Detroit City FC added another tally to the win column by thrashing the Michigan Stars 3-0 in its second match of the National Premier Soccer League season. Zach Myers led the attack with two goals, while William Mellors-Blair added another for his first-career goal in a DCFC kit.
Myers and Mellors-Blair struck the back of the net just two minutes apart in the 22nd and 24th minute, respectively. Myers received a ball from Mellor-Blair and finished easily at the six-yard box. Shortly after the ensuing kickoff, Spencer Thompson sprung Mellors-Blair on a breakaway in which he dribbled around the Stars goalkeeper Vito Lonigro and sent the ball on target for a quick tally.
Myers would strike again for the third time in two matches when he received a ball from Cyrus Saydee off a throw-in during the 41st minute. Myers turned on a defender and finished to the left side netting to give City the commanding 3-0 lead at halftime.
The second half would start a bit chippy, ultimately resulting in a straight red card to the Stars midfielder Miki Djersilio in the 54th minute for dissent. In addition, Thompson was shown a yellow card for his involvement after the play.
Le Rouge would garner numerous scoring chances in the early part of the second stanza, but couldn’t seem to find the back of the net. Mellors-Blair and Myers teamed up for back-to-back odd-man rushes, but both missed the net on separate opportunities.
The match would end the same way the first half did, with a 3-0 scoreline, and finally a second consecutive Detroit City FC victory. Bret Mollon would earn his second shutout in as many games.
Defensive Dominance: Two matches into the NPSL season, DCFC has yet to concede a goal, marking back-to-back clean sheets for goalkeeper Bret Mollon in his debut season as the starter. Josh Rogers, Nick Lewin, Colin McAtee, and Zach Schewee anchored the back line to an impressive outing. Schewee replaced Michael Lamb in the 12th minute after Lamb was forced to leave the game after a collision in the box.
Last season’s success was primed on City’s continued emphasis on a stingy defensive corps, and this year seemingly holds much of the same trends. Along with the credit that deservedly goes to Mollon and his defensive line, the consistent offensive pressure that Detroit City has garnered in the past two games have additionally helped limit opposing build ups.
So Long, St. Louis: After participating in Detroit City FC matches in gold and rouge the past two seasons, former DCFC forward Stefan St. Louis was lining up against his old team Friday night. St. Louis played a pivotal role in City’s inaugural season, but has since joined the Michigan Stars for the foreseeable future.
The Northern Guard serenaded him throughout the match with a song that explained, “You’re a traitor, you’re a traitor, St. Louis.” In the midst of all the musical entertainment, St. Louis was stymied by the stout Le Rouge defense, ultimately failing to record a shot on target.
Population Push: There was a new attendance record at Cass Technical High School on Friday, breaking last season’s playoff semifinal record. With 2,641 Le Rouge faithful in the stands, the club sent the masses home smiling with something to sing about.
The remarkable showing from the DCFC supporters reflects the strides the organization has made since its inaugural season in 2012 when attendance figures hovered around 1,000 fans.
DCFC Lineup: Mollon, Rogers, McAtee (S. Harris 86′), Lewin, Lamb (Schewee 12′), Taylor (Edwardson 53′), Saydee, Thompson (Vasold 60′), Arnone, Mellors-Blair (Atkins 60′), Myers (Allan 60′, VanSlooten 80′)
Looking Ahead: After starting the season with a sterling 2-0-0 NPSL record, Detroit City FC will take the field at Cass Tech for the third straight weekend with a home match against Lansing United on Friday May 23 at 7:30 p.m. Lansing United is among one of the many new NPSL clubs this year due to major expansion around the country.
