CAL UNITED STRIKERS SUFFER FIRST DEFEAT AT CHAMPIONSHIP SOCCER STADIUM

Detroit City FC shut out Cal United Strikers in Wednesday's matchup.
 

IRVINE, CA – Cal United Strikers FC suffer their first ever home defeat Wednesday night against Detroit City FC.

 

Both sides faced each other in a goalless draw in the Legends Cup in April.

 

Cal United Strikers made no changes from their win against Chattanooga FC. Michael Bryant remained starting captain, but Xavier Fuerte's return from injury was a welcome boost for the team as he started on the bench.

 

The opening minutes were end to end with no real flashes of quality in the final third. Left back Aydan Bowers picked up an early yellow in the 12th minute after two hard fouls within a minute.

 

The ensuing cross was driven deep into the Cal United half, but the cross was smartly caught by goalkeeper Mitch North.

 

The 14th minute saw Chile Araneda break down the left side, but Darwin Lom was unable to find a shot inside the 18-yard box and Detroit was able to clear their lines without worry.

 

Christian Thierjung broke down the left in the 17th minute, but Lom was again snuffed out before able to get his shot off.

 

Detroit had the ball in the net less than a minute. A great cross from the Cal United left side found Detroit City forward Botello inside the 18, and his header was placed in the corner.

 

A response was needed immediately, but the goal gave Detroit City confidence and they saw an opportunity in the 23rd minute smartly blocked by North.

 

Thierjung and Lom connected again a couple minutes later, but the shot wasn't enough to create any problems.

 

The 30th minute saw Cal United Strikers best chance of the half as Kadono's cross was switched to Bowers. Bowers early cross found Chile inside the Detroit City box with space, but his shot was just wide.

 

Cal United Strikers was hoping to get one back before the break, but the worst happen just on the eve of halftime.

 

The 44th minute saw them lose the ball as they were pushing up the field, and smart play by Detroit City saw Rutz find the net.

 

 

 

Hogbin on the ball (left); Nuno taking a shot (right).

 

 

Half time saw head coach Don Ebert make changes across the board, with Kaemerle, Nuno, Klute, and Waldrep all coming on for Lom, Lopez, Kadono, and Araneda.

 

The second half saw a more energetic Cal United Strikers team step up, with 16-year-old Kaemerle providing a spark. But his cross in the 58th minute found the Detroit City keeper.

 

The 63rd minute saw keeper North called into action with two saves within seconds of each other from a Chattanooga corner and free kick.

 

Billy Garton Jr. was introduced to bring on more control in the midfield.

 

Unforunately, Detroit City found their third in the 68th minute, with Rodriguez finding space inside the six from a corner.

 

Cal United Strikers did not give up and in the 79th minute, defender Bryan De La Fuente saw two chances cleared off the line, which included a great stop by the Detroit City keeper.

 

The undefeated run at Championship Soccer Stadium may have ended, but the fans were amazing from start to finish, with another sellout crowd for thes second game in a row.

 

Fans can stay up-to-date on all club news through calunitedstrikers.com or by following the club on Twitter, Instagram or Facebook.