Phoenix, Arizona — It was a night to forget for Detroit City FC as they fell by a scoreline of 5-0 on the road to Phoenix Rising FC thanks to a second-half four-goal blitz from the hosts.
Things would start positively for Le Rouge, who were looking to continue their momentous run of form. Detroit City FC would force two early saves out of Phoenix’s goalkeeper Rios Novo.
In the eighth minute, it was Detroit City goalkeeper Ryan Shellow, making his second consecutive start, who would steal the headlines early on. After Phoenix worked the ball into a dangerous area, a double-deflected strike would be pushed onto the bar by Shellow, who had to react instantly to keep the ball out.
Phoenix would grow into the match as it continued on, becoming sharper and more direct with their passes. This would culminate in an opening goal just before the break as the Le Rouge backline turned the ball over, and Phoenix was quick to pounce.
Danny Trejo of the Rising would be the one to put the finishing touch on the move and put his side ahead by a score of 1-0.
The second half would start with a slower pace, with both sides enjoying their own spells of possession inside the first ten minutes of the half.
Then, a brilliant cutback from Phoenix fell to the foot of Panagiotis Armenakas, who buried it in the net to make it 2-0 to the Rising in the 56th.
Things would go from bad to worse for Le Rouge just nine minutes later when Danny Trejo would net his second goal of the evening to make it 3-0 from a clever ball over the top and a composed finish from Trejo in the 65th minute.
Phoenix Rising would find massive success when they were able to play cut-back balls across the face of the goal, stretching the Le Rouge backline thin on most occasions throughout the match.
This would play a crucial part in Phoenix’s fourth and fifth goals in the 81st (Arteaga) and 90th (Formella), respectively.
With this loss and an FC Tulsa win this evening, Detroit City is once again on the outside of the playoff places but looking in.
Detroit City FC will hope to bounce back next weekend when they welcome Hartford Athletic to Keyworth Stadium, with kickoff scheduled for 7:30 PM.
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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Please send all media inquiries to media@detcityfc.com.
Primary Media Contact: Jarrett Maki
(Sports Information Director, Jarrett.Maki@detcityfc.com)
