Detroit City FC (NISA) vs Cal United Strikers

October 30, 2021
2021 NISA Fall Season Regular Match
Keyworth Stadium, Hamtramck, MI

Detroit City FC 1, Cal United Strikers 0
DCFC Maxi Rodriguez (PK) 34′

ATTENDANCE: 3,833

It’s Devil’s Night, and…

With 14 games played in an 18-game season, Detroit City FC holds an 11-win, 2-draw, 1-loss record for 35 points. Their closest challenge is at Keyworth tonight: the Cal United Strikers. The Strikers come in with a 6-win, 5-draw, 2-loss record for 23 points. With a game in hand, if Cal United won every game out, they would have 38 points. And if they were to lose tonight, Detroit City FC would be crowned the 2021 NISA Fall Champions.

In three all-time head-to-head matches, City has won one and the other two ended in a draw. Cal United has played City tough.

Cal United’s Omar Nuno leads the league in goals scored with 7, and City’s Maxi Rodriguez is right behind him with 6.

CAL UNITED STRIKERS
Starting XI

Jean Antoine – GK
Ayden Bowers – D
Michael Bryant – D
Bryan De La Fuente – D
Garret Hogbin – D
Felipe Liborio Jr. – D
Alejandro Araneda – M
Stewart Capriotti – M
Christian Thierjung – M
Omar Nuno – F
Bryan Medina – F

DETROIT CITY FC
Starting XI

Nate Steinwascher – GK
Stephen Carroll – D
Matt Lewis – D
Javan Torre Howell – D
Kevin Venegas – M
Jimmy Filerman – M
George Chomakov – M
Maxi Rodriguez – M
Connor Rutz – M
Cyrus Saydee – M
Pato Botello-Faz – F

Cal United came to play. They pressed without much success. A 24th minute shot by Bryan Medina was parried away by Nate Steinwascher.

But City came in, wave after wave, like the Pacific Ocean on a California beach. In the 33rd minute, Javan Torre Howell dribbled into the box, but was taken down by Felipe Liborio Jr. A penalty kick was awarded.

At the spot, Maxi Rodriguez stood. With a single shot, City took the lead and Maxi tied Nuno for the league-lead in goals.

The first half ended 1-nil in City’s favor. And it stayed that way through to the end. Cal United didn’t drown under City pressure, but they certainly weren’t hanging ten. They were hanging on and creating little breaks in the waves. Former City keeper, Jean Antoine was kept busy. But Cal had their chances, too. A 50th minute shot from outside the box was caught by Nate Steinwascher. In the 63rd minute, Nate was forced to make a save on Bryan Medina’s shot at the top of the 18-yard box. A free kick in the 89th minute taken by Bryan Medina was labeled for the corner of the net, but Nate palmed it away.

In the end, City’s poise, possession, and pressure kept the sheet clean for a fourth-straight match.