Article and Photos by Robert Sherman

Detroit City FC returned to Keyworth Stadium for the first time since August of last year on Saturday evening, eager to open its home schedule for the 2018 season. In the first of two friendlies to be held at home before beginning competitive play, Le Rouge drew fellow NPSL powerhouse Chattanooga FC, 1-1, leaving the latter winless in the home-and-home series.

Further into its preseason progression in part to the fair weather in Tennessee, Chattanooga FC should have held an advantage over City, who still have not received all of their players for the year. The lack of a complete roster and less than ideal weather in the Detroit area has partly stifled training for the club in the lead up to the friendlies.

“We’re narrowing down the group to more realistic options,” head Coach Ben Pirmann said. “We want to see that front four be more dangerous, more lethal. I told them at halftime that they have to grind.

“Backline cohesion, we’ve got six guys to pick out of the four. We’ve got Stephen (Carroll), Sebby (Harris), and Jimmy (Fiscus), who will battle it out for the two center back spots.

“We have two good options at left back, but I want to see more out of them. T.J. (Stephens) has been solid at right back, but again we need more there.”

As was the case at Finley Stadium last week, the shortened roster was a non-factor for City’s success in the draw, giving head coach Ben Pirmann a foundation to work with as he eyes the beginning of his club’s competitive fixtures.

“We’ll have options,” he said. “Now it’s our job to figure out who plays where.”

The game started with the teams fighting through the midfield, as another experimental starting eleven came out of the Detroit City FC locker room. The test didn’t equate to results, and reinforcements came in the form of Danny Deakin, Jimmy Fiscus and Brad Centala after 25 minutes.

A bit of action happened right outside of the 18-yard box in the 34th minute, with Cyrus Saydee attempting to dance through defenders but getting fouled and earning a free kick. Deakin had a go at goal, but missed just nearly to the right.

Detroit City FC finally found the back of the net at the brink of halftime, courtesy of newcomer Brad Centala. Scoring his first goal for the club, Centala handed Le Rouge a one goal lead heading into the break.

“Brad (Centala) had a good game, Cyrus (Saydee) and Danny (Deakin), they’re just good players who know how to find spots,” Pirmann said. “It’s natural for those guys to get on the ball.”

It took a little bit of time for the City attackers to heat up in the second half, but as soon as possession started flowing positively, it looked like the boys were in mid-season form. Wave after wave of attack allowed the likes of Shawn Lawson, Jeff Adkins, and Tariq Akeel quality attempts on goal, but nothing came from the efforts.

“Shawn (Lawson) and Roddy (Green), they have to push more. They should be pushing like crazy…because we’re going to have Rafa (Mentzingen) next week,” Pirmann said, concerning competition for starting jobs.

Then Pirmann dropped a bomb.

“If we can squeeze him in with U.S. Soccer, we’re going to sign another big time player…of which you guys are going to love,” Pirmann said of the potential signing.

In the 79th minute, Chattanooga FC found the back of the net from a Charlie Clarke chip that just barely beat goalkeeper Nate Steinwascher, bringing the game back level despite the majority of offensive chances and possession being held by City.

A few more efforts were left uncapitalized for The Boys In Rouge, and the late tally by Clarke forced City into a draw on opening day at Keyworth Stadium.

Pirmann and the boys of Detroit City FC continue preparations by taking on Harpos FC in its final preseason meeting on May 5, while looking forward to a first round tie of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on May 9 against hated foe, the Michigan Bucks.

The first round Open Cup meeting is the “rubber match” between City and the Bucks. The PDL club defeated Le Rouge, 3-0, in 2015 before that magical night in 2016 where City defeated the Bucks, 4-3, in penalties for its first tournament victory.

“The next two weeks are built towards the Cup game, and AFC Ann Arbor away,” Pirmann said. “When the Bucks come here, I think the only advantage is that they won’t know how to play on this surface.

“What people don’t realize is that the other teams get jazzed up to play for these supporters as well, so it’s kind of neutral,” he said. “But the Bucks will have a loaded roster like they always do. It should be a 50-50 game, I think you give some advantages to them, but you also give some advantages to us.”

In the meantime, we can anticipate the potential announcement that Will Mellors-Blair may be making his return to Detroit City Football Club.