Michael Kitchen's Blog, page 3
September 8, 2020
August 15, 2020: Chattanooga FC (NISA Fall Season)
August 15, 2020
NISA Fall Season
Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, MI
Detroit City FC 0 vs Chattanooga FC 2
Attendance: 1 (Smokey the Bot)
CFC Darwin Lom (Zeca Ferraz) 4′
CFC Zeca Ferraz 56′
The NISA Fall Season began last week with our frenemies, Chattanooga FC in the state to play against the Michigan Stars. Unfortunately, CFC fell by a 2-1 score.
The supporter-owned team from Tennessee returned north to be our guest at our Fall Season home opener. We have played them five times previously, three of them friendlies in which each team won a game, and there was a draw. The other two were in last year’s NPSL Members Cup, both won by Detroit City.
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Starting XI
Nate Steinwascher – Goalkeeper
Michael Kafari – Defender
Steve Carroll – Defender
Seb Capozucchi – Defender
Jimmy Filerman – Midfield
Ibrahim Conteh – Midfield
Tendai Jirira – Midfield
Evans Frimpong – Midfield
Connor Rutz – Midfield
Ryan Peterson – Forward
Yazeed Matthews – Forward
The first thirty-seconds of the match, the teams and officials took a knee for racial justice.
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At half time, Chattanooga led 1-0 on an early goal by Darwin Lom. A long ball launched by keeper Alec Redington, which found one CFC head, then another, and on to the foot of Lom who chipped it past Nate Steinwascher.
In the second half, Chattanooga added another at the 56th minute from a corner kick.
Detroit City held a lot of the possession but could not connect in the final third, as CFC anticipated City’s progression well, frustrating City’s offense.
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Also this evening, the Michigan Stars and New York Cosmos played to a 1-1 draw out east. At the end of the night, the standings looked like this.
Michigan Stars: 1-1-0 = 4 pts
Chattanooga FC: 1-0-1 = 3 pts
New York Cosmos: 0-1-0 = 1 pt
Detroit City FC: 0-0-1 = 0 pts
New Amsterdam FC: 0-0-0 = 0 pts
August 13, 2020
August 2, 2020: FC Buffalo (NISA Independent Cup, Great Lakes Region)
After Cleveland SC defeated FC Buffalo on July 29, 2020 by a 3-1 score, and Detroit City FC defeated Cleveland SC on July 31, 2020 by a 3-0 score, the final match of the NISA Independent Cup, Great Lakes Region tournament was this match against FC Buffalo.
A rainy morning dampened Keyworth, and a perfectly timed shower in the final minutes of the first half that ended just before the start of the second half, set the stage.
August 2, 2020
NISA Independent Cup
Great Lakes Region
Detroit City FC 3, FC Buffalo 0
Attendance: 1 (Smokey the Bot)
DCFC Yazeed Matthews (Evans Frimpong) 15′
DCFC Shawn Lawson (Jimmy Filerman) 31′
DCFC Connor Rutz (Jimmy Filerman) 36′
Again, the team wore the cool and substantive Black Lives Matters warm-up shirts.
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Tonight’s Starting XI for City:
Nate Steinwascher – Goalkeeper
Tendai Jirira – Defender
Steve Carroll – Defender
Seb Capozucchi – Defender
Jimmy Filerman – Midfielder
Ibrahim Conte – Midfielder
Roddy Green – Midfielder
Evans Frimpong – Midfielder
Connor Rutz – Midfielder
Shawn Lawson – Forward
Yazeed Matthews – Forward
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In the opening thirty seconds, everyone took a knee because Black Lives Matter.
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Once the game commenced, so did Smokey the Bot, with the opening match plumes of smoke.
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In the 15th minute, Evans Frimpong sent the ball to Yazeed Matthews, who fired it past FC Buffalo keeper Bryce Tramuta.
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Smokey the Bot celebrates!
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In the 26th minute, FC Buffalo was awarded a penalty kick. Nate Steinwascher stymied the shooter.
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In the 31st minute, Jimmy Filerman delivered this bicycle shot to the foot of Shawn Lawson, who directed it into the goal. 2-nil.
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And Smokey the Bot celebrates!
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Five minutes after Lawson’s goal, Jimmy Filerman sent Connor Rutz in for City’s third goal of the half.
