Detroit City FC won their international friendly Saturday against Glentoran FC, 1-0, on a night honoring the 50th anniversary of the Detroit Cougars at Keyworth Stadium.
The difference came in the 86th minute when Man of the Match Tyler Moorman scored the game’s only goal to give City the win. After two shots on goal, it was Moorman’s strike which found the back of the net, causing a frenzy of smoke bombs and cheers in the crowd.
5,067 City and Glentoran faithful were in attendance for the match, which featured an intense pace from open to close. Both teams had several scoring chances early and Le Rouge had exceptional defensive pressure.
Detroit’s Tommy Catalano was the game’s first substitute. He replaced Mauricio Castorino in the 28th minute. In the 30th minute, City defender Owain Hoskins earned a yellow card for a rough challenge on Glentoran midfielder John McGuigan.
McGuigan was back up quickly, though, despite receiving medical attention. In the 35th minute he took a shot in the box, but missed wide to the left of Detroit goalie Colin Miller.
In the 37th minute, City forward Shawn Lawson showcased some great moves on offense to draw a foul from about 20 yards out. Spencer Glass took the free kick but was unable to finesse the Glens’ keeper.
Glentoran had some solid pressure before the end of the first half, but were unable to capitalize off a dangerous corner. The score was 0-0 at halftime.
At halftime, owners, players and coaches gathered on the pitch for a presentation celebrating the original 1967 Cougar team, with two alumni present. Glentoran Chairman Stephen Henderson said it was an honor to come play in Detroit.
“We have never been treated better anywhere,” Henderson said to the crowd.
Second half subs for City included Louis Dargent, Omar Sinclair, Kervin Kenton, and Roddy Green.
The second half kicked off with chances for both teams, continuing the game’s great back-and-forth pace. In the 48th minute, Miller misplayed the ball leaving the net wide open. The Glens were unable to capitalize, though.
In the 50th minute, Aaron Franco earned a yellow card. Glentoran’s Jonathan Smith earned a yellow card two minutes later for a hard challenge on Cyrus Saydee.
Jeff Adkins came in for Detroit as well early in the second half.
In the 58th minute, Adkins was fouled, resulting in a yellow card for Glentoran’s James Ferrin. Adkins’ free kick was strong, but Glentoran goalie Dwayne Nelson was there to make the save.
In the 61st minute, George Chomakov came in for City to replace Franco.
Spencer Glass had a great chance in the 63rd minute off a good ball from Adkins, but Nelson made the save. It didn’t take City long to come back, as Catalano nearly chipped his way to a goal in the 65th minute.
Shortly after, Seb Harris and Tyler Moorman subbed in as well for Catalano and Bock. Then, Noah Pio and Tyrone Mondi subbed in for Le Rouge in the 71st minute replacing Glass and Saydee. In the 75th minute, Joe Smith came into net, replacing Miller.
With ten minutes and no quit in the team, Moorman was dragged down in the box after some fancy footwork in 83rd minute to earn a penalty kick. Adkins took the kick, but his shot was saved to keep the score level.
It wasn’t until the 86th minute when Moorman became the hero for City. After a spree of shots to the net, it was the striker who was able to rip one past Nelson to give City the lead, 1-0.
The celebration concluded with a 1-0 win for City on a night honoring a shared history between two hard-working clubs.
Next Friday night, June 2nd, it’s back to league play as Le Rouge take on Grand Rapids FC at Keyworth Stadium.
Detroit Starting XI: 2 Hoskins, 3 Glass, 5 Carroll, 9 Lawson, 10 Saydee, 14 Bock, 18 Edwardson, 21 Franco, 22 Castorino, 30 Miller, 33 Otim
Glentoran Starting XI: 1 Morris, 2 Kelly, 3 Redman, 4 Sterling, 6 Ferrin, 7 Foley, 10 McGuigan, 11 McMullan, 12 Delaney, 16 Jallow, 17 O’Neill
The match was presented by Strategic Staffing Solutions.