunch and MLIS/WMLIS announced that the 2025 Finals for both leagues would take place April 11th-13th at the beloved and historic Wolstein Center, marking the return to the iconic venue after 20 years. Friday the 11th would host both Semi-Finals (1v4 and 2v3) in MLIS, while the 12th, Saturday, would host the single game women’s Final between the regular seasons top two teams, giving the ladies the night all to themselves, center stage. This would mark the first professional championship for the indoor women’s game, giving it a chance to thrive. Finally, the 2025 MLIS Finals would take place on Sunday, April 13th, to conclude the third season in league history.
With a renewed sense of focus to repeat for the first time in franchise history (old and new), the Crunch returned to the Soccer Sportsplex to defend their title.
This year, Cleveland, Chicago, Omaha, and Colorado returned. Joining them would be an old foe in the Amarillo Bombers. New to the fray would be Summit City and PAO Chicago, fielding a men’s side along with the three women. Finally, with Lima (mercifully) and 2023 champs Rapid City gone, the league saw two brand new faces in Red Cedar (based in Lansing, Michigan) and the Toronto based Canadian Crusaders, giving the league an International presence this year.
Would the Crunch repeat in 2025?
SOCCERPLEX STALWARTS
With the season series in hand, the Crunch turned their attention to Red Cedar on the 22nd, winning 15-3 in Lansing. On March 1st, the Crunch stomped Summit City in a high scoring affair in North Olmstead, 23-11 with Suljevic (5G-2A-7P) and Ryan Minick (2G-3A-5P) leading the way. Two weeks later, on the 15th, Cleveland took down an old foe in the Omaha Kings at home, 12-6. Both games the Chicago teams in a back to back, March 29th and 30th ended in wins for the Crunch, defeating the Mustangs 13-4 on the 29th and PAO the next day, 8-5. With an 11-1 record to finish 24-25, the Crunch clinched the top overall seed heading into their Semi-Final matchup. Amarillo was second at 10-2, while the Canadian Crusaders went 9-3 to take third. Finishing fourth and fifth were Omaha (7-5) and PAO Chicago (5-6, a game between them and the Colorado Bucks was canceled, after initially being postponed due to winter weather in Denver, as it would have no impact on seeding or playoff berths)
WACKY WILDCARD
The 2024-25 MLIS Playoffs would see the top five teams compete. The 4v5 wild card match-up was supposed to take place in CHICAGO (initial rumors had them playing at the Soccerplex in North Olmstead, though this was later proven false) between PAO Chicago and the Omaha Kings, with the winner advancing to take on the Cleveland Crunch. The reason this happened was due to financial reasons and travel accommodations (according to Crunch fans and insiders, though I can not 100% verify the validity of that information as of this article).
League financial reasons make a ton of sense, business wise. Safe to say, Omaha Kings ownership was PISSED about this, citing they were the higher seed and, as such, should host the wild card game. Given the option of traveling to Chicago for the match, they declined the offer and chose not to participate as a result, ending their season and sending PAO Chicago to the Semi-Finals to play Cleveland in the late game, Friday April 11th. It was still alls well that ends well for the Kings, as they withdrew from the league shortly after this and rejoined M2 for the 2025-26 season. PAO Chicago left MLIS after the season as well, citing their own reasons for withdrawal from the league altogether.
AMARILLO BOMBERS
The first game of the 2025 MLIS Semi-Finals would take place between the 10-2 Amarillo Bombers and the 9-3 Canadian Crusaders for the first match. Not very many in attendance saw the first game take place, but I did. Thanks to Mr. Ruscitto and the Crunch organization, I was not only able to have a media pass for the event, but I got to see this game up close and see just how good the Bombers really were. Toronto was almost a mirror image of the Crunch, fast, athletic, and tall players that were difficult to guard straight up in the box. Amarillo may have been a power based team on the counterattack, but they never stopped their relentless pursuit. I saw just how resiliant they were, and that would prove to be the difference maker in the end.
In a back and forth affair that saw neither team get much distance from one another, Amarillo won this match-up in a hard fought 5-4 thriller, sending them to the Finals.
I spoke with Bombers Forward Miguel Reyes after the game. He was absolutely elated and overjoyed for his team to make it past the semi-finals for the first time in team history. He also answered any criticism during the regular season that suggested Amarillo didn’t play anyone tough. He quickly gave credit to Colorado and other teams, citing how good they were, even if those records didn’t reflect it. The Colorado Bucks were a much tougher team by the end of the season by my observation, having seen a few games myself online (Colorado ALSO didn’t come back after this season either). With their trip to a league Final in hand, they awaited their Sunday night opponents. His piece of advice, no matter the opponent? “Win.” Well said, Miguel. Amarillo, like the late Al Davis, would “just win baby” no matter who they were playing on Sunday night.
