It was a wild night of action on Friday night as Detroit City FC (1-1-1) drew AFC Ann Arbor (2-0-1), 0-0, in front of 5,908 supporters at Keyworth Stadium.
The third league match of the season saw the Boys in Rouge play some of their best soccer so far, dominating possession and patient in the buildup, but unable to break through in the final third.
In the 64th minute, Max Todd earned a penalty kick for City after he was taken down in the box on a striding run. Shawn Lawson – who leads the team with two goals this season – pushed his penalty to the right as Ann Arbor goalkeeper Ian McGrane dove right, but Lawson’s attempt hit the post and out.
Both Detroit and Ann Arbor saw chances on the attack, with Ann Arbor’s most dangerous chance coming just six minutes after Lawson’s penalty miss.
An Ann Arbor counter produced a 2v2 situation with Jack Hallahan streaking down the right flank and into the box. His quick cut beat a diving Stephen Carroll and an outstretched Owen Finnerty, but Jalen Crisler lunged at the ball head-first to make a superb goalline clearance to keep the score level.
In the dying minutes of the match, a flurry of shots from City bobbled in the box and were denied point-blank by McGrane.
Crisler was named Man of the Match for his defensive heroics.
Owen Finnerty was big in net all night in his first start for the Boys in Rouge. UIC’s Oscar Gonzalez also made his City debut.
Detroit will visit FC Indiana on Monday for a 2 PM kickoff at Legacy Sports Club in Lafayette, IN. City returns home on Sunday, June 2 vs. FC Columbus. Sunday’s kickoff is at 5 PM. Tickets are available for $12 online here.
Detroit City FC Starting XI: #2 Kervin Kenton, #5 Stephen Carroll, #8 Bakie Goodman, #9 Shawn Lawson (#21 Tommy Buono, 78′), #11 Max Todd (#22 Oscar Gonzalez, 78′), #14 Abdoulaye Diop (#3 Michael Pimlott, 46′), #15 Jalen Crisler, #17 Moussa Gueye, #27 Will Perkins, #30 Danny Deakin, #29 Owen Finnerty
