It was 2012 the last time an MLS side visited Michigan, the same year Detroit City FC began play in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). That year the Michigan (now Flint City) Bucks defeated the Chicago Fire in extra time. 10 years later, now playing as a pro side in the USL Championship, DCFC didn’t need extra time to upset the Columbus Crew, winning 2-1 on two second-half goals by Maxi Rodriguez to advance in their first U.S. Open Cup match against Major League Soccer opposition.
Both sides came out making calculated advances in the first few minutes, but an early foul in the Detroit City FC penalty box changed the course of the game. Aidan Morris was taken down from behind by Abdoulaye Diop, leading to a Crew penalty kick. Gyasi Zardes was able to place the penalty just past the outstretched arms of Le Rouge goalkeeper Nate Steinwascher in the 7th minute to give Columbus the 1-0 lead.
HE DOES IT AGAIN. UNBELIEVABLE.@MaxiRodrigue21#DCTID | #USOC2022 pic.twitter.com/Mz2iww42Da
— Detroit City FC (@DetroitCityFC) April 20, 2022
Energized by the goal, the Crew were able to dictate play for a good 15-20 minutes. That didn’t stop DCFC from making a couple of plays of their own, pressing on the counter attack but unable to break through with a clear chance. The last 15 minutes of the first half gave City a few more opportunities to level the match, but the Columbus defense was able to steer away any threats, keeping the score 1-0 Crew at halftime.
The second half started with an exciting play just more than a minute in when Zardes received a long through ball behind the DCFC back line. Steinwascher stepped up to the play and slid in to keep Zardes from being able to earn his second goal. Although it is unclear if there was contact made, the referee made no call as the ball rolled out for a goal kick. Zardes got another crack in the 60th minute as Marlon Hairston sent a cross to him at the top of the six-yard box, but defender Matt Lewis was able to just get a foot in front as Zardes’ shot was deflected skyward.
Four minutes later, Detroit City FC found an equalizer. Upon receiving a throw-in, Antoine Hoppenot was able to fight off a challenge from Hairston and cross the ball to a posted Rodriguez, who headed the ball home to get the Keyworth crowd celebrating.
Finding themselves now level with the USL side, Columbus were not ready to sit back. Shortly after kickoff, Alexandru Matan received a pass from a sliding Aidan Morris on the left side of the box and had a quick attempt at goal, only for Steinwascher to dive and get his left hand on the ball to deflect it wide.
Another look at our first goal of the night from @MaxiRodrigue21, assisted by @AntoineHoppenot!#DCTID pic.twitter.com/b5HOIFrv1b
— Detroit City FC (@DetroitCityFC) April 20, 2022
After multiple chances by both sides in a back-and-forth physical second half, it was another penalty that was able to give Detroit City FC the edge. Having received a cross into the box from Deklan Wynne in the 84th minute, Michael Bryant turned toward net only to have Crew defender and captain Josh Williams pull him down. Rodriguez would step to the spot and put away his second goal of the match in the 86th minute, his penalty kick hitting the left post and trickling beyond the goal line.
The Crew, knowing for certain that they need a goal to keep their team alive, pushed ahead hard in the final few minutes, but the DCFC back line held firm to help close out the match, sending the fans at Keyworth into delirium.
With the win, Detroit City FC advances to the Fourth Round for the first time in the club’s history. Their goal scorer and man of the match, Rodriguez scored his second and third goals in the US Open Cup, having scored his first for San Antonio FC in 2018 in a Second Round win over the NPSL’s Midland-Odessa Sockers FC. Meanwhile, the Columbus Crew are bounced out of the tournament in their first match for the third time in the last four seasons.