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Smokey’s not out of smoke yet!
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City went into the locker room with a 3-0 lead. It rained throughout the fifteen-minute break, then let up as the players returned to the pitch.
The FC Buffalo keepers made their anti-racist statement on their kits.
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In the end, Detroit City FC won the NISA Independent Cup, Great Lakes Region.
Detroit City FC 2-0-0 6 points, +6 goal differential
Cleveland SC 1-0-1 3 points, -1 goal differential
FC Buffalo 0-0-2 0 points, -5 goal differential.
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So far, in 2020, Detroit City FC has played three matches, won them all, scored 8 goals and conceded nothing.
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August 12, 2020
Quarantifo
Due to the Center of Disease Control and Protection guidelines during the COVID-19 pandemic, sports leagues were cancelled or postponed in March and resumed in July without the benefit of arenas filled with supporters.
United Women’s Soccer (UWS) created a Stadium Showcase Tournament at Keyworth Stadium to provide a competition for Detroit City FC, Midwest United FC, Livonia City FC, and Lansing United under the CDC guidelines. And the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) created an Independent Cup tournament regionally for independent teams prior to their Fall 2020 season, also following CDC guidelines.
So when the Detroit City FC Women’s Team played their first match at Keyworth Stadium on July 24, 2020, no supporters attended. When the Detroit City FC Men’s Team took to the pitch on July 31, 2020 for their first professional match at Keyworth Stadium, no supporters attended.
Though the Northern Guard Supporters (NGS) had to remain outside the stadium for the Women’s inaugural home match and the Men’s first match at Keyworth as a third-tier professional team, their presence would be felt.
For the Women’s match on July 24, 2020, NGS created a massive tifo which covered the central area of the Supporters Section.
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And they added some new ones along the fence line.
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Then, as the Detroit City FC/Lansing United match began, NGS unfurled a tifo along south wall, and set off smoke.
Lots of smoke.
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One Northern Guard Supporter was allowed entry in the Supporters Section. COVID-19 could not spread to or from this supporter. Smokey the Bot, a smoke-deploying robot stood guard in the section and set off smoke to celebrate City’s goals.
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For the Men’s match on July 31, 2020, another large tifo greeted the team, blanketing the center of the Supporters Section.
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Instead of a tifo drop on the south wall, a quilt of several tifos, made by individual Northern Guard Supporters, stretched the wall, in what they called Quarantifo.
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Enjoy each and every one of them.
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And, of course, there was smoke and Smokey the Bot.
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August 11, 2020
July 31, 2020: Cleveland SC (NISA Independent Cup, Great Lakes Region)
The 2020 season held such promise. The Detroit City FC men’s team had joined the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), becoming a third-tier professional soccer team, and the women’s team would begin its first season in United Women’s Soccer (UWS).
On January 27, 2020, NISA announced its spring schedule for the eight teams, with each team playing 14 games (a home-and-home series with each team), to run from February 28th to June 13th.
The February 28th opening day featured 1904 FC visiting Stumptown Athletic, Cal United Strikers FC hosting Michigan Stars, our frenemies Chattanooga FC, flew out to California to play Oakland Roots, and Detroit City FC played its first pro match in LA against Los Angeles Force. Supporters packed the Detroit City Clubhouse to watch the live-stream of the match, which Detroit City FC won, 2-0, on goals by Matt Lewis and Roddy Green.
Then the pandemic hit.
Detroit City FC’s first home game as a Men’s professional team was to be March 21st, against Oakland Roots. However, due to the pandemic, NISA suspended the season for 30 days on March 12th. Eight days later, in compliance with Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) guidelines, NISA suspended the season until May 10th. On April 27th, NISA officially cancelled the Spring/Summer season.
On July 1, 2020, NISA announced the Independent Cup, a regional competition of independent teams. Four regions were created, and the winner for each region would be crowned that region’s Independent Cup champion.
Detroit City entered the Great Lakes Region with former Rust Belt Derby rivals Cleveland SC and FC Buffalo. Each team would play each other once for the silverware.
The first match featured FC Buffalo and Cleveland SC at Veterans Memorial Stadium in Buffalo on July 29th. Cleveland won by a score of 3-1. The next two matches at Keyworth Stadium began with Detroit City FC facing Cleveland SC on July 31, 2020.
