For the first time this season, Detroit City FC will play a match outside the cozy confines of Cass Technical High School.
Le Rouge travels south to play the Cincinnati Saints on Friday, May 30, for a 7:30 p.m. kickoff. Then, on Sunday, June 1, City will travel to play the Indiana Fire for the first-ever meeting between the two clubs. In the first meeting between City and Cincinnati on May 10 — the season-opening match for both — DCFC emerged victorious by a thin margin, 1-0.
If Friday’s match at Cincinnati is similar to the season-opening match, chances for the Saints will be few and far between. In the opener, Zach Myers (Saginaw Valley St) netted the lone goal. Le Rouge maintained possession in the final third for the majority of the match until the final 10 minutes when the Saints failed to convert on two free kick opportunities outside the 18-yard box.
Since May 10, Detroit City FC and the Cincinnati Saints have trended in opposite directions. Le Rouge rattled off two more wins to take its sparkling 3-0-0 record into Cincinnati this weekend. Meanwhile, the Saints have lost two of three since dropping their first match at Cass Tech.
Cincinnati was most recently the victim of a lopsided 5-2 scoreline at AFC Cleveland last weekend, but it picked up the club’s first-ever win at home after against the Erie Admirals, 2-1, on May 23.
DCFC is coming off a thrilling 1-0 victory over in-state opponent Lansing United last Friday, thanks to captain Josh Rogers’ first career goal off a penalty kick in the 10th minute. Bret Mollon (Temple) recorded his third consecutive shutout victory. Le Rouge has yet to give up a goal in the 270 minutes of play this season.
The remarkable feat can, again, be credited to Rogers and the rest of the defensive corps. Zach Schewee (Bowling Green State), David Edwardson (Heddon FC, Eng.), and Nick Lewin (Michigan) composed the stout back line in City’s most recent victory, and Michael Lamb(Saginaw Valley State) has been a critical part of Le Rouge’s defensive success, too.
It remains to be seen which team might finally break Detroit City FC’s cemented back line. Le Rouge is the only club in the National Premier Soccer League who has played at least three games without conceding a goal. After last season’s performance in the defensive third – one that seemed like it couldn’t be replicated – City continues to create a stronger identity that starts with solidified play on defense.
The quest for a Great Lakes Conference title takes another turn this weekend in Cincinnati, and Le Rouge doesn’t look to be taking its foot off the gas pedal any time soon.
If the five-hour drive through Ohio doesn’t seem appealing to catch the match in person, follow the team on Twitter @DetroitCityFC for live updates throughout Friday evening, and again on Sunday when the team takes on Indiana.
Detroit City FC will return back home to Cass Tech on Friday, June 6 at 7:30 to take on the Erie Admirals in a rematch of last season’s playoff semifinal. Get your tickets online at https://www.detcityfc.com or at the front gate of Cass Tech two hours before kickoff.