DETROIT — Detroit City FC played host to Eastern Conference foes Pittsburgh Riverhounds on Wednesday night and had to settle for a 0-0 draw despite controlling large phases of the game and generating several golden opportunities to score.
Head Coach Danny Dichio elected to make five changes to the starting eleven from this past Saturday that faced Rhode Island FC, battling to a 1-1 draw. Rhys Williams, James Murphy, Brett Levis, Daniel Espeleta, and Yazeed Matthews all started on the bench making way for Alex Villanueva, Matt Sheldon, Ryan Williams, Ben Morris, and Jeciel Cedeño.
The first 45 minutes of the match were a rather uneventful affair. Constant stoppages in play due to numerous fouls from both sides never allowed the tempo of the half to develop. Most of the play would be spent in the midfield third, while Le Rouge would generate the only three shots of the half in the final 20 minutes.
The first chance fell to Morris through a clever corner set piece as his deflected effort from the top of the 18-yard glanced over the crossbar in the 28th minute.
Seven minutes later, Le Rouge got their best sight of goal following some clever combination play between Cedeño and Morris saw the latter slip Elvis Amoh in on goal. As his first-time effort would be met by a crucial outstretched hand to keep the score level.
The final chance of the half would fall to Amoh again. This time in the 45th minute as Amoh’s left-footed effort from inside the 18-yard box flashed high and wide of the frame. Sending the two sides into the break level at 0-0.
The second half saw much of the same early one with neither side being able to threaten the opposing goal outside of some half chances.
In the 62nd minute, the Riverhounds had their first sight of goal from a free kick. Kenardo Forbes of Pittsburgh stood over the set piece on the edge of the 18-yard box firing a shot on target that called on Steinwascher to make the save.
Le Rouge responded promptly through a set piece of their own. In the 70th minute, service whipped in from the right corner found the head of Michael Bryant whose headed effort just glanced wide of the post.
In the 88th minute, RIverhound found themselves on the edge of Le Rouge’s 18-yard box through another set piece. The initial effort forced a corner kick, followed by a second corner, both valiantly defended by Le Rouge.
The final chance of the night fell to Ryan Williams on the top of the 18-yard box firing a left-footed shot on target that called on Pittsburgh’s keeper to produce a save. The final whistle blew quickly after the chance as DCFC was forced to share the points again for the second match straight.
Detroit will now head on a three-match USL road trip starting off in Las Vegas on August 10th when they face the Las Vegas Lights. Kickoff is scheduled for 10:30 p.m. ET.
Detroit City FC Starters: Nathan Steinwascher (GK), Michael Bryant, Stephen Carroll, Devon Amoo-Mensah, Alex Villanueva, Matthew Sheldon (83’), Maxi Rodriguez, Ryan Williams, Jeciel Cedeño (66’), Elvis Amoh (66’), Ben Morris
Detroit City FC Subs: Yazeed Matthews (66’), Rhys Williams (66’), Daniel Espeleta (83’)
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Primary Media Contact: Jarrett Maki (Sports Information Director, jarrett.maki@detcityfc.com)
