Detroit City FC defeated Columbus Crew SC College Program, 3-2, in front of 4,010 Le Rouge faithful in a friendly Wednesday night at Keyworth Stadium. The win extends City’s win-streak to four games in all competitions.
Detroit’s three goals were all in the first half, including two in the first five minutes. Man of the Match honors went to veteran Seb Harris, who got things started early with the game’s first goal off a penalty kick.
Max Todd was able to draw the penalty in the box in the first minute of the game to set up Harris, making it 1-0 for City.
Three minutes later, Roddy Green successfully chipped Columbus goalkeeper Carter Richardson from 20 yards out to make it 2-0 Le Rouge. Captain Dave Edwardson helped setup the goal with a nice through ball to the striker.
In the 16th minute, the Crew nearly scored off a botched back pass by Dave Edwardson. Columbus’ Andrew McKelvey took the shot but was stopped by City goalkeeper Joe Smith.
After the second goal, both teams settled down until the 26th minute when the red-hot Shawn Lawson added a goal of his own to make it 3-0 City.
The Crew were able to respond in the 33rd minute with a goal by Abdi Mohamed on a header off a corner kick assisted by Blake Townes.
Michael Pio replaced Lawson in the 36th minute. Green nearly had a second goal in the game in the 42nd minute. His dangerous shot forced Richardson to make a diving save.
The score at halftime remained 3-1 DCFC. Aaron Franco, Noah Pio, Zach Bock, Tyler Moorman, Stephen Carroll, Andrew Dalou, Mauricio Castorino all subbed in for City in the second half.
In the 64th minute, Louis Zingas subbed in for Troy Watson. The pace slowed down substantially in the second half, with both teams trading most of the possession in the midfield.
Moorman had the first shot of the second half in the 67th minute. He had a great look from the top of the box, but Richardson made a diving save to keep the Crew down only two.
Michael Pio replaced Edwardson in the 71st minute. Shortly after, Skylar Jeppesen replaced Smith in net and Green came back into the game, replacing Todd.
The Crew didn’t back down late. In the 76th minute, they had a crazy chance in the box, but the ball ended up bouncing off the crossbar and into the hands of Jeppesen.
In the 89th minute, the Crew broke through off a goal from McKelvey to make it 3-2. Despite pushing hard to the finish, City was able to hold on for a 3-2 victory.
It’s right back to National Premier Soccer League play for City away versus Kalamazoo FC this Sunday, June 11th. The game will take place at 5:30 p.m. at the Mayors Riverfront Park. City will look to extend their winning-streak to five and gain another crucial three points in the standings.
Detroit Starting XI: 2 Hoskins, 4 Harris, 9 Lawson, 11 Watson, 18 Edwardson, 19 Green, 20 Todd, 29 Smith (GK), 33 Otim, 44 Kenton, 46 Dargent
Crew Starting XI: 1 Richardson (GK), 2 Bismark, 4 Mohamed, 7 Hutchins, 8 Townes, 9 McKelvey, 10 Robertson, 11 Krolicki, 12 Bumpus, 16 Bent, 17 Peterson