HOMECOOKIN’
The Crunch were elated to be back home at the Wolstein Center for the first time in 20 years, and they wasted no time making themselves feel right at home, either. Jannis Schmidt opened the bank just 3:29 into the contest. Ma’Cain Spragling scored 36 seconds later to make it 2-0. Gabriel Pewu added another at the 10:37 mark to give the Crunch a three goal lead after the first. At the 7:44 mark in the second, Omar Najjar got his first. Just 1:44 later, Suljevic would score as well. Sami Mutemwa got on the board 50 seconds later. 74 seconds later, Najjar would get his second of the night. Suljevic would get his second with just 1:53 to play in the half. Exactly one minute later, PAO would get one back thanks to a penalty shot by Luis Marquez. Suljevic completed a hat trick in just 5:15 with his own penalty shot with just 17 seconds left to give Cleveland a 9-1 lead heading into the break. The third period was marked by late goals, Pewu’s second and Bryan Kern, 45 seconds apart to give the Crunch an 11-1 advantage heading into the fourth. Midway through the final period, Pewu got his hat trick, followed up by Ryan Minick getting one, just 43 seconds later. With just 1:18 to go, Kern scored his second of the night for the 14th and final Crunch goal on the night. Marquez finished off the night (and the PAO Chicago squads time in MLIS) with his second penalty shot of the night, with just 14 seconds left. The Crunch dominated from start to finish in all aspects as they stomped PAO Chicago, 14-2.
I spoke with Gabriel Pewu after the contest (accidentally calling him Ryan, bless him, he was very nice to me about it. I was incredibly dehydrated that night and still recovering from a fractured radial head in my arm) I asked what his thoughts were about playing at the Wolstein Center, and he responded by telling me how wonderful it was with the energy and saving it for the playoffs when it mattered at a time like this. He’s certainly right. The Crunch fed off the energy all night, and it showed. I saw that myself. The fans were more than happy to make their presence known Friday night. With a date against Amarillo set for Sunday night, we take a look at the WMLIS Finals and season at hand.
HORSEPOWER
Stephanie Nunez showed just what the WMLIS can look like when they get a star player that the younger fans can look up to. Not only that, it gives young girl players the chance to develop their skill and set an example for younger generations to follow. Nunez showed just how every bit of good she was during the Mustangs’ six game regular season, going 6-0. She ended her first campaign, earning league MVP honors after scoring 26 points on the season (21G-5A). She also led the WMLIS in goals scored, earning her the golden boot on the season.
Opposite of her was Summit City of Fort Wayne, led by the Sweigard sisters, Carmen, their goalkeeper, and Rachel at Midfielder. The Sweigards made Summit City the perfect foil for Chicago heading into the final. Rachel was fourth in the WMLIS in scoring (7G-5A-12P), and Carmen had a staggering .758 Save % in goal with a solid 5.46 GAA and a 2-1 record on the season. With these contrasts in style, a perfect storm for the final was underway.
2025 WMLIS FINALS
The first period saw born teams coming out and getting one past the keeper, making it 2-2 heading into the second. A Summit City goal in the second was all the action, as the team representing Fort Wayne led 3-2 at the half. In the second half, each team scored twice in the third to set up a fantastic finish in the fourth quarter. Down 5-4 Stephanie would lead her team from behind with Chicago scoring four goals outpacing Summit City’s two in the final period, despite Rachel Sweigard scoring four times on the night to lead all scorers and goal scorers with four points (4G). Carmen had a phenomenal game, making save after save, channeling her inner 2003 Jean-Sebastian Giguere, making 35 saves on the night along with a .771 Save % in the loss. Nunez had a stunning turnaround shot, catching Carmen out of position for the second goal on the night for her, pacing them to an 8-7 victory in front of over 700 fans, a record crowd for a women’s indoor final event, a successful first season for the WMLIS as they look forward to their second season in 2025-26.
After the game (as seen above), I spoke with Stepanie Nunez about the impact that the WMLIS would have on the female youth wanting to play the game. She said that was it great and took some pride in being able to set an example for the younger audience that looked up to them. When asked what was the key to getting the offense going depsite being in a funk, she said working hard and that just keeping at it was the key. Knowing that they had worked hard all year, they knew what was needed to dig deep.
And of course, the grand finale for the Crunch’s 5th season back, playing the MLIS Final at the place they called home 20 years ago. Would they make it title number six? Or would Amarillo pull off a stunning upset in Cleveland, Ohio?
