Player Name: Jack Roman

How many seasons have you been with Cleveland Force SC? 3 seasons

Position: Left Wing

What made you start playing soccer? "I read the book called The Flea- The Amazing Story of Leo Messi and it inspired me to play when I was 8."

Favorite Professional Team: AC Milan

Favorite pre-game song? Thunderstruck or Family Ties 

Who is your idol / role model? My Papa

What is the biggest piece of advice you have received from a coach at CFSC? "If you don’t make mistakes you will never get better, don’t hide from mistakes, embrace them."

What are you looking forward to most during the USL Academy Cup? "Since we are in the top group, I am looking forward to playing some of the highest level of competition."

Who are you looking forward to playing against the most in the USL Academy Cup? "I look forward to playing Tampa Bay United because they are one of the best in USL Academy."

If you weren’t playing in Florida this weekend, where would you prefer / dream to be playing? "I would dream to be playing at San Siro Stadium in Milan playing in a Champions League Final."

What’s your favorite soccer memory so far in your career? "When we played Louisville City last year, I scored a top bin free kick and a solo goal from half field to beat them 2-0. They are one of the toughest competitions so it was good that we beat them."

Any additional comments:

"I’m really looking forward to the Academy Cup and I’m going to give everything I have to try and win the trophy."

Player Name: Grant Blake

How many seasons have you been with Cleveland Force SC? "This is my 3rd year at Cleveland Force"

Position: CB/LB

What made you start playing soccer? "I started playing when I was around 5 years old. I really enjoyed playing the game, but I loved the physicality and competitive nature of the sport."

Favorite Professional Team: "Manchester United'

Favorite pre-game song? "Till I Collapse - Eminem"

Who is your idol / role model? "My dad was always my role model growing up. He played college soccer which has always been one of my goals. He’s always helped me to be both a better player and person." 

What is the biggest piece of advice you have received from a coach at CFSC? "There are two key pieces of advice that stuck with me. The first was from Coach Everett Palache saying that 'you should focus on your high points so that you repeat them, instead of focusing on failures'. The second is from Coach Bill Lawrence saying 'there will always be dips in your performance, working your way out of the dips is how you become a better player'."

What are you looking forward to most during the USL Academy Cup? "I look forward to seeing my team play. We have worked hard and proved ourselves over the past few seasons and now we get to play against some of the best competition in the country. Everyone is going to be tested and it’s going to be a great chance to see our strengths and weaknesses as a team and an individual."

Who are you looking forward to playing against the most in the USL Academy Cup? "Tampa Bay United because they are one of if not the best team at the USL-A level and I’d love to see what makes them so good and how we perform against them."

If you weren’t playing in Florida this weekend, where would you prefer / dream to be playing? "I’ve played on both beautiful and ugly fields all over the country and even parts of other countries. Though it is amazing to see and play in places like Florida, I don’t mind where I play as long as the game is competitive and a challenge."

What’s your favorite soccer memory so far in your career? "My favorite memory was beating FC Cincinnati 2-0 in 2021 when I was playing with Internationals SC. Cincinnati had a really strong team and our games were always very competitive. It was a battle all game but our team outworked them and it payed off. Djordje Tackovic scored an amazing volley early in the game to give us the lead and confidence that we could win. I later scored a header to make it 2-0 and seal the victory for our team."

Player Name: Alex Hoover

How many seasons have you been with Cleveland Force SC? 3 years

Position: Left Center Back/Left Back

What made you start playing soccer?

"My siblings played."

Favorite Professional Team: Arsenal

Favorite pre-game song? Russian Roulette by Lil Baby

Who is your idol / role model? Kobe Bryant

What is the biggest piece of advice you have received from a coach at CFSC?

"Your future is found in your daily habits."

What are you looking forward to most during the USL Academy Cup?

"Competing against the league’s best teams."

Who are you looking forward to playing against the most."in the USL Academy Cup?

"Everyone."

If you weren’t playing in Florida this weekend, where would you prefer / dream to be playing?

"Force Sports Richmond."

What’s your favorite soccer memory so far in your career?

"Beating Louisville City last summer."