If two matches are any indication, it’s safe to say Detroit City FC isn’t afraid of drama.
After Seb Harris’ (Oakland) 88th-minute header sealed the victory for Detroit City in its 3-2 win over AFC Cleveland last weekend, Le Rouge (1-0-1) returned to action Saturday night in Buffalo in what was a hard-fought and exciting 1-1 draw against Rust Belt Derby rival FC Buffalo (1-0-1).
This time, it was captain Josh Rogers‘ (Michigan State) turn to provide the late-match dramatics. After Buffalo’s Dylan McVane opened the scoring in the 62nd minute to put Buffalo ahead, 1-0, just 14 minutes later a handball was called against Buffalo in its own box. Rogers stepped up and calmly placed the penalty kick down the middle of the goal to equalize at 1-1.
With the score still even at 1-1 at the end of regulation time, Le Rouge’s offensive corps proved resilient, as it continued to press in search of the game-winner.
Deep into stoppage time, Tyler Channell (Saginaw Valley State) saw his shot at the near post saved by an outstretched Andrew Coughlin. Channell’s Saginaw Valley State teammate, Alex Isaevski, was there to pounce on the rebound attempt, beat a Buffalo defender and spin to beat Coughlin. Just as the ball looked to be going in, Buffalo’s Bobby Ross swept in to clear it near the goal line.
At outside back, Isaevski showcased his versatility throughout his 90 minutes on the pitch, involving himself in several attacking plays down the flanks for City and taking the majority of City’s eight corner kicks, while also tracking back to aid on Buffalo’s dangerous counter-attacks.
Rogers’ lone goal for City and his key defensive plays to thwart Buffalo’s attack earned him M1 Imaging Man of the Match honors.
With the 1-1 draw, City still sits atop the National Premier Soccer League Midwest Region with 4 points, tied with FC Buffalo and AFC Cleveland. The match concludes Rust Belt Derby play for Le Rouge, who sit in first place in the standings with four points.
City returns home to Cass Tech this Friday, May 29, to kick-off a big weekend, as the team hosts the Minnesota TwinStars for the first time ever on Friday at 7:30 p.m., then travels to East Lansing on Sunday to meet Lansing United at 2 p.m.
Be sure to get your tickets for Friday’s home match at https://www.detcityfc.com/tickets while you still can.
