A late first half goal was all Detroit City FC (USL Championship) needed to get past local opponent and new club Gold Star FC Detroit (NISA), winning 1-0 at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, Mich. A Yazeed Matthews header over an onrushing Brandon Barnes was the difference in the match, though Gold Star pushed late and often for the equalizer.
DCFC rotated their side from their last league match while their opponents from nearby Livonia started most of the same players from their first-ever match on the road against Chattanooga FC over the weekend. Gold Star looked to send a message early by playing DCFC physically as the Third Division side wanted to make their presence known. This message eventually led to a pair of yellow cards against Gold Star in the 14th and 16th minutes for Hunter Gibbons and Max Rugova, respectively.
Detroit City was able to create the majority of chances in the first half, but none had truly threatened Gold Star FC goalkeeper Brandon Barnes until the 34th minute, when he was able to save a Maxi Rodriguez free kick from well outside the box while Yazeed Matthews challenged him.
Gold Star’s best chance of the first half came in the 38th minute as Alexander Dalou carried the ball into the box from the left side, then threaded the ball through four defenders to a wide open Rugova. Then Rugova hit a one-time shot that Ryan Shellow was able to save.
The only goal of the match came in the 43rd minute as Adrian Billhardt (who would prove to be the man of the match) served up a long ball into the box from 40 yards out. On the bounce, Matthews was able to get his head over Gold Star defender Leonel Palma and knock the ball beyond the outstretched hands of Barnes to give Detroit City FC the lead.
Watching this @YazeedZeety header on repeat! #DCTID | #USOC2023
— Detroit City FC (@DetroitCityFC) April 5, 2023
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With that goal, Matthews scored his first goal in his first US Open Cup appearance. Billhardt and Matthews would attempt to repeat their feat late in first half stoppage time as a header from Matthews was sent wide right.
Post match, Billhardt commented on Matthews’ runs into the box and the play that led to the goal: “I always knew that was making good runs and fantastic run by him and an even greater finish.”
The second half saw some more opportunities from each side, but Gold Star got the better of the chances, especially as the game carried on. The first came in the 49th minute as DCFC defender Stephen Carroll had the ball swiped from him by Dalou near the defensive corner. Dalou then crossed the ball into the box to a waiting Josh Gatt , but he pushed the shot just wide left. For Gatt, a Michigan native who spent time playing professionally overseas, including a couple of caps with the U.S. National Team.
Gold Star FC made some tactical subs in the 62nd and 70th minutes that would prove to be crucial in helping them put on the pressure to get the equalizing goal. The key substitution made was Roddy Green, who had previously played for Detroit City FC from 2017-2021 and was a fan favorite in his time with Le Rouge. He has made his mark in the Open Cup previously, having scored the winning penalty kick to lead DCFC over the Michigan Bucks in the First Round in 2018.
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— Detroit City FC (@DetroitCityFC) April 3, 2023
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The best chance of the second half happened to land at Green’s feet with just minutes to spare. In the 89th minute, Gatt served up a cross to Green on the far post as DCFC goalkeeper Shellow scrambled to get into position, but Green fumbled his first touch. He was able to recover, but then sent a shot well over the crossbar.
“There were a number of moments where the coaching staff pretty much broke the chairs provided to us getting up excited thinking we had the moment,” said Gold Star head coach Alex Lubyansky. “But it was a genuine valiant effort tonight.”
DCFC goalkeeper Ryan Shellow, normally the second-choice keeper behind Nate Steinwascher, made two saves in his first USOC appearance and was able to earn a clean sheet. With the 1-0 win, Detroit City FC have now advanced in consecutive tournaments for the first time in their history and increase their home unbeaten streak in the tournament to six games. Le Rouge moves on to face an opponent to be determined in Round 3.The draw will take place later this week.