Detroit City FC kicked off its 2015 preseason under blue skies at Hurley Field in Berkley, MI., on Saturday, April 18.
With Le Rouge donning its new home kits and the familiar sound of 1,012 supporters singing behind them, City drew even with the Saginaw Valley State University Cardinals, 3-3. Zach Myers (SVSU), Seb Harris (Oakland) and George Chomakov (Schoolcraft C.C.) tallied goals for Le Rouge in the preseason draw.
It didn’t take Myers long to get on the scoreboard for City, scoring the opening goal in the 14th minute. Myers settled a perfectly weighted through-ball up the middle from Zeke Harris (Michigan) and slotted it past the Cardinals’ goalkeeper, Alexandre Bouillenec, to put the Le Rouge ahead, 1-0.
With a roster consisting of all returning players except for newcomer Tommy Catalano (Oakland), Le Rouge noticeably felt the pressure of the Cardinals’ youth and speed. SVSU freshman forward Jordan Kalk notched the opening goal for the Cardinals in the 22nd minute.
Seb Harris headed home a freekick from Spencer Thompson (Michigan St.) at the edge of the 18-yard box just before the halftime whistle to give City a 2-1 lead at the end of 45 minutes.
Jon Evans (Oakland) had a close chance in the first half, hitting a strike from the left corner of the Cardinals’ 18-yard box that beat the goalkeeper and rattled off the crossbar.
Le Rouge made the most of its chances in front of goal in the second half, with Chomakov taking advantage of a miscommunication between a Saginaw Valley defender and the goalkeeper as he intercepted a back-pass and poked the ball into the net, giving City a 3-1 lead in the 49th minute.
But SVSU held possession well and were on the attack in the majority of the later moments of the second half, with Troy Watson scoring for SVSU in the 64th minute. Watson chipped City goalkeeper Dave Ristich (Rochester College) from 20 yards out to cut the score to 3-2.
Kalk scored the equalizing goal in the 73rd minute to tie the match at 3-3 – the score that would hold until the final whistle.
Le Rouge will be back in action this Saturday, April 25 when head coach Ben Pirmann faces his own Michigan State Spartans. Tickets for the friendly match are $5 online or at the gate. Admission to all City friendlies is free for season ticket holders.