2025 MLIS FINAL
Cleveland started the game out with a strike from Gabriel Pewu at the 4:06 mark. Miguel Reyes got Amarillo on the board just 67 seconds later to tie it. Phibo Arriaga would give the Crunch the lead right back at the 10:48, and a 2-1 lead going into the second. Exactly three minutes into the quarter, Luis Rodriguez tied it once more for Amarillo. Ryan Minick scored at the 7:22 mark to give Cleveland the lead again, while Cleber Rodriguez tied it just 2:08 later with a penalty shot, sending us into the break 3-3.
Suljevic finally got on the board 27 seconds into the half to give the Crunch right back, only to see Cleber Rodriguez get his second on the night just 1:48 later, tying the game for the fourth time. Ma’Cain Spragling (seen above) scored with 1:40 left to play in the third to give Cleveland a 5-4 lead going into the fourth quarter. Reyes got his second of the night at the 3:15 mark, tying it 5-5. Mike Derezic would restore the Crunch lead just 99 seconds later with his first of the game. Reyes showed his relentless pursuit and found the net, securing him a hat trick, just 29 seconds later to tie it. Pewu would find the net for the second time 22 seconds after Reyes scored to tie it. With just 3:57 to go, Cleber Rodriguez secured his own hat trick to tie us up for the seventh time on the night. Neither team scored the rest of the contest. We head to OT.
OVERTIME BOMBSHELL
Amarillo began to show their composure as they calmly staved off multiple Crunch power play opportunities in the extra frame, including 1:34 of 5 on 3 while up by two goals. Luis Rodriguez would score just 1:26 into the fifth quarter to give the Bombers the first lead of the game. It was at this point that the fans and the Crunch organization lost complete composure. There was some frustration over missed calls on both sides all game. The Bombers kept composure and scored twice in 26 seconds (9:27 and 9:53) to pad their lead, sinking the Crunch’s end to a dream season. While Spragling got one of those back on a two man advantage, the Crunch fell at home in front of over 2000 home fans 10-8.
Hats off to Amarillo. They earned it.
LOOKING AHEAD
The Crunch will begin their sixth season since their revival and their fourth in MLIS. New teams in Boulder (Colorado), Pittsburgh (Bridge City), Orlando (Atletico Orlando), Salt Lake City (Utah Uprising), the Rockford Thunder (Illinois), Dallas, and finally Las Vegas (yet to be announced is the venue and team name, etc) will join the MLIS for its fourth season.
The Crunch also made a HUGE announcement on August 27th that they will be playing ALL home games next season at the Wolstein Center for the 2025-26 MLIS season.
As for the WMLIS? Chicago, Zoo City, and Summit City will be joined by new teams in the Phoenix Pulse, Utah Uprising, and Las Vegas (TBD), doubling the WMLIS to six teams going into their sophomore season.
The league had one more surprise up their sleeve before the season.
MLISX
MLISX was announced on July 31st, 2025, as an amateur extension of the MLIS. With only $1500 seasonal fees and 8-10 regular season games playing from December to March, with regional and national tournaments to follow. The MLISX champions will also be given a chance to be promoted to MLIS.
With an exciting new era in the MLIS umbrella, the future of the league and its organization is incredibly bright, heading into their fourth season for 2025-26.
LOOSE ENDS
Before we end, there are just a few loose ends to tie up. For starters, a new outdoor club, Cleveland SC, current plays on the campus of North Olmstead High School.
A former team by the name of AFC Cleveland that played from 2012-17, preceded them in the NPSL (National Premier Soccer League). AFC Cleveland made the playoffs in all but one season (2017, their last). 2016 turned out to be the best in club history, going 8-2-0 during the regular season, winning the Great Lakes East Conference. In the NPSL Playoffs, they defeated AFC Ann Arbor, 0-0 (4-2) in front of 6912 on the road in the Midwest Region Semi-Finals. In the Regional finals in front of 3451 (Grand Rapids, Michigan was the site of the Midwest Regional Playoffs), they defeated Grand Rapids FC, 0-0 (3-1) to advance to the NPSL National Semi-Finals. They would go on to defeat the Clarkstown SC Eagles 3-2 to advance to the NPSL National Championship. At Independence High School in rural Cuyahoga County, AFC Cleveland defeated the Sonoma County Sol 4-2 in front of 2205 thanks to late goals in the 87th and 2nd minute of second half stoppage time, to claim the 2016 NPSL Championship. Another notch in the belt for the City of Champions, this time in the beautiful game at the amateur level.
The farthest that Cleveland SC has reached since they began play in 2018, was make the National Semi-Finals before falling to Miami FC, 4-1, but not before defeating Rust Belt Derby rivals, Detroit City FC in the regional final 2-2 (3-2).
