Detroit City FC dropped a decision to Kalamazoo FC, 3-2, on the road Sunday evening. The loss brings DCFC’s record to 1-1-2 in the NPSL Great Lakes West.
After conceding the first two goals of the match, City leveled the score with two goals of its own in a three-minute span during the second half. First, Cyrus Saydee (Michigan State) was tripped on the right edge of the penalty area, earning himself a shot from the spot which he slid past the keeper to put DCFC on the board.
In the 61st minute, the M1 Imaging Man of the Match, TJ Stephens (Saginaw Valley State), dove and headed home a cross from Seb Harris (Oakland) to knot the score, 2-2.
Kalamazoo took a 1-0 lead on the final kick of the first half. A long throw-in from the left side sailed over everyone’s head and fell right to Brandon Bye, who knocked it in on the half-volley.
In the 49th minute, a bad hop ate up a couple of City defenders and Hunter Vandenboom found himself alone with the ball. From there he connected with Heiko Leinweber making a run to open space in the middle. Leinweber finished nicely, extending Kalamazoo’s lead to two.
With the game tied, 2-2, Brock Fitzgerald scored to re-take the lead for Kalamazoo permanently.
Head coach Ben Pirmann was frustrated after the game. “We’re sluggish. We’re leggy. The travel was about as bad as it could be,” Pirmann said. “Everyone’s to blame for this one, from the players, to the coaches on up.”
With no midweek fixture this week, Le Rouge can finally rest and get healthy.
Next up, DCFC welcomes English side FC United of Manchester to Keyworth Stadium for the most-anticipated intercontinental friendly of the summer. A weekend of festivities celebrating both clubs’ grassroots culture culminates with a 3 PM kickoff Saturday night. Tickets for the historic meeting are available here.
– Mitch Gatzke / DCFC Staff Writer
