On Tuesday, June 12 the Asheville City men’s team clinched a spot in the 2022 USL League Two playoffs with a 2-0 win against the Tri-Cities Otters. 

This win came in two parts as the first half of the game was played on June 24 and was called early due to issues with lights at Memorial Stadium. The Blues were up 1-0 at the half when the game was paused. 

The second half of play began at 6:30 p.m. at JBL practice fields, in hope for the Blues to earn their way into the playoffs. The game began at the 46th minute and went on from there. 

The first 20 minutes or so were scoreless, but both teams earned yellows. The first two being in the 60th minute seeing Ryan Baer and a Tri-Cities player enter the book. 

Then, Haruki Yamazaki got a yellow in the 68th minute. Earlier in the match, Yamazaki made an impressive shot that just missed the goal. 

In the 70th minute Lucas Gonzalez struck the ball into the net with the help from Daniel Cerezo who had just entered the match seconds before. This brought the score to 2-0 and allowed the Blues to smoothly sail through the rest of the match.

“After scoring it let us breathe a little bit, it felt like things were against us while playing in the heat. But, after scoring we could settle down and get the job done,” player of the match Lucas Gonzalez said. 

This win cements the Blues in second place in South Central Division standings and books their trip to USL League Two playoffs. 

“When I took this job I wanted to win the league and the national championship. The fact that we are still in the conversation is a dream come true,” head coach Scott Wells said. “I’m so proud of the club, everyone worked so hard, including the people you can't see.” 

But, before playoffs begin the Blues still have an away game against the SC United Bantams on Saturday, July 16 with a 7:30 p.m. kick off.

Then, the weekend of July 23, USL League Two playoffs will begin as a national tournament. ACSC’s game location is to be announced. 

“Playing in a tournament will be great for the team, and individually I want to score some goals,” Daniel Cerezo said about the playoffs. 

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