Detroit City FC kept on rolling, with a 2-0 defeat of Michigan Stars in front of 6,872 celebratory City supporters at historic Keyworth Stadium, Friday night.
The Man of the Match could have been none other than the two-goal scorer, Max Todd, whose entrance into the game provided the spark Le Rouge needed to get over the line.
Todd checked in during the 58th minute and immediately made a difference, scoring on his first touch, just a minute later. Then, in the 81st minute, Todd drew and converted a penalty to cap off his second-half brace and seal the victory.
City were the much better team through 45 minutes of play, despite having nothing to show for it. At the half, the stat sheet told the story of the game quite well. Le Rouge had piled up 10 shots, seven of which were on target, while Stars had managed but two tries, only one forcing a save from goalkeeper Hunter Morse. The second half was more of the same, and the final stats were even more telling: 16 shots for DCFC, 12 on goal, four for Stars, only the one on frame.
As per usual, midfielders Bakie Goodman and Danny Deakin were all over the ball, controlling the pace of the game. The attacking strategy also featured forays forward from wingers Kervin Kenton and Will Perkins, who’ve both taken on a large role for City this season. Forward Santiago Agudelo showed himself nicely in his first start, demonstrating skill on the ball in tight spaces as well as intelligence through his positioning and movement.
Though Stars came out of halftime with a bit more attacking ambition, there never seemed to be much of a serious threat to the City goal. The three-headed defensive monster of Stephen Carroll, Jalen Crisler, and Moussa Gueye was able to snuff out and shut down the few chances the visitors were able to create.
Crisler also provided the assist on Todd’s first goal, lobbing in a perfect long, diagonal ball for Todd to settle on the left wing. From there, Todd cut inside, lost his defender, and tucked it past the keeper into the far-side netting.
The push for the second goal also began with a diagonal ball in behind. This one on the right, for Cyrus Saydee, who controlled quickly and fired a screamer off the post. After gathering his own rebound, The Maestro dished it out in front to Todd who was taken down in the area by Stars keeper Tatenda Mkuruva. Todd proceeded to score calmly from the spot by sliding it past Mkuruva’s diving save attempt.
Detroit City FC extends its excellent run of defensive performances, pushing the streak of clean sheets to six.
Friday’s win moves DCFC into second place in the NPSL Great Lakes Division table on points. Le Rouge are now 5-1-2 in the league.
The Boys in Rouge go again this Sunday, June 16 when they head south of the border for their first-ever meeting with Toledo Villa FC. Kickoff is scheduled for 1 pm.
Catch City at Keyworth on Sunday, June 30 in the return match against Toledo. Tickets for the match are $12 online and will be $15 at the gate on matchday. Get yours now.
Detroit City FC Starting XI: #0 Hunter Morse, #2 Kervin Kenton, #5 Stephen Carroll, #8 Bakie Goodman, #10 Cyrus Saydee (#21 Tommy Buono, 85’), #13 Santiago Agudelo (#11 Max Todd, 58’), #14 Abdoulaye Diop (#3 Michael Pimlott, 58’), #15 Jalen Crisler, #17 Moussa Gueye, #27 Will Perkins, #30 Danny Deakin (#22 Oscar Gonzalez, 85’)