WAIT, THAT HAPPENED?
Cleveland Pro Soccer is looking potentially a new stadium to go with an MLS Next Pro or USL team. NWSL was also pursued recently, but lost out to Denver.
Even more ironic is that Cleveland was a major market that MLS had interest in from 2002-2007, though Bert Wolstein’s passing in 2004, ultimately defeated that bid in the long run. As of now? Cleveland Pro Soccer is looking at bringing both a professional men and womans team in the South Gateway area with a 10,000 seat stadium ready by 2026.
YOU AGAIN?
On August 28th, the Cleveland State University Board of Trustees announced they were looking at replacing the Wolstein Center with a new mixed use development that would include a soccer stadium for a USL Cleveland group. The Wolstein Center, however would not be demolished for at least 2-3 years. While this might certainly force (no pun intended) the Crunch to play games back at the Soccerplex in North Olmstead, this could also be the launch of something amazing. If the Wolstein Center is gone, where else might the Crunch play?
OLD SCHOOL PUBLIC
The 10,000 seat Public Auditorium might be just the ticket to keep the games nearby. The Cleveland Charge NBA G-League team averaged over 4000 in the 11 games they hosted last season, so it’s definitely a possibility that Crunch fans could mimic that, especially if the Finals were hosted there in the near future. Other future MLIS Finals venues could be Orleans Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, Maverik Center in West Valley City Utah (just west of SLC, but accessible through the city’s TRAX light rail system), or potentially Mullet Arena in Tempe on the ASU campus. While the downtown Aud would certainly have some on top of the floor action, similar to old school fieldhouses of the day, the Crunch ownership might have another great option to look into, as its likely there are a few dates they could likely fit in. Theres still a few years to get this pinned down as the CSU basketball teams have a few years too (although I could potentially see them playing there too, hence pushing the Crunch out the door, though Rocket Arena would be a better fit for the Vikings basketball teams). For now? The Crunch will embrace the moment and bring the fans through the turnstiles just like they did back in the glory days. Just like the Crunch did when they were a City of Champions in 1994, 1996, and 1999 with Zoran Karic and Hector Marinaro.
SPECIAL THANKS
My first thanks goes to the individual working as the Director of Digital Marketing for the Crunch, Corbin Williams. Through the soon to be faded out Facebook Community Chats for the Cleveland Crunch, I reached out and asked if there was any possibility for media passes to the event, he put me in contact with Andi Ruscitto-Klauer. Without his first contact point, this wouldn’t have been possible
My next thanks goes out to Andi Ruscitto-Klauer. Without your patience and kind generousity with me as I recovered and wasn’t able to get to writing this before long due to issues outside of my control, I could not have finished much less come up with the five part that I decided on as a follow up.
Not only that, but you graciously granted me an opportunity, broken arm and all, to cover this event and feel the ghosts of the Convocation’s past (as someone who travels the way I do to sporting events, I know this is a thing, the aura, you feel it) and see the event up close. You patiently guided this soon to be at the time (and now officially graduated as of today, I graudated back in May) individual who was looking for not only the opportunity to get my foot through the door, but to write about this as this was long over due, hence why I felt a five part write up was not only deemed necessary, but earned as well. Andi, thank you. I’m truly grateful.
And last, but certainly not least, is the Cleveland Crunch organization and Mr. Luciano Ruscitto (as well as the MLIS) for opening your doors and giving me the chance to see once more open eyed great experiennce and not just live to tell this tale, but write my heart out and put passion to pen and paper for this one. Thank you, Mr. Ruscitto!
An extra special thanks to the individual who held my phone and recorded my opening segment for the MLIS Finals. I’m not sure who you are, but you have my thanks.
One last thanks to everyone who I spoke with and interviewed from Stephenie Nunez to Miguel Reyes and everyone in between. I know doing a selfie for an interview was awkward, and I certainly didn’t want that to be how I conducted it, but for the love and passion of the game, I didn’t let that stop me from pursuing what I love so I made do and I have no regrets in spite of the setbacks I had at the time. I appreciate all of your patience with a guy who was recovering from a broken arm that happened less than two weeks from when the event took place in Cleveland.
Thank you.
Words can not express how grateful I am for this opportunity here and now.
THANK YOU
-Delorean Fleetwood
COMING THIS OCTOBER
Coming up in October, I preview the 2025-26 Cleveland Crunch and MLIS/WMLIS/MLISX Season as we preview the teams and see who’s the favorite and where the leagues could potentially have the 2026 Finals. I’ll see you all soon.
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