Despite the pandemic, the Northern Guard Supporters (NGS) kept busy in preparation for the inaugural women’s season, which, due to the pandemic, resulted in a two-match UWS Stadium Showcase Tournament at Keyworth the previous weekend. NGS made its presence known by delaying the opening minutes of the Women’s team’s first match with a tifo drop and massive cloud of smoke…
…and introduced the newest Northern Guard Supporter, Smokey the Bot, a smoke-dispensing robot that could be operated remotely. Every Detroit goal scored would be followed by a smoke celebration.
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For this match, Smokey the Bot returned to the Supporters Section. There was another smokey introduction to the match, and the south wall was nearly covered with a massive display of tifos.
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A close up of each one can be found HERE.
Also, about 30 hours before the match, Detroit City FC announced that a 10% interest in the club would be offered to the public. Supporters could now invest and hold an ownership stake in Detroit City FC. By game time, over $500,000 in shares had been purchased. Here is the promotional video…
July 31, 2020
NISA Independent Cup
Great Lakes Region
Detroit City FC 3, Cleveland SC 0
Attendance: 1 (Smokey the Bot)
DCFC Ryan Peterson (Roddy Green) 42′
DCFC Connor Rutz 52′
DCFC Shawn Lawson (Connor Rutz) 65′
Big, new tifo for the Men’s Team’s first professional home match.
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Smokey the Bot ready with the smoke.
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During the pre-game warm-up, Detroit City FC players wore these stunning Black Lives Matter shirts. The women wore them during their warm-ups, too, and they were so in demand that the team took pre-orders for them for supporters to purchase.
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Detroit City FC’s Starting Eleven:
Austin Rogers – Goalkeeper
Tendai Jirira – Defender
Steve Carroll – Defender
Sebastian Capozucchi – Defender
Jimmy Filerman – Midfielder
Michael Kafari – Midfielder
Roddy Green – Midfielder
Evans Frimpong – Midfielder
Connor Rutz – Midfielder
Yazeed Matthews – Forward
Ryan Peterson – Forward
When the starting whistle blew, both teams, coaches, and officials, took a silent knee to stand up for social justice for thirty seconds.
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Once play resumed, the smoke began.
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City controlled the first half, having several chances on the Cleveland goal.
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Finally, the breakthrough. Evans Frimpong directed a quick ball through to Roddy Green. Green ran it down the right side then fed a beauty of a pass in the box where Ryan Peterson dove low to head it past Cleveland’s keeper, Conor Cable.
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Smokey the Bot launched the celebration.
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City went into halftime with the 1-0 lead.
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City continued its domination in the second half. Michael Kafari was taken down just outside of the Cleveland box. This set up Connor Rutz’s wicked blast to give City a two goal lead.
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Smoke billowed in the background, however it was not from the Northern Guard.
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City increased its lead in the 65th minute as Connor Rutz sent a pass across to Shawn Lawson, and Lawson did what he does…he scored.
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Neighborhood pyrotechnics created a backdrop to this Detroit City FC victory.
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Ahead of Sunday’s match against FC Buffalo, the standings looked like this.
Detroit City FC 1-0-0 3 points, +3 goal differential
Cleveland SC 1-0-1 3 points, -1 goal differential
FC Buffalo 0-0-1 0 points, -2 goal differential.
July 30, 2020
July 26, 2020: 2020 UWS Stadium Showcase Final
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An oppressively hot Sunday in historic Keyworth Stadium was the setting for the finals of the 2020 United Women’s Soccer Stadium Showcase. On Friday, Midwest United FC dominated Livonia City FC in a 9-0 route, while Detroit City FC defeated Lansing United 2-1, setting up today’s matches.
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Friday night’s smoke out by the Northern Guard Supporters left scorch marks on the wall. Another dash of character for this beloved stadium.
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The third place game began the afternoon between Livonia City FC and Lansing United.
Daniella Bruce and Neal Ruhl calling the action in this match.
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July 26, 2020
Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, MI
Livonia City FC 0, Lansing United 3
Attendance: 0
Lansing Sabrina McNeill (Anna Stinson) 15′
Lansing Kaley Buck (Anna Stinson) 24′
Lansing Kristi Bowden (Sabrina McNeill) 70′
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Above the pitch, a large bird hovered and soared with a much smaller bird in pursuit.
