Detroit City FC defeated Kalamazoo FC, 1-0, at the Mayors’ Riverfront Park Sunday afternoon to extend its win streak to three games and earn another three points in the National Premier Soccer League.
Shawn Lawson opened the scoring in the 18th minute – the only goal of the match. Man of the Match went to Zach Bock for a full 90-minute working hard on City’s backline.
With the win, City advances to 3-2-1 (W-T-L) and remains in third place in the NPSL with eleven points after five weeks of play. Kalamazoo drops to 1-1-4 and remains tied for last in the league with four points.
The 1-0 result was City’s first shutout of the NPSL season.
Despite a slow start and some turnovers of possession early on, City was able to control most of the first half possession. One such turnover came in the 17th minute and led to an open look for KZFC in the box, but City goalkeeper Colin Miller made the diving stop.
In the next minute, Lawson broke through for City with his third league goal of the year to put Detroit up 1-0. Tyrone Mondi assisted Lawson, who displayed great patience before tapping the ball past the KZFC keeper.
Lawson nearly set up Cyrus Saydee for a goal in the 29th minute off a ball in the box, but Saydee sent it just wide.
In the 36th minute, Omar Sinclair was whistled for a foul resulting in a Kalamazoo free kick. The KZFC attempt was sent wide and over the goal.
The score remained 1-0 at the break.The second half opened with a slightly faster pace and featured several more chances for City. One minute in, a foul by KZFC led to a free kick in dangerous territory for City, but the opportunity was squandered.
City defender Zach Bock created several chances and had many opportunistic shots in the second half – in addition to stellar defensive play with the rest of Detroit’s backline – helping earn him Man of the Match honors.
In the 71st minute, Louis Dargent was replaced by Dave Edwardson. Green, Todd, Kenton and Bakie Goodman were pressing hard to get City a second goal, but were unable to find their footing on several opportunities in the box.
Otim earned a yellow card for a dive in the KZFC box in the 83rd minute. Trying to gain off the momentum, Kalamazoo pushed hard in the end to try to level the match, but their chances fell short.
Following a last minute sub with Owain Hoskins replacing Sinclair, Detroit was able to deny KZFC any last minute breakthroughs. In total, DCFC had five shots in the match with four on target.
City’s next challenge will be away next Saturday, June 17 versus Grands Rapids FC at Fifth Third Ballpark in Comstock Park, MI. Detroit will look for a sixth straight win and three more points in their pursuit of league-leaders Lansing United and AFC Ann Arbor.
Detroit Starting XI: 3 Spencer Glass, 5 Stephen Carroll, 9 Shawn Lawson, 10 Cyrus Saydee, 13 Bakie Goodman, 14 Zach Bock, 21 Aaron Franco, 30 Colin Miller (GK), 46 Louis Dargent, 96 Omar Sinclair, 97 Tyrone Mondi
Kalamazoo Starting XI: 1 Wes Milk, 3 Jordan Veillette, 4 Ade Adeniyi, 5 Jesse Andoh, 7 Adi Sodal, 8 Hunter Vandenboom, 15 Tommy Clark, 19 Josh Robison, 81 Ali Kromah Traore, 95 Harrison Howes, 99 Quamie Dinall
