July 26, 2020: 2020 UWS Stadium Showcase Final

An oppressively hot Sunday in historic Keyworth Stadium was the setting for the finals of the 2020 United Women’s Soccer Stadium Showcase.  On Friday, Midwest United FC dominated Livonia City FC in a 9-0 route, while Detroit City FC defeated Lansing United 2-1, setting up today’s matches.

Friday night’s smoke out by the Northern Guard Supporters left scorch marks on the wall.  Another dash of character for this beloved stadium.

The third place game began the afternoon between Livonia City FC and Lansing United.

Daniella Bruce and Neal Ruhl calling the action in this match.

July 26, 2020
2020 UWS Stadium Showcase 3rd Place Match.
Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, MI

Livonia City FC 0, Lansing United 3
Lansing Sabrina McNeill (Anna Stinson) 15′
Lansing Kaley Buck (Anna Stinson) 24′
Lansing Kristi Bowden (Sabrina McNeill) 70′

               

Above the pitch, a large bird hovered and soared with a much smaller bird in pursuit.

Sabrina McNeill opened the scoring for Lansing United.

 

Livonia City FC looked better than they did in Friday’s match, but it wasn’t enough to offset Lansing United’s skill.

The tournament final was a rematch of last Friday’s friendly in Grand Rapids, Detroit City FC vs Midwest United FC.

July 26, 2020
2020 UWS Stadium Showcase Final
Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, MI

Detroit City FC 1, Midwest United FC 3
MUFC Macy Hollingsworth 9′
DCFC Caroline Fleming 12′
MUFC Stitch Currie 54′
MUFC Marti Corby (Regan Dalton) 75′

The lone Northern Guard Supporter, Smokey the Bot, was prepared to ignite the smoke for DCFC goals.

The team debuted these awesome warm-up shirts on Friday.  The reaction was so positive that the next day, pre-orders for these limited edition shirts were taken, with the proceeds to be donated to local charities and player driven initiatives.  I heard that first-day sales of these were pretty amazing. (Of course, one of the orders was mine).

The Starting XI for Detroit City FC were:

Goalkeeper Gabby Gauruder
Defender Grace Philpotts
Defender Margaret Berry
Defender Kim Siebert
Defender Kelsey McClafferty
Midfielder Morgan Reitano
Midfielder Bri Rogers
Midfielder Syd Blomquist
Forward Caroline Fleming
Forward Sarah Huge
Forward Kenna White

Former Detroit City FC player Stefan St. Louis (2012) is an assistant coach for our opponent tonight.

In the 9th minute, Macy Hollingsworth blasted a shot into the back of the Detroit City FC net.  However, three minutes later, Sarah Huge turned a Midwest United defender inside out, fired a shot that Midwest United keeper, Maia Perez, got a hand to, but the ball trickled parallel to the line for Caroline Fleming to kick into the gaping goal.

And Smokey the Bot celebrates!

Like last week in Grand Rapids, the teams went into the half on level ground.

As I left the south end, under the stands, this guy was in the middle of the walkway.  He darted under the fence and climbed the fence surrounding one of the stadium light posts.  Someone came down the walkway, saw me lining up the photo, and said that the squirrel was close to getting on the field during the game.  The squirrel looks a little upset, like we’re intruding on his domain.

Just like in Grand Rapids the week before, Midwest United dominated the second half, scoring two goals to take the 2020 UWS Stadium Showcase tournament.

Ever since September 28, 2019, everyone has been excited for the 2020 Detroit City FC Women’s Team to take to the pitch at Keyworth.  The excitement grew with the January 4, 2020 player tryouts at the Detroit City Fieldhouse.  Then, the pandemic disrupted everything in America.

With so much uncertainty, Coach Sam Piraine, Assistant Coaches Charlie Bell and Jon Evans, Goalkeeping Coach Kyle Willingham, and the twenty-five women who wore the Detroit City FC kit stuck it out, trained, and participated in these three matches.  They have fed us with something to look forward to.  We thank you all, and we’re proud of you, and soon, we’ll be back together in 2021, with Northern Guard Supporters creating an atmosphere at Keyworth that will torment our opponents and lift your energy on the pitch.