CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A once-in-a-lifetime event in Cleveland, International Soccer at Huntington Bank Field, leading into the FIFA World Cup.

A warmup to the World Cup that starts next weekend in Los Angeles and around the country, this exhibition bringing fans from all over to Cleveland.

“The passion of the International Soccer fan is unlike what we have in America,” said Andrea Yock with Road to 26, the organizing group. “They will come with their faces painted, their national team flags flying, every inch of their clothing will be team colors, and they will be loud the whole time.”

The colors and cheers will be for Brazil and Egypt, meeting in a tune-up match for the FIFA World Cup, which begins June 12th in Los Angeles and around the country, this exhibition played on the biggest field ever at this facility.

“This field was specifically grown for this game on Saturday night,” explained Yock. “It was brought in from New Jersey, it was grown on a farm in New Jersey, brought in on twenty-eight refrigerated trucks, each roll of grass weighs one ton.”

Twenty-eight tons of turf for the first International Soccer match in Cleveland, an opportunity to experience World Cup soccer without leaving town.

“For fans that cannot afford a World Cup ticket,” continued Yock, “who can’t necessarily travel, who don’t have the time off from work, this is a chance for fans to see the best players in the world right in front of them.”

Sixty-thousand soccer fans will decent on Huntington Bank Field, bringing enthusiasm…and dollars…to Cleveland.

“We’re expecting about sixty-thousand people, not only from Cleveland but out of the market,” said Chris Lewis of the Greater Cleveland Sports Commission. “It’s huge sports ‘get’ for us here in Cleveland so we’re expecting an economic impact.”

That impact felt at restaurants and hotels, not to mention on the field.

“You’re never going to see anything like this leading into a World Cup,” concluded Yock. “t’s going to be a long time,”

There are still some tickets for Saturday’s game, which begins at six o’clock, starting at about $75.

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Former Cleveland Mayor and Congressman Dennis Kucinich has lost his appeal over the Browns move to Brook Park, closing the final lawsuit looking to prevent a relocation.

When reached for comment, Kucinich says he will appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court.

“I will appeal to the Ohio Supreme Court. This is a fundamental question about a taxpayer’s rights.”

Kucinich had filed a lawsuit against the Browns and the City of Cleveland in 2025, arguing against the Browns move to Brook Park.

A judge eventually threw out that lawsuit following an agreement between the Browns and the City, saying the lawsuit was “moot” now that both sides were in agreement.

Kucinich then appealed that decision.

That appeal was denied by the Eights District Court of Appeals Wednesday after they sided with the City of Cleveland who said Kucinich could not represent the taxpayers of Ohio as he is not a licensed attorney.

The final lawsuit remaining related to the Browns move is currently blocking the $600M in state funds set to go to the team for the stadium. The Haslam’s have said if those funds are not released they will be able to find alternative means to pay for that portion of the stadium.

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A person is dead after a short pursuit and crash on Cleveland’s East Side.

According to the Cleveland Police, they were asked to assist Newburgh Heights Police who was pursuing a vehicle.

The suspect being chased crashed into several vehicles at East 74th and Harvard Avenue and took off south on foot, shooting a person near the 7400 block of Clement Ave.

According to CPD, the suspect shot himself in the area shortly after and was pronounced dead at the scene.

The shooting victim was transported to the hospital in stable condition.

The crash victims were in stable condition.

The Cleveland Police Accident Investigation is handling the crash scene and the Cleveland Police will handle the suspect shooting.

Check back with 19 News for the latest on this story.