Detroit City FC defeated Duluth FC, 5-2, in the NPSL Midwest Region Semifinals Friday night in front of 6,989 supporters at Keyworth Stadium.
City has now defeated the top two clubs from the Midwest’s North Division, earning a rematch against AFC Ann Arbor home in the Region Finals tomorrow night at 7:30 PM.
The first half featured a whirlwind pace, with the most offense City has had in one half all season. After scoring the game’s first goal, City fell behind 2-1 in the 27th minute. However, they were able to respond for three unanswered goals to regain the lead, 4-2, at halftime.
Man of the Match Tyrone Mondi scored City’s first (18’), second (32’) and fourth (45’) goal for a first half hat trick. Captain Dave Edwardson had the game-winning goal in the 35th minute.
The second half took a calmer pace, with City able to close the door in the 69th minute thanks to an Omar Sinclair goal on a free kick attempt.
The first half featured an intensity unlike anything Detroit has experienced yet this season and DCFC was able to hold possession well through the first twenty minutes.
In just the 4th minute, Edwardson almost caught Duluth goalie Tom Greensall off his line, but the chip just sailed over top of the crossbar. Then in the 11th minute, Duluth’s Kyle Farrar stole the ball, but his shot hit the side of the net.
City got on the board first in the 18th minute, as Mondi beat out two Duluth defenders as well as Greensall by sending it in right before stepping out of bounds. The chance was assisted by Shawn Lawson.
Duluth took over in the 25th minute, though, as an untouched ball into the box found Farrar, who headed it past Pina to equalize at one.
Duluth kept the foot on the gas and added another just two minutes later to give them their first lead, 2-1. This time, Ben Phillips had the ball in the box to the left of Pina and snuck it in off the right post.
Detroit responded furiously, though. In the 32nd minute, Mondi scored his second of the match and equalized at two after tapping the ball in off a saved shot by Cyrus Saydee.
Three minutes later, City kept their momentum swing alive, earning a corner. Mondi sent the ball in, and Edwardson headed it by Greensall for the goal to give Le Rouge the lead once again, 3-2.
But it didn’t end there. In the 45th minute, Mondi completed the hat trick to give Le Rouge a 4-2 lead going into halftime. The striker was in the right place when he collected the ball and scored shortside from the top of the box.
The first half featured one yellow card from Duluth’s Joe Watt (45’) and no substitutes, with City closing things down on a three goal tear. Head Coach Ben Pirmann said the response after going down early was impressive despite mistakes.
“Our response from 2-1 to halftime was spot on,” Pirmann said.
The second half picked up where the first left off. In the 47th minute, Mondi was taken down in the box and Detroit was awarded a penalty kick. Lawson missed wide on the attempt, though.
After the stop, Duluth was able to gain a little momentum. In the 54th minute, Pina was forced to make a fingertip stop to protect City’s two-goal lead.
But it was City who struck next. Mondi was taken down in the 68th minute, earning a free kick at the top of the box. Sinclair struck the free kick and scored to give Le Rouge a commanding 5-2 lead. The game ended with four unanswered City goals.
After the goal, DCFC utilized substitutes to protect the lead, rest starters and close down the match. Duluth’s Gonnie Ben-Tal (47’) and Stephen Carroll (52’) took the halfs yellow cards.
City substitutes were Tyler Moorman (56’), Zach Schewee (62’), Seb Harris (71’), Jordan Tyler (74’), Mauricio Castorino (76’) and George Chomakov (76’).
Next up for City is the Midwest Region Finals against AFC Ann Arbor tomorrow night at 7:30 p.m. Be there to cheer on City as they look to become Midwest champions by purchasing tickets here.
Detroit Starting XI: 0 Fernando Pina (GK), 5 Stephen Carroll, 9 Shawn Lawson, 10 Cyrus Saydee, 13 Bakie Goodman, 14 Zach Bock, 18 Dave Edwardson (Captain), 19 Roddy Green, 40 Troy Watson, 96 Omar Sinclair, 97 Tyrone Mondi
Duluth Starting XI: 4 Vladik Margolin, 5 Ben Phillips, 6 Ivan Adika, 9 Andrew Jenkins, 11 Sean Morgan, 12 Tom Greensall (GK), 20 Garga Nyuah, 23 Charlie Crane, 25 Joe Watt, 28 Gonnie Ben-Tal, 29 Kyle Farrar