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Sabrina McNeill opened the scoring for Lansing United.
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Livonia City FC looked better than they did in Friday’s match, but it wasn’t enough to offset Lansing United’s skill.
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The tournament final was a rematch of last Friday’s friendly in Grand Rapids, Detroit City FC vs Midwest United FC.
July 26, 2020
Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, MI
Detroit City FC 1, Midwest United FC 3
Attendance: 1 (Smokey the Bot)
MUFC Macy Hollingsworth 9′
DCFC Caroline Fleming 12′
MUFC Stitch Currie 54′
MUFC Marti Corby (Regan Dalton) 75′
The lone Northern Guard Supporter, Smokey the Bot, was prepared to ignite the smoke for DCFC goals.
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The team debuted these awesome warm-up shirts on Friday. The reaction was so positive that the next day, pre-orders for these limited edition shirts were taken, with the proceeds to be donated to local charities and player driven initiatives. I heard that first-day sales of these were pretty amazing. (Of course, one of the orders is mine).[image error][image error][image error][image error][image error]
The Starting XI for Detroit City FC were:
Goalkeeper Gabby Gauruder
Defender Grace Philpotts
Defender Margaret Berry
Defender Kim Siebert
Defender Kelsey McClafferty
Midfielder Morgan Reitano
Midfielder Bri Rogers
Midfielder Syd Blomquist
Forward Caroline Fleming
Forward Sarah Huge
Forward Kenna White
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Former Detroit City FC player Stefan St. Louis (2012) is an assistant coach for our opponent tonight.
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In the 9th minute, Macy Hollingsworth blasted a shot into the back of the Detroit City FC net. However, three minutes later, Sarah Huge turned a Midwest United defender inside out, fired a shot that Midwest United keeper, Maia Perez, got a hand to, but the ball trickled parallel to the line for Caroline Fleming to kick into the gaping goal.
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And Smokey the Bot celebrates!
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Like last week in Grand Rapids, the teams went into the half on level ground.
As I left the south end, under the stands, this guy was in the middle of the walkway. He darted under the fence and climbed the fence surrounding one of the stadium light posts. Someone came down the walkway, saw me lining up the photo, and said that the squirrel was close to getting on the field during the game. The squirrel looks a little upset, like we’re intruding on his domain.
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Just like in Grand Rapids the week before, Midwest United dominated the second half, scoring two goals to take the 2020 UWS Stadium Showcase tournament.
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Ever since September 28, 2019, everyone has been excited for the 2020 Detroit City FC Women’s Team to take to the pitch at Keyworth. The excitement grew with the January 4, 2020 player tryouts at the Detroit City Fieldhouse. Then, the pandemic, disrupting everything in America.
With so much uncertainty, Coach Sam Piraine, Assistant Coaches Charlie Bell and Jon Evans, Goalkeeping Coach Kyle Willingham, and the twenty-five women who wore the Detroit City FC kit who stuck it out, trained, and participated in these three matches, have fed us with a sampling of what to look forward to. We thank you all, and we’re proud of you, and soon, we’ll be back together in 2021, with Northern Guard Supporters creating an atmosphere at Keyworth that will torment our opponents and lift your energy on the pitch.
July 29, 2020
July 24, 2020 UWS Stadium Showcase – Semi-Final round
Due to the COVID-19 pandemic, the 2020 United Women’s Soccer season was cancelled. As Michigan moved into Stage 4 of Governor Gretchen Whitmer’s 6-stage Safe Start Plan, a tournament featuring four women’s teams was scheduled for the weekend at Keyworth. Two games were to be played on Friday night, and then on Sunday, the winners of Fridays matches would face each other for the championship, and the other two teams would play a match for third-place.
Even though no fans were permitted to attend, the Northern Guard still made their presence known with their banners, including some new ones.
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The event kicked off with Midwest United FC playing Livonia City.
July 24, 2020
Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, MI
Midwest United FC 9, Livonia City 0
Attendance: 0.
