DETROIT — Detroit City FC hosted Kalamazoo FC in their final home match of the 2024 USLW regular season as they continued their dominant run in the Great Lakes division with a 2-0 win over second-place Kalamazoo FC.
Le Rouge looked to establish themselves right away as the match kicked off. Emily Pagett floated a chipped through ball into the path of Kayla Addison in the second minute, who nearly found herself in on goal if not for some crucial last-ditch defending from Kalamazoo.
Following the chance, Kalamazoo quickly found themselves getting in dangerous spots in the Detroit defensive half as they earned two corners in quick succession, both of which called on Gabby Schriver to produce saves.
In the 11th minute, DCFC opened the scoring after a brilliant pass from Acadia Murphy. Murphy picked her head up at midfield, clipping a ball over the Kalamazoo backline that fell to Addison perfectly who only needed one touch to guide the ball into the back of the net. The goal would mark Addison’s third goal in as many games.
The opening goal only served as motivation for Le Rouge as they went on to create a handful of dangerous opportunities quickly after the opener although they would be unable to add a second.
In the 30th minute following a DCFC corner kick, Tatiana Mason added a second for DCFC with a beautiful left-footed first-time effort from a Kalamazoo clearance to the top of the 18-yard box.
Five minutes later, Le Rouge nearly had a second through Addison who broke in behind one-on-one into the Kalamazoo 18-yard box but her effort lacked the venom necessary to beat Kalamazoo’s keeper.
In the 41st, Kalamazoo found their best sight of goal in the half. An effort from 20 yards out by their striker would find the target but lack the power to pose Schirver any problems as the save would mark the final action of the half.
Kalamazoo would start the second half where they left on in the first with a dangerous chance down the right flank in the 50th minute that called on Murphy to remain strong and clear the danger.
Three minutes later, Kalamazoo tested DCFC’s net again with a chance from inside the 18-yard box that was rifled at the near post but once again met by the gloves of Schriver. Following the effort, DCFC broke at Kalamazoo’s goal with a rapid counterattack that ended in an Addison shot and Kalamazoo save.
Kalamazoo continued to look for a way back into this game in the 66th minute. A cross flashed into the DCFC 18-yard box which found the head of a Kalamazoo attacker and rocketed off the crossbar. From the rebound, Le Rouge instantly broke the opposite way through Ella Kane who found herself in Kalamazoo’s 18-yard box before squaring a ball to Hannah Crum whose shot forced a brilliant reaction save from Kalamazoo’s keeper.
In the 78th Kalamazoo had another sight of goal with a clearance bouncing out to the top of the Detroit City 18-yard box, which was struck off the volley and looked goalbound if not for Schriver standing strong to parry the danger.
The final ten minutes of the match saw a desperate Kalamazoo attempt to claw back into the match, but Le Rouge’s backline remained flawless to close out the win and secure all three points for Detroit.
The win sees Detroit’s record at Keyworth this year finish a flawless 6-0-0.
DCFC returns to USLW League action on June, 25th against Midwest United in Kentwood, Michigan. Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00 p.m. in what will be a crucial match for Detroit City’s playoff berth.
Detroit City Starting XI: Schirver (GK), Tefend, Offer, Murphy, Martin (81’), Mason (58’), Childers, Pagett (81’), Romine, Addison (58’), Washington (24’)
Detroit City Goalscorers: Addison (11’), Mason (30’)
Detroit City Used Substitutes: Kane (24’, 81’), Stephan (58’), Crum (58’), Miles (81’), Morgan (81’), Britain (81’)
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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Primary Media Contact: Jarrett Maki
(Sports Information Director, Jarrett.Maki@detcityfc.com)
