DETROIT — Detroit City Football Club sealed a crucial three points on Saturday evening with a 4-1 victory over Orange County SC. Goals from Darren Smith, Ates Diouf, and Jeciel Cedeño in the first half gave Detroit room to play out the second half, and an Alex Villanueva goal sealed it in the 88th minute.
A familiar starting XI took to the field for Danny Dichio on Saturday evening, as Carlos Saldaña got the start in goal once again, with Stephen Carroll, Alex Villanueva, Michael Bryant, and Devon Amoo-Mensah the four defenders in front of him. Ryan Williams, Haruki Yamazaki, Kobe Hernandez-Foster, and Ates Diouf made up the midfield, with Jeciel Cedeño and Darren Smith as the two attackers.
Although Orange County controlled the possession within the first ten minutes, Detroit City capitalized on the first major mistake in the 13th minute. A turnover by the Orange County midfielder saw Darren Smith capitalize and go on the counter-attack. Smith would make a break into the box and launch the ball into the bottom far corner, giving Detroit City a 1-0 lead.
Detroit’s lead was short-lived, as just two minutes later, Detroit conceded a penalty, and it would be Ethan Zubak converting the penalty, leveling the game at 1-1 in the 16th minute.
Le Rouge would regain the lead in the 31st minute as a great feed from Darren Smith found Ates Diouf on the attack, and he would unleash a rocket of a shot into the back of the net to restore Detroit’s lead.
Detroit would make it three right before the half, as Haruki Yamazaki would keep the play alive in the box after two Orange County defenders tried to clear it out. Yamazaki would leave the ball for Jeciel Cedeño, who puts it into the bottom corner, giving DCFC a 3-1 lead.
Detroit would make one change coming out of the halftime break as Isaiah LeFlore entered the match for Haruki Yamazaki.
Two more changes for Detroit City came in the 63rd minute as Abdoulaye Diop and Jordan Adebayo-Smith entered the match for Jeciel Cedeño and Ates Diouf.
Detroit made their fourth change of the night in the 76th minute as Jay Chapman entered the match for Kobe Hernandez-Foster.
Detroit City sealed the game in the 88th minute as Jordan Adebayo-Smith fed the ball to Alex Villanueva, who put it away from close range to give Detroit City a 4-1 lead.
One final change for Detroit came after the goal in the 89th minute as academy player Bilal Obeid entered the match for Darren Smith.
Detroit City would claim a crucial three points after four minutes of stoppage time. Darren Smith’s stellar night with one goal and one assist saw him named the man of the match.
Le Rouge’s next match is on the road against New Mexico United next Wednesday, September 10th. Detroit City will return to Keyworth on September 20th to face Lexington SC for the start of a four-match homestand. Tickets for all Detroit City games 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, Stephen Carroll, Alex Villanueva, Michael Bryant, Devon Amoo-Mensah, Ryan Williams, Haruki Yamazaki (46’), Kobe Hernandez-Foster (76’), Ates Diouf (63’), Jeciel Cedeño (63’), Darren Smith
Detroit City Substitutes – Carlos Herrera, Isaiah LeFlore (46’), Matt Sheldon, Shane Wiedt, Jay Chapman (76’), Abdoulaye Diop (63’), Bilal Obeid (89’), Jordan Adebayo-Smith (63’)
Attendance 5,671
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