With an impressively packed stadium at Ambrose Urbanic Field, the NPSL’s Steel City FC took to the field in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup for the first time in club history on Thursday night, as they hosted professional opposition in the Michigan Stars FC of NISA in a night to remember.
In the end, it was the Stars who prevailed, with Nels Lellouch scoring the game’s only goal in the 83rd minute to give Michigan their first Open Cup win in their third attempt.
With the Stars representing a substantial step up in level of opposition for the reigning Great Lakes Conference champions – having won the NISA championship in 2022 and reaching the final in 2023 – the amateurs proved more than up to the challenge, largely dominating the early proceedings.
The first half saw the match played almost entirely in Michigan’s half, with Steel City pressing high, generating turnovers, and dangerous opportunities. The action began early with a dangerous free kick in the third minute, put on frame for the first shot on-target by veteran forward Nicky Kolarac.
While the Stars attempted to sit back and counter, Steel City was far more aggressive, constantly leaving the visitors with no room to maneuver and just not precise enough to generate meaningful danger. The constant pressure resulted in two first-half yellow cards to Michigan defenders, further compounding their efforts to stymie the flying Steel City attack.
The best opportunity of the half was generated by a clever run from Steel City midfielder Ryan Mertz, who cleverly slipped behind the Stars defense, was found by an equally clever ball through, and blasted a right-footed shot that rang the crossbar to a massive shout from the packed crowd.
Forward Nathan Prex was a constant threat for the hosts, generating several headers on frame from crosses and set pieces, forcing several saves from Stars goalkeeper Tatenda Mkuruva. One such attempt was parried to the feet of Kolarac, who’s good chance at goal was blasted over the crossbar.
The Stars best chance of the first half came on a big ball over the top from the defense. Forward Praise Maduekwe got on the end of that pass and found himself one-on-one with Steel City keeper Garret Watson, who made the crucial save before the assistant referee ultimately raised her flag to signal offsides.
Ultimately, despite the Steel City dominance, the clubs went to the dressing room at level pegging – leaving Steel City feeling the better of the two sides, but with missed chances to potentially rue later on.
As the second half got underway, the Stars came out far more aggressively, throwing bodies forward to break the aggressive Steel City press to good results. The opening stages of the half were a much more even affair than the first period of play. The first chance went the visitor’s way, as a 55th minute corner resulted in a header just wide of goal.
The hosts were not to be counted out however, as Steel City generated a substantial chance of their own in the 62nd minute. A long ball over the top turned into a two-on-two opportunity with Plex controlling the initial pass before finding substitute forward Pat Koenig. With just the goalkeeper to beat, Koenig’s shot did get around his opposite number, but just sailed above the crossbar.
The breakthrough finally came in the 83rd minute, as a dangerous attacking free kick from the right wing was delivered by Michigan’s Daniel Wright and found the head of Niells Lellouch. His redirected header to the back post beat everyone in Steel City’s defense and trickled over the line to give the Stars the lead. For the Stars, it was not only the first goal of the night, but it was also the team’s first shot on goal.
Despite a valiant effort from the hosts for the final 10-plus minutes of regulation and stoppage time, they were unable to find an equalizer and the final whistle blew with the scoreline at 1-0 in favor of the Stars. Still, the crowd of 1,142 at Ambrose Urbanic Field lifted their voices in pride at the strong showing from the hosts.
With that result, the Michigan Stars advanced to the Second Round of the Cup. Steel City meanwhile continues its preparation for the upcoming NPSL season, where they seek to defend their Great Lakes Conference title and return to the Cup as soon as possible.
