Detroit City FC (1-3-2) gets a second shot at Kalamazoo FC (3-1-3) Sunday, June 19 at 5 p.m., this time at Keyworth Stadium.
On May 22, Kalamazoo handed City its first loss of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) season.
Since the clubs’ meeting earlier this season, Kalamazoo has split two decisions with Dayton, lost to Grand Rapids, 2-0, and defeated the Michigan Stars, 1-0. KZFC’s 10 points have them in third place, just four behind first-place AFC Ann Arbor.
A favorable result in their Friday night match against second-place Grand Rapids FC could have Kalamazoo playing for the top spot in the Great Lakes West when they come to Keyworth on Sunday.
Head Coach Ben Pirmann spoke about the rematch with Kalamazoo after Sunday’s match, a 2-2 draw against Lansing United at Keyworth.
“They’ll counter athletically,” Pirmann said. “I don’t think they’ll try to keep the ball much, but they’ll play direct. They’ll be tough.”
With just six points in six games played, it’s officially crunch time for the Boys in Rouge.
“We have to make sure we nip some stuff defensively in transition,” Pirmann added. “You know, honestly, we just have to keep the ball out of the back of the net.”
KZFC has lost its only two away games so far this season – a 2-1 loss at Ann Arbor in the opening weekend and a 2-0 defeat two weeks ago in Dayton.
Sunday’s match marks City’s second of its four-match homestand.
Le Rouge will be aiming to add themselves to the list of Kalamazoo road losses and avenge their previous meeting. Tickets are still available here.
– Mitch Gatzke / DCFC Staff Writer