Detroit City FC fell to the Columbus Crew College Program, 1-0, in front of 4,568 supporters at Keyworth Stadium on Wednesday night.
The lone goal of the match came in the 59th minute. Crew’s Ahinga Selemani did most of the work for Andrew McKelvey, who slotted home what would be the game-winner. Selemani and McKelvey challenged the City defense throughout.
Troy Watson (Saginaw Valley State) had a solid first half, providing support and supplying two of the best chances on goal. His efforts earned him M1 Imaging Man of the Match honors.
Captain Dave Edwardson (Heddon FC) was all over the field as usual, making tackles and linking defenders to forwards. Edwardson will have to sit out Sunday’s match in Lansing due to a suspension for yellow card accumulation.
Without any impact on the standings, this game provided head coach Ben Pirmann an opportunity to get a few training squad players some quality playing time.
In his first start for City, Andrew Dalou (Saginaw Valley State) contributed in many ways, starting in a forward position and subbing back in at a midfield spot in the second half.
Dylan Waugaman (Oregon State) also got his first Le Rouge start. He played 70 minutes at center back and did well to keep up with the dangerous attackers on the Columbus side.
Shayan Shushtari (Adrian) saw his first game action as well. Shushtari’s first touch in the 85th minute nearly headed in a game-tying goal on a City corner.
“[We] have to get back to scoring some goals here, but […] to get 22 guys good minutes going into the weekend is huge,” Pirmann said after the match.
Le Rouge jumps back into league play this Sunday at noon, traveling to take on Lansing United in a must-win matchup at Michigan State University’s DeMartin Stadium.
City Starting XI: 1 Lang (31 Smith 66’), 22 Isaevski (23 Schewee 46’), 40 Waugaman (34 Raphtis 71’), 96 Sinclair (39 Winningham 46’), 14 Ybarra (29 Budlong 46’), 2 Stephens (27 Dalou 66’, 38 Shushtari 85’), 11 Watson (36 Gangutia 46’), 18 Edwardson (9 Chomakov 70’), 27 Dalou (32 Prudil 46’), 33 Bautista (19 Channell 46’), 35 Lasinski (24 Dorley 71’)
Columbus Crew College Program Starting XI: 28 Cleveland, 13 Woods, 4 Kidwell, 6 Logue, 14 Bumpus, 7 Dawley, 21 Robertson, 26 Crognale, 20 Hutchins, 23 McKelvey, 10 Selemani
Goals: McKelvey 59’
