Pawtucket, Rhode Island — Detroit City Football Club returned to play after the weekend off, but it was Rhode Island that picked up a 1-0 victory in a mid-week Eastern Conference battle. A converted penalty in the 60th minute off a handball would make the difference and see the home side walk away with all three points.
Head Coach Danny Dichio made a few minor adjustments to the team that took the field last time out in the USL Championship, as Carlos Saldaña once again got the start in net and Haruki Yamazaki, Shane Wiedt, Devon Amoo-Mensah, and Michael Bryant were the back line in front of him. Kobe Hernandez-Foster made his Detroit City debut, earning Le Rouge Legacy Number 229. Joining him in the midfield were Jay Chapman, Ates Diouf, Abdoulaye Diop, and Rhys Williams. Darren Smith was the lone striker on the evening.
Detroit City controlled the opening minutes of this match, as Haruki Yamazaki nearly scored an opener just 11 minutes in. Williams played a ball into the box, which deflected off a Rhode Island defender before finding Yamazaki at the top of the box, but his shot missed the near post.
After winning a free kick from just over 20 yards out in the 23rd minute, Ates Diouf would take the free kick himself and would come close, but his shot went just over the bar.
Rhode Island grew into the match as the half went on, making it a bit more chippy between the two Eastern Conference sides. Haruki Yamazaki was shown the first yellow card of the game in the 28th minute for a late tackle.
Detroit City’s next big moment of the half arrived in the 36th minute when Darren Smith took a shot from just outside the penalty area, forcing the Rhode Island goalkeeper into an incredible diving save.
Coming out of the halftime break, both sides only had one shot on target. Either side finding a goal in this match would be enough to secure all three points.
The first major moment of the second half occurred in the 50th minute when Rhode Island’s Marc Ybarra received a yellow card for a late tackle. Following that, Detroit City launched an attack, resulting in Ates Diouf taking a shot from just outside the box, which forced the keeper to deflect the ball away. It then found the head of Smith, who headed it over the bar.
A questionable shot by Rhode Island in the attacking box grazed the arm of Rhys Williams, and the referee saw it as a clear hit, leading to him pointing to the spot and awarding the penalty to Rhode Island for a handball. After minutes of arguing and substitutions, former Detroit City player Maxi Rodriguez converted the penalty in the 60th minute, giving Rhode Island the 1-0 lead.
Detroit’s first two substitutions on the night came in the 71st minute as Connor Rutz and Alex Villanueva entered the match for Darren Smith and Haruki Yamazaki.
The yellow cards would start to accumulate in the second half, as in the 72nd minute, both Abdoulaye Diop and Aime Mabika were shown a yellow card for a post-whistle scuffle.
Le Rouge’s next change came in the 78th minute as Jeciel Cedeño replaced Abdoulaye Diop.
Rhode Island’s Matthew Corcoran was shown a yellow card for a late tackle in the 81st minute.
Detroit’s final changes saw Matt Sheldon and Jordan Adebayo Smith enter the match for Shane Wiedt and Rhys Williams in the 88th minute.
Maxi Rodriguez would be shown a yellow in the 88th minute for time wasting, Rhode Island’s Joe Brito was shown a yellow for a late tackle in the fifth minute of stoppage time, and Matt Sheldon would pick up the final yellow card in the seventh minute of stoppage time for a late tackle on Rodriguez.
The match concluded with Rhode Island claiming all three points and securing its third home win of the season. For Detroit City, it marked the third loss in their last four USL Championship matches, but the club still remains sixth in the Eastern Conference standings.
Detroit City returns to action at Keyworth Stadium this Saturday, August 9th, facing off against Eastern Conference rival Indy Eleven. Tickets for all Detroit City matches are available at www.detcityfc.com/tickets.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on X and Facebook and @detroitcityfootballclub on Instagram.
Detroit City Starting XI – Carlos Saldaña, Haruki Yamazaki (71’), Shane Wiedt (88’), Devon Amoo-Mensah, Michael Bryant, Kobe Hernandez-Foster, Jay Chapman, Ates Diouf, Abdoulaye Diop (78’), Rhys Williams, (88’) Darren Smith (71’)
Detroit City Substitutes – Alex Villanueva (71’), Jeciel Cedeño (78’), Connor Rutz (71’), Matt Sheldon (88’), Carlos Herrera, Dominic Gasso, Jordan Adebayo-Smith (88’)
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Primary Media Contact: Jarrett Maki (Sports Information Director, jarrett.maki@detcityfc.com)
