Louisville, KY — Detroit City FC saw its unbeaten run dating back to last year come to an end on Saturday afternoon with a 2-0 loss to Louisville City FC. Louisville’s play in the attached third dominated the first half, leading to the go-ahead goal in the 20th minute. Detroit City grew into the game in the second half, creating multiple opportunities to go level, but a goal in the 77th put the game out of reach for Le Rouge.
For the first time this season, Head Coach Danny Dichio changed the starting XI that played the first three games. Goalkeeper Carlos Herrera debuted for Detroit City, replacing Carlos Saldaña, and Devon Amoo-Mensah made his 2024 debut, replacing Shane Wiedt on the back line.
The tone of the match was set early on, as Louisville controlled play and established their presence in the attacking third. Most of Detroit’s opportunities arose from counter-attacks. Despite Louisville’s early dominance, Detroit came close to scoring in the eighth minute when a well-placed delivery into the box found Darren Smith in an excellent position just above the penalty spot. He headed the ball on target, but the Louisville goalkeeper made the save.
A defensive breakdown in the 20th minute gave Louisville an opportunity, and Ray Serrano would take advantage of it, putting the ball past Herrera, giving Louisville the 1-0 lead.
In the final ten minutes before the halftime break, both teams would pick up yellow cards, as Rhys Williams picked up the first of the game in the 37th minute, and Louisville’s Phillip Goodrum picked up his in the 41st minute.
Coming out of the halftime break, Detroit looked better as the minutes passed. After a Louisville foul on the edge of the box led to a Zach Duncan yellow card, Detroit City had a free-kick opportunity. Villanueva took the free kick and got the ball past the wall on a curling kick. The shot was on target, but the Louisville keeper made a diving save to keep the match 1-0.
Detroit would once again come close to an equalizer in the 57th minute as Rhys Williams played a ball to Darren Smith in the box, but the Louisville keeper saved the shot.
Le Rouge made its first two changes right at the hour mark, as Ryan Williams and Jordan Adebayo-Smith replaced Jay Chapman and Jeciel Cedeño. Detroit made another change five minutes later as Morey Doner entered the match for Rhys Williams.
Louisville’s Taylor Davilla picked up Louisville’s third yellow card of the afternoon in the 67th minute, giving Detroit another free-kick opportunity. The ball would be driven into the box, but a foul by DCFC would see the momentum stopped.
DCFC made their final two changes in the 71st minute, as Connor Rutz and Sebastián Guenzatti entered the match for Marcello Polisi and Darren Smith.
Off a Detroit City turnover in the midfield, Louisville City went on the counter-attack in the 77th minute. Emanuel Perez got the ball to Jansen Wilson, who put it in the back of the net to double Louisville’s lead.
Detroit City was given an opportunity in the 84th minute, as Kevon Lambert came in with a late tackle on Ryan Williams, and the referee decided it was a straight red card, giving DCFC a man advantage for the final moments of the game.
Although Detroit had a man advantage, Louisville ensured that would not cost them. They locked down the back line for the final moments, securing the 2-0 victory.
For Detroit City, the loss would see the 12-match unbeaten run come to an end. Prior to today, Le Rouge’s last loss came on August 24th, a 1-0 home defeat against FC Tulsa.
Detroit City returns home to Keyworth Stadium next weekend to face Western Conference opponent Monterey Bay FC. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. Tickets for all Detroit City matches can be found at www.detcityfc.com/tickets.
Detroit City Starting XI – Carlos Herrera, Alex Villanueva, Devon Amoo-Mensah, Stephen Carroll, Michael Bryant, Marcello Polisi (71’), Jay Chapman (60’), Ben Morris, Jeciel Cedeño (60’), Rhys Williams (65’), Darren Smith (71’)
Detroit City Substitutes – Shane Wiedt, Connor Rutz (71’), Tatenda Mkuruva, Sebastián Guenzatti (71’), Morey Doner (65’), Ryan Williams (60’), Jordan Adebayo-Smith (60’)
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on X and Facebook and @detroitcityfootballclub on Instagram.
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Primary Media Contact: Jarrett Maki (Sports Information Director, jarrett.maki@detcityfc.com)
