However, the sharp start proved to be something of a false dawn for the team, as from mid-June to mid-July the Internationals endured a 7-game winless streak that included a 4-0 drubbing by Kalamazoo Kingdom, and a heartbreaking 3-2 loss to Indiana Invaders, who scored two goals in injury time to register a come-from-behind win.

A couple of late-season triumphs - 3-0 over Toledo Slayers and 2-1 over Fort Wayne Fever - provided a ray of sunshine in an otherwise rather bleak season, but they still finished the year 7th in the Great Lakes, 25 points behind divisional champs Chicago Fire Premier.

Having failed to secure their usual home at St. Edward High School in Lakewood for the entire season, the team was forced to travel all over Ohio, and even as far as western Pennsylvania in search of a field to play on, and the lack of stability clearly influenced results.

They overcame new boys Kalamazoo Outrage 4-1 the first week in June (with all four goals being scored by Steve Zakuani), battered West Virginia Chaos 5-0, and took down Cincinnati again 5-1 at home, leaving the club on the verge of the playoffs for the first time in franchise history.

They overcame Toronto Lynx in the play-in round off a late winner by Ben Zemanski, but were outplayed by eventual PDL champs Thunder Bay Chill in the Central Conference semi-final, losing 2-0 despite playing against 9 men for 45 minutes; nevertheless, Cleveland's season was by far their most successful, and is testament to head coach Nanchoff's longevity in the league.

Despite a convincing 2-0 win over Fort Wayne Fever in their second fixture, the Internationals lost four and tied two of their next six (including conceding a 90th-minute goal in a 3-2 loss to the Michigan Bucks) and were struggling to catch up with the league leaders halfway through the year.

A 1-0 road win over high flying Kalamazoo Outrage off a 90th minute Yoram Mwila penalty kick briefly raised hopes of a resurgence, but the 4-1 loss to Forest City London in their vert next game brought the Cleveland team back down to earth with a bump.