HAMTRAMCK, Mich. (Saturday, March 25, 2023) – The match-up between growing USL Championship rivals Indy Eleven at Detroit City FC proved to be as rowdy as expected at historic Keyworth Stadium. Bryam Rebellón will come home the a hero after his shot from outside the six-yard box resulted in the game’s lone, securing the a 1-0 victory over Le Rouge that marked the first win of the 2023 campaign for Indiana’s Team.
On an intensely windy day (30 mph, gusting to 40), it was difficult early-on for both teams to learn how to keep the ball on course. A patient, composed start set the tone early, and it was the visitors who seemed to deal better with keeping possession in the conditions. Eleven goalkeeper Yannik Oettl gained his first stop at 10 minutes as he got down low to smother a cross from DCFC’s first venture into the box. Connor Rutz for Detroit sent a shot-on-target through the net in the 12th minute but received a whistle offside to nullify the chance.
The first of many yellow cards for both teams was booked on Indy’s Younes Boudadi at 14 minutes after a diving attempt to beat Detroit to the ball got messy. This seemed to set the tone for the rest of the half, as just two minutes later, Le Rouge received their first yellow when Richard Ballard challenged Cam Lindley a little too late, sending him down. Then Solomon Asante went in the book at 21 minutes with a high boot in a 50-50 challenge with Matt Lewis. Adjusting, the Eleven attempted to switch up their angle of attack, venturing more towards the right-side to adapt to both the wind conditions and DCFC’s defense.
At 28 minutes, Detroit City goalkeeper Nate Steinwascher dove and made a low snare on a strong attempt by Aodhan Quinn. Shortly after was Douglas Martinez’s first yellow card for Indy after he walked away with the ball after a stoppage. The yellow haze didn’t let up as Detroit’s Yazeed Matthews sent Martinez down hard at 38 minutes, counting five yellow cards in the books in the first 40 minutes of the match, intensifying the tension at Keyworth. A strong attempt from DCFC’s Connor Rutz finished off the first half at 48 minutes, with a poke that bounced off the post and translated into a rebound shot, both deflected by Oettl, to keep the score at 0-0 heading into halftime.
Le Rouge entered back from half with another yellow booking this time on Reese Williams, much to captain Steve Carroll’s dismay. At 49 minutes, Quinn sent it dangerously close to the box on a beautiful service to midfielder Jack Blake, who sent a right-footed shot closely saved by Steinwascher. The Eleven were hungry for a goal after that close attempt, and Rebellon’s answer off a free kick came six minutes into the second half, with his goal straight through traffic settling inside the right corner of the net.
Douglas Martinez was increasingly aggressive this second half, stirring up quite a few fouls for the Le Rouge, not earning him any credit with the rowdy Detroit crowd. At 74 minutes, DCFC’s Matthews earned his consequential red card for his second yellow after a two-footed challenge on again, Martinez. Juan Tejada replaced Martinez later in the half and created a brilliant ball at 95 minutes on a counter where he sprung Asante, who drew a yellow card on Steve Carroll on the attack. The push for a goal continued to intensify for DCFC as time ran out, but once again Oettl pulled through for the Eleven with a last-minute tip save that allowed Indy to hand on to the victory.
Next up, Indy Eleven will kick off the home portion of its USL Championship campaign with its Carroll Stadium opener next Saturday, April 1. The Boys in Blue will welcome Las Vegas Lights FC for a 7:00 p.m. ET kickoff in the Circle City.
Single-game tickets for all home games at IUPUI Carroll Stadium along with 17-game Season Ticket Memberships, specially-priced group tickets, and an increased portfolio of hospitality options are available for purchase now via indyeleven.com/tickets or by calling 317-685-1100 during regular business hours (Mon.-Fri., 9:00 a.m.-5:00 p.m.)
USL Championship Regular Season
Detroit City FC 0: 1 Indy Eleven
Saturday, March 25, 2023
Keyworth Stadium – Hamtramck, Mich.
Indy Eleven: 1W-0L-1D, 4 pts.
Detroit City FC: 1W-2L-0D, 3 pts.
Scoring Summary:
IND – Bryam Rebellón (unassisted) 62’
Discipline Summary:
IND – Younes Boudadi (caution) 14’
DET – Richard Ballard (caution) 16’
IND – Soloman Asante (caution) 21’
IND – Douglas Martinez (caution) 33’
DET – Yazeed Matthews (caution) 39’
DET – Rhys Williams (caution) 48’, (red card) 74’
Indy Eleven line-up (3-4-3): Yannik Oettl; Bryam Rebellón, Jesus Vazquez, Adrian Diz Pe, Younes Boudadi; Cam Lindley, Aodhan Quinn (Harrison Robledo 87’), Jack Blake; Solomon Asante (Mechack Jerome 98’), Douglas Martinez (Juan Tejada 80’), Sebastian Guenzatti
Detroit City FC line-up (4-4-2): Nate Steinwascher; Stephen Carroll, Matt Lewis, Jalen Robinson (Abdoulaye Diop 76’), Michael Bryant; Maxi Rodriguez, Tommy McCabe, Connor Rutz, Richard Ballard (Skage Simonson 67’), Rhys Williams; Yazeed Matthews
