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WR Dominick Goodman, shown grabbing a TD pass last season, and the Cleveland Gladators will play host to the Philadelphia Soul on Friday.

(Joshua Gunter / The Plain Dealer)

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Gladiators, as part of preparation for their season opener March 15 at Pittsburgh, will play host to the Philadelphia Soul for a scrimmage Friday. The scrimmage, which is free and open to the public, begins at 10 a.m. at the Gladiators' new training facility, the All Pro Athletic Center in Lorain.

Steve Thonn returns for his fifth season as Gladiators coach. His roster at the outset of training camp roster featured 13 players with Ohio ties, including Cleveland native DL Robert Rose (Ohio State); fourth-year Gladiator and former Second-Team All-Arena WR Dominick Goodman (Cincinnati); and former Warren Harding standout DB Joe Phinisee (Walsh).

Philadelphia has played in the ArenaBowl the past two seasons, losing both times to Arizona.

The Gladiators' second regular-season game is March 29 at New Orleans. Their home opener is April 4 against Iowa.