Two U.S. Open Cup matches. Two penalty shootouts.
Unlike last week’s triumphant first-round shootout victory over the Michigan Bucks, Detroit City FC came up short in Wednesday night’s second-round match, falling to Louisville City FC, 3-1, in the PKs.
Detroit forced extra time after playing the professional side to a 0-0 score through 90 minutes.
With the game still scoreless, pandemonium broke out late in the first half of extra time.
Nate Steinwascher (Detroit Mercy), playing in his first match for Le Rouge, made a save on a penalty shot in the 100th minute. Immediately after, defender Billy Stevens (Michigan) was shown a straight red card. In the aftermath of the incident, head coach Ben Pirmann was ejected from the match as well.
Three minutes later, though, Detroit City FC responded. Seb Harris (Oakland) rose above the Louisville defense and headed home a perfectly placed ball from Ali Al-Gashamy (Gardner-Webb). City, playing with 10 men and no head coach, led 1-0 after the first 15 minutes of extra time.
Harris was a force in the air all night long on both sides of the pitch, earning him M1 Imaging Man of the Match honors.
With only five minutes remaining, Louisville – also playing with 10 men after Conor Shanosky was shown a second yellow card in the 110th minute – drew even with a goal from Ilija Ilic.
In the shootout, Louisville converted three of its five kicks from the spot to advance to the third round of the U.S. Open Cup. Steinwascher saved two of the home team’s PKs. Harris was the lone scorer for Detroit City.
Next up for DCFC is its first-ever match at Keyworth Stadium this Friday, May 20 at 7:30 p.m. against AFC Ann Arbor. Tickets are still available here.
