[dropcap]M[/dropcap]etro Detroit’s most passionate soccer fan base emerged from a frosty winter, and were treated to a positive showing on a beautiful spring Saturday in Berkley for Detroit City FC’s first contest of the season, a 1-0 scrimmage win over Saginaw Valley State University.
A crowd of 1,499, mostly comprised of a loud, rambunctious sect supporting Le Rouge, gathered at Hurley Field for the prelude to the club’s third year of competition in the National Premier Soccer League.
Those watching weren’t subject to an extended wait to celebrate, as forward Zach Myers, an ex-SVSU player, took a pass from Cyrus Saydee and slotted a shot into the upper-left 90 past Cardinal keeper Josh Howell in the 20th minute to open the scoring.
City would knock on the door numerous times for the remainder of the opening half, and SVSU had its chances as well, but keeper Jason Wise proved worthy in net-minding before halftime struck.
Particularly in the early going, possession favored City, with midfielder Mustafa Bazzi, a recent addition, looking among the strongest on-ball and distributing up the right side of the pitch.
Detroit City FC Forward Wade Allan (16) fights for ball control against an opposing Saginaw Valley Forward at a scrimmage match on April 19, 2014 at Hurley Field. Brian Quintos/The Pit: SE
DCFC head coach Ben Pirmann elected to heavily rotate his players for the second half, giving Tom Oatley and Stefan St. Louis the chance to lead the front line. St. Louis looked to reward his manager in the 57th minute for the tactical adjustments, but even with Howell out of position, an attempt to find netting was unsuccessful, sent from a difficult angle nearly parallel with the goalmouth.
During the second act, SVSU would elevate the tempo and create more pressure to test the composure of City. Distribution to alleviate pressure needed work at times, but otherwise the back line for DCFC managed to dispatch of any threatening work that the Cardinal offense provided.
City’s combination at left back was particularly strong throughout, with solid work done from starter Ryan Thelen, and Jon Evans, who got forward into advancing positions frequently later in the contest.
Wise would find himself tested with varying degrees of difficulty in the final 20 minutes, including a sequence around the 81st minute where he dispatched of several chances from SVSU.
Oatley himself had several quality opportunities late in the match. The best chance of the second half saw the pacey forward with the ball at his feet, but he ripped an attempt near the edge of the 18-yard box wide above the top post. He would have another near-chance soon thereafter in the 84th minute when Colin Helmich played one through the SVSU defense, but was unable to catch up in the box in time to test Howell.
The NPSL season will get underway officially for Le Rouge on May 10 at 1 p.m. when DCFC take on the Cincinnati Saints at Cass Tech High School.
Reported on in partnership with Press Row Sports.
