Leesburg, Virginia—Detroit City FC earns a point after a 0-0 road draw against Loudoun United. Rainy conditions throughout the night made it difficult for both teams to create chances, resulting in a defensive stalemate.
Head Coach Danny Dichio made two changes to his starting XI from last week’s 2-0 loss over Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC. Yazeed Matthews returned to the starting lineup, and Matt Sheldon earned his first league start for Detroit City. Michael Bryant moved from the right back position to the center back position, as Stephen Carroll missed out due to the red card picked up in last week’s 2-0 loss in Pittsburgh.
Sloppy conditions meant chances would be scarce, so capitalizing on opportunities would be key for both sides.
As in most games this season, Le Rouge controlled possession throughout the first 15 minutes. Both sides had potential attacking chances, but the conditions were just too much to overcome.
Nate Steinwascher was called into action in the 26th minute. Loudoun crossed the ball into the box, forcing Steinwascher to tip it out of play. Steinwascher made a leaping catch on the ensuing Loudoun corner to keep the ball from being headed into the net.
Detroit had its first opportunity of the game in the 38th minute. A beautiful ball from just inside the halfway line ended up at Matt Sheldon’s feet. He played it through on goal, but his shot just grazed the crossbar and went over.
Both teams went into the locker room with the score still deadlocked at 0-0. Both sides would have to find a way to weather the conditions to get the opener in this match.
Dichio made his first change of the evening in the 63rd minute as Victor Bezerra entered the match for Yazeed Matthews.
A Loudoun turnover in the 73rd minute led to an Abdoulaye Diop fast-break opportunity. Diop would take a shot from just outside the box, but the ball would sail above the post.
Steinwascher was called into action once again in the 77th minute when a fast break by Loudoun led to a shot from just inside the box. Steinwascher made a diving save and knocked the ball out of play.
DCFC would go for a double change in the 79th minute, as Connor Rutz and Ryan Williams entered the match for Ben Morris and Maxi Rodriguez.
In the 92nd minute, Michael Bryant made a huge block for DCFC in the box, stepping in front of a Loudoun shot, keeping the game scoreless.
After three minutes of stoppage time, the full-time whistle blew, and both teams shared a point with a 0-0 draw. Steinwascher walked away from this game with his second clean sheet of the season.
Nate Steinwascher’s five saves tonight are his most in the USL Championship since making five saves on the road to Loudoun in last season’s 3-0 win in October.
With the draw, Detroit’s record is now 5-1-1, and Le Rouge still sits 3rd in the Eastern Conference.
Detroit’s road trip finishes Tuesday in a US Open Cup round of 32 matchup against MLS side Houston Dynamo FC. Detroit City returns to Keyworth Stadium next Saturday, May 11th, to face Phoenix Rising FC. Tickets for that match can be found at www.detcityfc.com/tickets.
DCFC Starting XI: Nate Steinwascher, Alex Villanueva, Devon Amoo-Mensah, Michael Bryant, Matt Sheldon, James Murphy, Abdoulaye Diop, Ali Coote, Maxi Rodriguez (79’), Ben Morris (79’), Yazeed Matthews (63’)
DCFC Substitutes: Victor Bezerra (63’), Ryan Williams (79’), Connor Rutz (79’), Daniel Espeleta, Dominic Gasso, Carlos Saldaña
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on X 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)
