Detroit City FC defeated Kalamazoo FC, 1-0, Sunday evening at Keyworth Stadium to earn three much-needed points in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) standings.
Tommy Catalano (Oakland) opened the scoring in the 63rd minute, teaming up with George Chomakov (Schoolcraft College) on a perfect give-and-go play. That tally would be enough to earn Catalano M1 Imaging Man of the Match honors and earn City the victory.
The first half was bogged down by persistent fouling. The constant stoppages made it tough for either side to settle into a groove. At the halftime break, neither team had struck the back of the net.
Throughout the second half, the hard-fought game and the blazing heat started taking its toll on the players, but City again dominated possession and got the better of the scoring chances.
After taking the lead, City happily switched focus to holding possession and limiting Kalamazoo’s chances.
Head coach Ben Pirmann spoke after the win.
“I think our guys felt the pressure a little bit,” he said. “We did the job, three points. It wasn’t pretty all the time. But I will say this: We do play some good soccer.
Next Saturday, June 25, Le Rouge hosts the Dayton Dynamo. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 p.m. Tickets are available here.
“We’ve got five games left,” Pirmann said. “And we just have to take Dayton and go from there.”
