Detroit, Michigan – After dropping their last three matches, Detroit City FC managed to gain a point in a 1-1 draw against Loudoun United off a midfield strike from forward Dario Suárez for his first goal at Detroit City FC.
Detroit City was moving the ball well to start the game as opportunities found midfielder Rhys Williams down the right sideline which resulted in three corner kicks in the first 10 minutes of the match.
Loudoun United had a great early chance to get themselves on the board first 16 minutes in but Detroit City FC goalkeeper Nate Steinwascher was able to get a mit on the thirty yard strike to the bottom left corner of the net to force a corner.
Defender Devon Amoo-Mensah was flying around in the first half, specifically from the 20-25th minute, denying Loudoun opportunities in the box from the left side or sliding into the middle to shut down a potential scoring chance.
Defender Matthew Lewis took a blow that forced him to exit the game for injury in the 29th minute which allowed former Loudoun United defender Jalen Robinson to enter for his teammate.
While chances were few and far between in the first half for DCFC, midfielder Maxi Rodriguez saw the best look of the game as the first 45 minutes winded down from about 25 yards out but his strike was deflected off the mark to keep the score knotted at 0-0.
Steinwascher continued his clean-sheet performance as the beginning of the second half played on, extending to his right to stop a shot from the edge of the six-yard box and went the opposite way to stop the ensuing attempt minutes later.
In his first ever start for City, Suárez was able to find the back of the net in the 61st minute to open his account for Le Rouge. The former Cuban National Team member found himself with a two-on-one chance at midfield with Williams on his right but decided to lift it and catch Loudoun keeper Jacomen off his line to open the scoring for the match.
Loudoun was able to tie the score back up at one a piece after Amoo-Mensah swiped at the attacker inside of his own penalty area which led to a penalty that was converted right down the middle in the 67th minute.
Tensions were high directly after the score as Loudoun’s Tommy Williamson and Steinwascher exchanged words in the box, ultimately leading Williamson to push Steinwascher, resulting in a red card. Steinwascher was awarded a yellow for kicking the ball away during the exchange.
As time winded down, the game started to open up with DCFC putting on constant pressure to keep Loudoun on their toes. The best look came in the final minute of extra time as Suárez put himself in perfect position for a bicycle goal from six yards out but Jacomen was just quick enough to keep the would-be wonder winner off the board.
With the 1-1 draw, Detroit ends their three game losing streak and gains a point to give themselves 17 on the season, remaining in tenth place in the USL Championship’s Eastern Conference.
City will be back on the road this weekend as the squad heads to Pittsburgh for a bout with the conference-leading Riverhounds on Saturday at 7 p.m.
DCFC Starting Lineup: Steinwascher (GK), Amoo-Mensah, Carroll (C), Morris, Williams (75’), Morris (83’), Lewis (29’), Matthews, Rodriguez, Rutz, Suárez
DCFC Used Subs: Robinson (29’) (75’), Ballard (75’), Levis (75’), Simonsen (83’)
Bookings: Steinwascher (68’)
Loudon United Starting Lineup: Jacomen (GK), Turner, Leerman, Santos, Morris (79’), Garay, Rocha (91’), Landru (79’), ElMedkhar (79’), Williamson, Ryan (83’)
Loudon United Used Subs: Hopkins (79’), Zane (79’), Washington (79’), Leggett (83’), Clark (91’)
Goalscorers: Ryan (67’)
Bookings: Turner (19’), Houssou (50’), Williamson (Red, 68’), Leerman (ET)
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on Twitter and Facebook and @detroitcityfootballclub on Instagram.
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Primary Media Contact: Jarrett Maki
(Sports Information Director, Jarrett.Maki@detcityfc.com)