Michigan Rangers FC Exits the U.S. Open Cup Despite Valiant Effort against Pro Side Detroit City FC
By Fletcher Sharpe/NPSL.com
It was a valiant effort by Michigan Rangers FC, but unfortunately, they ran out of gas as an explosive second half by USL Championship side Detroit City FC propelled the hosts into the U.S. Open Cup’s Second Round by a scoreline of 5-1.
The first chance of the game came in the fifth minute by way of Detroit’s Rhys Williams, as he sent a cross that was headed over the net by Alex Dalou.
Fans would not have to wait much longer for the first goal of the match. In the sixth minute after a foul by Detroit’s Tommy Silva, Giuseppe Barone stepped up from about 30 yards out and laced a gorgeous free kick, beating Carlos Saldaña high and left to make it 1-0 to the Rangers.
“Originally, I was thinking about sending in a cross,” Barone said. “But I took a peek and saw where the keeper was, and thought ‘Sure, why not?’ and thankfully it worked out.”
Detroit would attempt to counter in the 14th minute as Preston Tabort Etaka sent a cross in for Chisom Egbuchulam, but it was headed over. Detroit would continue to pile on pressure on Michigan’s defense as Abdoulaye Diop received a layoff pass from Tabort Etaka and forced a save from Sebastian Doppelhofer in the 15th minute that led to three straight corners for Detroit. The third ended in a foul for Rangers with Doppelhofer being fouled as he went for the ball. After a stolen ball deep in Rangers territory in the 17th minute, Diop had another shot saved, this time by deflection before Doppelhofer grabbed it safely.
Detroit finally equalized in the 22nd minute, after Jeciel Cedeño’s shot was deflected into the path of Tabort Etaka, who got a shot off that was initially saved by Doppelhofer before unfortunately ricocheting off his foot and into the net.
The Rangers defense was tested again in the 30th minute, as Detroit launched a set piece play but Connor Rutz’s shot was grabbed safely by Doppelhofer. Immediately following, Rutz found space on the right side of the Rangers’ box in the 31st minute, but the ensuing shot from Cedeño was pulled just outside the post.
Detroit would dominate on the stat sheet, with 28 shots to four from the Rangers, and it was apparent near the end of the first half.
“I don’t think I’ve faced this many shots since the (2023 NCAA Final Four) in college (at Lewis College),” joked Dopplehofer.
The first yellow card of the night came in the 41st minute as Alex Dalou hauled down George Deveau from behind, after Deveau advanced past Dalou in the middle.
Halftime came, and both teams made a few substitutions. Unfortunately for the Rangers, Detroit would finally breakthrough in the 56th minute as Dalou found a wide-open Maxi Rodriguez on the left side of the box, who calmly collected the pass, before slotting the ball top right past Doppelhofer to make it 2-1.
Nine minutes later, Detroit added on to its lead as Dalou took a pass from Rodriguez, and cut down the left sideline inside and hit a strike past Doppelhofer to make it 3-1.
“We started off good,” Dopplehofer said after. “Unfortunately, mistakes cost us in the end. We played really solid for our level against a pro team.”
Mistakes very much would cost them, as Detroit would make it 4-1 in the 81st minute after a Rangers free kick. The ball found its way to Dalou in the middle who squeezed a pass through to Ates Diouf. It was Diouf who then scuffed a shot low and past Doppelhofer.
Finally, Detroit would get their fifth goal, again from Tabort Etaka, as he was played through by Diop, who raced past the defense to slot home another goal.
It certainly was not all doom and gloom for the Rangers, whose season officially starts May 2nd against Southern Indiana Guardians FC.
“We played really well for an amateur team,” Barone said. “I’m proud of the guys. They gave it their all against a really good opponent in Detroit, and that’s all you can really ask for.”
Doppelhofer had similar feelings.
“We expect to have a good summer with the guys. We’re gonna have a majority of the guys back to make a good run this summer.”
Barone concluded with a very positive silver lining for the summer.
“We can use this game to show us what we need to do to be ready to play against a really good team. Use this experience to help us going forward.”
Photo Credit: Michael J. Sharpe/NPSL.com
