Detroit City tops Grand Rapids for first league victory
Detroit City FC waited to take advantage of its numerical superiority, defeating 10-man Grand Rapids FC 3-1 before 5,144 spectators at Keyworth Stadium on Friday.
Late second-half goals by Shawn Lawson (78th minute) and Derrick Otim (82nd) broke a 1-1 deadlock as Le Rouge (1-2-1) earned its first National Premier Soccer League victory of the season.
Grand Rapids FC goalkeeper Noah Fazekas received a straight red card for his challenge on Detroit City FC's Tyrone Mondi in the third minute, reducing the visitors to 10 men. Le Rouge didn't make Grand Rapids pay, instead playing on the backfoot for much of the first half while rarely testing substitute goalkeeper Aaron Orban.
Greg Timmer's side volley from six yards out put Grand Rapids FC on the board in the 28th minute and awoke Detroit City from its slumber.
Detroit City FC responded on the ensuing kickoff as midfielder Louis Dargent unleashed a right-footed drive into the side netting. Defender Zack Bock (Western Michigan) sent Dargent down the right flank with a well-executed pass. Dargent, who plays collegiately at Coastal Carolina, dribbled into the 18-yard box before shooting.
"I shouted at them at halftime," said Detroit City FC coach Ben Pirmann, whose team plays FC Indiana on Sunday in Lafayette, Ind. "They all know they were sluggish and we played a lot better in the second half."
Mondi, a native of Bloemfontein, South Africa, was a handful for Grand Rapids (2-1-2) throughout the match. His bending attempt on goal required a diving save from Orban in the 49th minute and he was stopped by the Grand Rapids goalkeeper on a breakaway in the 59th.
The midfielder also delivered the crisp pass across the box that led to Lawson's winning goal, which came on a redirection in the goalmouth.
"He put a good ball behind the defender and I was there to tap it in," said Lawson, who came on as a sub for Tyler Moorman in the 60th minute. "It feels good. It was a good win. We needed that win.
"The team has been ready and the team is ready to go forward from here."
Detroit City saw chances for victory slip in draws against Milwaukee (3-3) and Michigan (2-2). The frustration culminated in the first half when Le Rouge didn't produce a quality scoring chance despite having three consecutive corner kicks.
Le Rouge midfielder Cyrus Saydee appeared to lash out when entangled with Grand Rapids defender Peter Brown. Neither player was cautioned.
So there was more than palpable relief for DCFC when Otim's drive hit the left-side netting, ensuring there would be no chance at a last-minute equalizer.
"It felt good," Pirmann said. "I thought maybe we deserved to win against Milwaukee or the (Michigan) Stars but we didn't. Then we beat a pro team (Glentoran, 1-0, last week in a friendly), which was very good.
"Tonight, we played well in the second half."
locconnor@detroitnews.com