What happened: Detroit City FC took a break from the NPSL on Wednesday night, hosting a friendly against the Columbus Crew College Program at Cass Tech. In front of 2,610 supporters, Le Rouge fell to the Crew, 3-1.
After 90 minutes, DCFC didn’t have the lead, but they did manage to get on board first. In the 26th minute, a long ball from City defender Alex Isaevski (Saginaw Valley State) connected with center forward Tyler Channell (Saginaw Valley State) flying down the pitch. Columbus’s goalkeeper came out to meet Channell but couldn’t reach him in time. The City forward flicked the ball onward into the empty net. Channell’s goal earned him the M1 Imaging Man of the Match Award.
Immediately after Le Rouge scored, the Crew picked up the pressure and never looked back. Four minutes later, Columbus forward Ahinga Selemani dribbled into the DCFC penalty area and slotted a ball to the bottom left corner past City goalkeeper Alex Bouillennec (Saginaw Valley State), and the game was tied at one goal apiece.
Columbus continued to fight, and in the 37th minute, midfielder Nate Kohl delivered a ball from the left side that was dummied by two of his teammates before reaching Ryan James, whose one-touch shot to the corner gave the Crew a 2-1 lead going into the break.
When both teams came out for the second half, it looked like a brand new game. Over 15 substitutes entered the match, each bringing a different style of play. Both teams substituted many, but it was Columbus that found the best result.
The Crew tallied their third goal of the night in the 71st minute, when Hunter Robinson’s low cross was tucked away by Willy Bayemi, past the gloves of the DCFC goalkeeper, and into the back of the net.
After an explosive start from the Crew’s reinforcements, the second half calmed down, and the 3-1 score line held throughout the rest of the night.
Something new: With the friendly circumstances, DCFC head coach Ben Pirmann was able to make adjustments he usually wouldn’t otherwise. City captain, and usually center back, Josh Rogers (Michigan State), entered the game in the second half. Though, instead of his typical defensive position, Rogers was playing midfield. Overall, with a slew of fresh faces that haven’t seen much time this season, Pirmann was allowed to try out some new formations.
Not so friendly: Though neither team was able to earn any points for their respective leagues Wednesday night, that didn’t stop them from playing physical. Four yellow cards in the span of 10 minutes inaugurated a fiery second half. Three against the Crew and one against Le Rouge had both sides battling for possession, and the so-called “friendly” didn’t seem so.
What’s next: Le Rouge get back to NPSL action with their seventh match of the regular season against the Cincinnati Saints. Saturday, June 20, DCFC and the Saints kick off at 7:30 p.m. at Withrow High School in Cincinnati. City’s next home game is June 28 against Lansing United. Get your tickets for the rest of the 2015 home schedule at https://www.detcityfc.com/tickets.