MUFC Stitch Curry 17′
MUFC Stitch Curry 22′
MUFC Stitch Curry 32′
MUFC Marti Corby 33′
MUFC Hannah Crum (PK) 45′
MUFC Kaema Amachree 61′
MUFC Macy Wierenga 62′
MUFC Stitch Curry 71′
MUFC Marti Corby 90+’
A familiar face was in the house, as Stefan St. Louis (2012) returned to Michigan to be an assistant coach with Midwest United FC women’s team.
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It was a one-sided affair as Midwest United racked up 9 goals; four by Stitch Curry, and five before halftime.
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The second match featured Detroit City FC’s first home game at Keyworth Stadium, against Lansing United, one of the former NPSL rivals of the men’s team.
July 24, 2020
Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, MI
Detroit City FC 2, Lansing Untied 1
DCFC Lilian Lucas (Bri Rogers) 20′
LU Rachel Philpotts 53′
DCFC Kenna White 83′
Attendance: 0.
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During the warm-ups, Detroit City FC teams will be wearing these kick-ass Black Lives Matters/#CityAgainstRacism tops.
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Tonight’s Starting XI for Detroit City FC’s first match at Keyworth was:
Goalkeeper Becca Przyblyo
Defender Grace Philpotts
Defender Kelsey McClafferty
Defender Margaret Berry
Defender Syd Blomquist
Midfield Kayla Halmaghi
Midfield Lilian Lucas
Midfield Bri Rogers
Forward Tori Singstock
Forward Kenna White
Forward Sarah Huge
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Now, due to the pandemic, fans were not allowed into the stadium. Is that going to stop the Northern Guard Supporters? Oh no. This is the first match at Keyworth for the women’s team, and if they weren’t going to be allowed to enjoy the full-on atmosphere of the songs and chants, they were still going to be honored with a tifo and smoke.
Lots of smoke.
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After several minutes delay, the match resumed.
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Lilian Lucas blasts home the opening goal for City in the 20th minute.
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Despite the empty supporters’ section, the Northern Guard’s Smokey the Bot, a smoke-deploying robot, provided the post-goal, celebratory smoke.
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City led at the end of the first half, 1-0.
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Friendly the Bear proves to be the most responsible sports mascot, as he wears his mask.
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Rachel Philpott equalized in the 53rd minute for Lansing United. But in the 83rd minute, Syd Blomquist forced a turnover by the Lansing keeper, allowing Kenna White to notch the game-winner. Smokey the Bot celebrates.
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As a result of today’s matches, Sunday will see Livonia City FC take on Lansing United for the third place game, and Detroit City FC face Midwest United FC for the championship.
July 28, 2020
July 17, 2020: at Midwest United FC
July 17, 2020
Midwest United FC Complex, Kentwood, MI
Midwest United FC 3, Detroit City FC 1
DCFC Torri Swingstock (Sydney Blomquist) 48′
MUFC Grace Labadie 54′
MUFC Macy Wierenga 61′
MUFC Grace Labadie 64′
Attendance: somewhere between 30 and 40.
COVID-19 sucks. The pandemic caused America to shut down in March to curb the spread of the virus due to the unpreparedness and denial of President Trump. This included sports leagues being forced to suspend or completely cancel seasons. United Women’s Soccer (UWS) cancelled the 2020 season on June 9th. With a slow wave of business openings in July, the sports world began to restart their seasons, playing in empty stadiums. To salvage some playing opportunity for the women of the UWS, teams put together regional competitions. Midwest United hosted three matches; vs Corktown AFC, Livonia City FC, and Detroit City FC.
This was Detroit City FC’s first competitive match. A blistering 90-degree Friday evening in July.
A small gathering of about 30-40 spectators (with myself and maybe five others wearing masks), the environment lacked the noise and engagement that the Northern Guard bring. So this made for a very weird Detroit City FC environment. Especially since our Rouge Rovers would have outnumbered them – much like our trips to FC Indiana (minus the corn field).
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The starting eleven for City were:
Becca Przybylo – Goalkeeper
Sarah Huge – Defender
Kelsey McClafferty – Defender
Grace Philpotts – Left Back
Sydney Blomquist – Right Back
Kayla Halmaghi – Center Midfielder
Lilian Lucas – Left Midfielder
Hannah Becker – Right Midfielder
Caroline Fleming – Forward
Morgan Reitano – Forward
Kenna White – Striker
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The first half was exciting, with play pretty level. City hit the woodwork with a shot, both teams had chances. After the first 45, the score remained deadlocked at 0-0.
