June 3, 2016: FC Buffalo

June 3, 2016
Rust Belt Derby, Leg One
Keyworth Stadium

Detroit City FC 2, FC Buffalo 1
DCFC  Jeff Adkins (Cyrus Saydee) 24′
DCFC  Tommy Catalano (Cyrus Saydee) 43′
BUFF  Romario Guscott 73′

Attendance 4,413

The Rust Belt Derby.  Established in 2012 by the supporters of AFC Cleveland, FC Buffalo, and Le Rouge, the format has changed forms over the years due to the NPSL’s annual realignment.  This year, with Detroit City FC in the Great Lakes West Conference, and the other two teams in the Great Lakes East Conference, the schedule did not feature matches involving Le Rouge and Cleveland or Buffalo.  The teams would have to work something out in order to keep the derby alive.  It was settled that the 2016 Rust Belt Derby would be a home-and-home friendly between Detroit City FC and FC Buffalo.  AFC Cleveland chose not to participate.

The first leg of the match was held in Detroit on this Friday night.  The second leg on Sunday afternoon in Buffalo, less then 48 hours later.

AFC Cleveland won the first Rust Belt Derby in 2012, but since then, Detroit City FC has owned the trophy.  A four-peat seemed inevitable.

With goals in the first half by Jeff Adkins and Tommy Catalano, Detroit City FC took the first leg of the derby by a 2-1 score.  I was unable to make the road trip to Buffalo, however the nil-nil draw there secured the fourth straight Rust Belt Derby title to Detroit City FC.  This match also marked our third game at Keyworth Stadium, and the first victory on our home pitch.