DETROIT— Detroit City FC continues their perfect start to the season with a 3-1 win over Oakland Roots SC at Keyworth Stadium on Saturday. Goals from Ben Morris, Maxi Rodriguez, and Victor Bezerra helped improve Detroit’s league record to 5-0-0.
Head Coach Danny Dichio made three changes to his starting XI from their 1-0 victory over Michigan Stars in the US Open Cup. Nate Steinwascher, Brett Levis, and Michael Bryant returned to the starting lineup after squad rotation in the midweek. Alex Villanueva and Ben Morris both made their second consecutive starts, but their positions were adjusted from Tuesday.
After a turnover in the 8th minute, Ben Morris took the ball at midfield, went on a solo run that had him cut through a few Oakland defenders, and shot from just outside the box. The ball slid into the far corner of the net, and Detroit had a 1-0 lead early on.
This was the third league match this year in which Detroit scored a goal within the first 15 minutes.
Once again, from a turnover, Detroit had a three-on-two breakaway opportunity in the 25th minute led by Alex Villanueva. Villanueva would get taken down in the box, and the referee awarded Detroit City their first penalty of the season. Maxi Rodriguez stepped up for Le Rouge and slotted the ball past the keeper to give Detroit City a 2-0 lead.
In the 35th minute, Abdoulaye Diop took a powerful shot just outside the box, forcing the Oakland Roots keeper to punch the ball over the bar. Detroit was in control of this game offensively, not letting Oakland build any real momentum.
Dichio made one change at halftime, bringing on Victor Bezerra for Yazeed Matthews.
Bezerra would make a quick impact on this game. In the 52nd minute, a beautiful pass from Morris gets the ball to Bezerra in the box. He makes a run at the keeper and fires it into the back of the net to give Detroit a 3-0 lead. The goal would be Bezerra’s first in his Le Rouge career.
Just minutes later, in the 57th minute, Oakland crossed the ball in the box, giving Justin Rasmussen a wide-open shot on goal. He converted, cutting Detroit’s advantage to 3-1.
Gagi Margvelashvili received his second yellow card of the match in the 60th minute. Oakland would play with ten men for the final 30 minutes of the game.
Detroit City would make another change in the 70th minute, as Daniel Espeleta replaced Alex Villanueva in the midfield.
Another change was made in the 77th minute, as Matt Sheldon and Connor Rutz were brought on to replace Michael Bryant and Maxi Rodriguez.
A beautiful cross from Abdoulaye Diop in the 79th minute got to the head of Ben Morris, but Morris just headed it above the bar, keeping this game at 3-1.
Detroit’s final change of the day would come in the 85th minute, as Dominic Gasso entered the match for Abdoulaye Diop.
Bezerra had one final chance for Detroit in the 96th minute, as a cross into the box reached him right at the penalty spot, but he shot it high of the crossbar.
After six minutes of stoppage time, the referee blew the full-time whistle, and Detroit comfortably took home three points to increase their total to 15 on the season. Le Rouge remains the last undefeated team in the USL Championship.
Detroit City’s fifth consecutive USL Championship win breaks the club-best record of form since joining the league for the 2022 season. The previous club record was four league wins in a row in April 2022.
Next weekend, Le Rouge will hit the road to face off against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Kickoff for that match is 7 p.m. EDT. Detroit will return to Keyworth Stadium in a few weeks on May 11th against Phoenix Rising FC. Tickets for that match can be found at www.detcityfc.com/tickets.
DCFC Starting XI: Nate Steinwascher, Brett Levis, Devon Amoo-Mensah, Stephen Carroll, Michael Bryant (77’), James Murphy, Abdoulaye Diop (85’), Alex Villanueva (70’), Maxi Rodriguez (77’), Ben Morris, Yazeed Matthews (46’)
DCFC Substitutes: Ali Coote, Connor Rutz (77’), Matt Sheldon (77’), Daniel Espeleta (70’), Victor Bezerra (46’), Dominic Gasso (85’), Carlos Saldaña
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on X and Facebook and @detroitcityfootballclub on Instagram.
##DCFC##
Please send all media inquiries to media@detcityfc.com.
Primary Media Contact: Jarrett Maki (Sports Information Director, jarrett.maki@detcityfc.com)