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Hannah Becker (below) sends the ball to Syd Blomquist (#7)…
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Blomquist then sent in a cross that Tori Singstock (#14) knocked into the back of the Midwest United FC net for the historic first goal.
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Unfortunately, about six minutes later, Midwest United equalized, then scored two more within the next ten minutes.
It was our first look at the women’s team, as many players rotated throughout the match. They played well, and make us more eager to fill Keyworth Stadium and cheer them on once this pandemic is over.
July 18, 2020
2019 Summary – Act Two
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Behind the scenes, the transition from the classic NPSL season to the NPSL Members Cup was a bit bumpy. When the season began, it was to be called the NPSL Founders Cup, as the NPSL was going to grow a professional league for the 2020 season. Eleven teams were slated to be in the tournament, divided into two regions.
East Region:
Chattanooga FC
Detroit City FC
Miami FC
Miami United FC
Milwaukee Torrent
New York Cosmos
West Region:
ASC San Diego
Cal FC
California United Strikers FC
FC Arizona
Oakland Roots SC
On March 2, 2019, California United Strikers FC withdrew from the Founders Cup. Three months later, they were accepted into the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA).
On June 27, 2019, Oakland Roots SC withdrew from the NPSL Founders Cup.
On July 24, 2019, Miami FC joined the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA). This forced the NPSL to rebrand the tournament from the Founders Cup to the NPSL Members Cup, and realign with the removal of some teams and addition of others. The tournament became a six-team home-and-home competition, best record take-all format featuring:
Chattanooga FC
Detroit City FC
Michigan Stars FC
Milwaukee Torrent
Napa Valley 1839 FC
New York Cosmos
On August 15, 2019, Chattanooga FC, Detroit City FC, and Oakland Roots SC were accepted as members of NISA.
To summarize:
FINAL RECORD 8-1-1 = 25 Points
First Place/Champions!
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Goals For: 17
5 -Yazeed Matthews
2 – Cyrus Saydee, Danny Deakin, Ryan Peterson
1 – Macrello Borges, Stephen Carroll, Jalen Crisler, Richard Bryan, Shawn Lawson, Own Goal by Milwaukee
Goals Against: 4
Clean Sheets: 6
Individual Awards:
Yazeed Matthews – Golden Ball Award (MVP)
Nate Steinwascher – Golden Glove Award (Best Keeper)
NPSL Members Cup Starting XI:
Trevor James – Coach
Nate Steinwascher – Goalkeeper
Stephen Carroll – Defender
Yazeed Matthews – Forward
August 6, 2019: Windsor TFC (Friendly)
August 13, 2019: Indy Eleven (Friendly)
August 17, 2019: Chattanooga FC (NPSL Members Cup)
August 31, 2019: Philadelphia Fury (Friendly)
September 7, 2019: Atlas FC (International Friendly)
September 14, 2019: at Milwaukee Torrent (NPSL Members Cup)
September 21, 2019: New York Cosmos (NPSL Members Cup)
September 28, 2019: Napa Valley 1839 FC (NPSL Members Cup)
October 5, 2019: at Chattanooga FC (NPSL Members Cup)
October 8, 2019: Michigan Stars FC (NPSL Members Cup)
October 16, 2019: at Michigan Stars FC (NPSL Members Cup)
October 29, 2019: Milwaukee Torrent (NPSL Members Cup)
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March 21, 2020
October 29, 2019: Milwaukee Torrent (NPSL Members Cup)
October 29, 2019
NPSL Members Cup
Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, MI
Detroit City FC 0, Milwaukee Torrent 1
Attendance: 5,720 happy folks
Milwaukee Santiago D’Imperio 65′
FINAL RECORD 8-1-1 = 25 Points
First Place/Champions!
Goals For: 17
Yazeed Matthews 5,
Cyrus Saydee, Danny Deakin, Ryan Peterson 2,
Macrello Borges, Stephen Carroll, Jalen Crisler, Richard Bryan, Shawn Lawson 1
Own Goal by Milwaukee
Goals Against: 4
Clean Sheets: 6
We will sing for you City
Til we finish the fight
There’s going to be a party Detroit
No one’s sleeping tonight!
