Detroit City FC lost to AFC Ann Arbor, 3-1, for the first time at home this season in front of 6,972 supporters in a battle of the division’s top two teams this Tuesday night at Keyworth Stadium.
The defeat puts an end to City’s (9-2-2, W-T-L) impressive nine-game winning streak, marks their first loss since May 21st to Ann Arbor and drops them to second place in the Great Lakes Division with 29 points. Ann Arbor (10-1-1) regains first place with 31 points.
City opened the scoring in the 44th minute when Elijah Rice sent one in off a cheeky assist from Kervin Kenton. Though holding a 1-0 lead at halftime, City allowed three unanswered Ann Arbor goals in the second half.
Alec Lasinski scored Ann Arbor’s first two goals in the 57th and 64th minute, and James Vaughan added the third off a penalty kick in extra time.
Though both teams have already qualified for the playoffs, there was no telling of that on the pitch. With both teams vying for a potential first-round playoff bye, the stakes were high, resulting in a hard-fought game from beginning to end.
The match kicked off at 04:51 since that’s when play was suspended on Friday when the rain forced the officials to abandon the match.
The two sides spent the first 30 minutes mostly testing the waters, with neither team able to put together many scoring opportunities.
In the 32nd minute, Rice scored what he thought was City’s first goal, but he was whistled offside. After this chance, the pace intensified, and City was able to retain most of the possession ahead of the break.
The momentum led to Le Rouge opening the scoring in the 44th minute when Rice ripped one by Ann Arbor’s TJ Tomasso in goal. The strike was set up brilliantly by Kenton, who spent most of the first half setting up several City chances.
There was a decent amount of discipline in the first half, with three yellow cards issued. The first one went to City’s Dave Edwardson (‘27), but the second two went to Ann Arbor’s James Vaughan (‘35) and Jake Rufe (‘38).
Right before the final whistle, City nearly capitalized again off a swift chance set up by Troy Watson, but Roddy Green’s shot went just wide. The score at halftime remained, 1-0.
The second half opened with a lively pace and saw several chances from Cyrus Saydee and Tyrone Mondi, each displaying their fancy footwork in Ann Arbor’s end.
However, Ann Arbor answered quickly. They were awarded a free kick from 25 yards out, which Lasinski buried for Ann Arbor’s first goal.
Mondi showed his defensive skill in the 60th minute when he hustled back to break up an Ann Arbor one versus one chance with Pina.
Detroit continued to counter well, but it was Ann Arbor who scored next in the 64th minute. Once again Lasinski led the way, sending one by DCFC goalie Fernando Pina who was unable to gain control as the ball bobbled past him.
Arguably Detroit’s best chance to tie came in the 70th minute when Stephen Carroll took the ball all the way up from his backline to create a scoring chance for Mondi in front of Tomasso. His shot was denied, though, as well as the subsequent corner.
Second half subs for City were Shawn Lawson (63′, for Green), Adam Spinks (75′ for Watson) and Jeff Adkins (85′ for Kenton).
Despite pushing hard to the end, City was unable to find the equalizer. Then, in extra time, Adkins was whistled for a yellow card in the box, setting up an Ann Arbor penalty kick. Vaughan took the shot, sealing the defeat for City.
Ann Arbor and Detroit will both advance to the National Premier Soccer League Playoffs as the top two teams in the Great Lakes Division, regardless of how the final few matches go.
In order for City to win the division, they must defeat Lansing United this Friday, and have Ann Arbor lose their last two matches.
City’s final match of the regular season is against Lansing United at home this Friday, July 14 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets can be purchased here ahead of City’s regular season finale.
Detroit Starting XI: 0 Fernando Pina, 5 Stephen Carroll, 10 Cyrus Saydee, 11 Troy Watson, 13 Bakie Goodman, 14 Zach Bock, 18 David Edwardson, 19 Roddy Green, 32 Elijah Rice, 44 Kervin Kenton, 97 Tyrone Mondi
Ann Arbor Starting XI: 4 Jimmy Fiscus, 6 Sam Zisette, 7 Yuri Farkas, 9 Kyle Breitmeyer, 10 Hector Morales, 13 Tendai Jirira, 14 Matt Braem, 16 James Vaughan, 17 Kaleb Jackson, 19 Jake Rufe, 34 TJ Tomasso (GK)