This day was just festive. We were the NPSL Members Cup champions with the final match of the competition to play. So we had to finish the fight, but the partying had begun long before the opening kick.
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Matt was right. The last time I experienced something like this was in 1997. It has been a long 22 years. Of course, the 2017 NPSL Midwest Regional Final was epic. But being crowned the league champion holds significant weight, especially when one of the tournament’s participants was the legendary New York Cosmos brand. To have this full day, with a match to play and a Clubhouse to take the party to following the on-field ceremonies, was well worth savoring.
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Prior to the match, Detroit City FC legends Seb Harris and Dave Edwardson were honored. Their dedication and contribution to the growth and development of this team and organization will never be forgotten. It is appropriate that they share in this celebration, too.
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Half time. No goals, but plenty of pints consumed in the stands.
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Milwaukee scored in the 65th minute. With City not finding a goal, the Northern Guard had a lot of smoke to disperse, and, well, it went off near the end of the game, causing a significant delay.
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The first order of business was presenting the Black Arrow Award. The Black Arrow was the nickname of Gil Heron, a Jamaican footballer who lived in Detroit and became the first black player for Celtic F.C., and is awarded annually to Detroit City FC’s Most Valuable Player. The previous winners were
2012: Keith Lough and Josh Rogers
2013: Zach Myers
2014: Cyrus Saydee
2015: David Edwardson
2016: Tommy Catalano
2017: Tyrone Mondi
2018: Stephen Carroll
After a season like this one, which was a strong team effort by every individual, there was one young man who scored the most goals this season and is the career leader in goals scored for Detroit City FC…
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After all this, the party continued at the Detroit City Clubhouse and well into the night. I left the camera in the car, for I had some partying to do with my friends.
March 19, 2020
October 16, 2019: at Michigan Stars FC (NPSL Members Cup)
I begin this page not with the stats from this match, but from the match four days earlier when Detroit City FC traveled to New York to play the Cosmos. It was the most important match, for the Cosmos had a record of 6-2-0, 20 points and City was at 6-1-0, 19 points. A Cosmos win would almost assuredly put us out of reach for the title, even though we had a game in hand. A draw would keep things tight and interesting with a single point separating us with the Cosmos having one remaining game and City having two. A City win, however, placed us in charge of our own fate.
October 12, 2019
NPSL Members Cup
Mitchel Athletic Complex, Uniondale, New York
New York Cosmos 1, Detroit City FC 2
Attendance: ?
DCFC Cyrus Saydee (Yazeed Matthews) 8′
DCFC Yazeed Matthews (Danny Deakin) 30′
Cosmos Matt Lewis 82′
I attended the watch party as well as the 1st anniversary party of Rebel Cycle Studio, where I have been taking spin classes.
With that crucial victory, the team returned to play another weeknight game against the Stars, this time within the confines of their tin can. Three points, and we’re the NPSL Members Cup champion.
October 16, 2019
NPSL Members Cup
Ultimate Soccer Arenas, Pontiac, MI
Michigan Stars 0, Detroit City FC 1
Attendance: 99% Rouge and Gold
DCFC Yazeed Matthews (Tendi Jirira) 66′
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At halftime, the match was scoreless. The tension rose as every Rouge & Gold supporter (which was darn near everyone in the cement and aluminum container) waited for that deciding goal.
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The Goal: Bakie to the left flank where the rushing Tendai Jirira touched the ball forward three times before delivering back to the middle where Yazeed did what Yazeed does.
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In 1997, I photographed the Detroit Vipers Turner Cup championship. An ultimate dream come true.
Tonight, after the final whistle, this felt so much better. Yes, it was cool to be on the ice and in the locker room at the Palace with the Vipers afterward, hanging out with the team that was my favorite. But it was the team and their families in that locker room. No one else.
This was something bigger. Deeper.
Looking around, there were so many friends I’ve come to know, appreciate, and love over the past eight years. So many smiles on the faces of my favorite people.
My parents always promoted the individual sports. They prefer watching golf. It’s all about the person. To them, in team sports when someone else makes a mistake you lose. “It’s all on you in golf.”
But when you win in golf, you celebrate alone.
Tonight, Detroit City FC and the Northern Guard Supporters celebrated together. How sweet that feeling is.
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