Michigan Soccer Network Broadcast Partner
E: steve@michigansoccernetwork.com
HAMTRAMCK, Mich. – Detroit City FC could not find the same magic in 2023 as in 2022.
After posting a third-round upset in the 2022 U.S. Lamar Hunt Open Cup a year ago, Minnesota United FC came in and stole away DCFC’s thunder with a 3-1 victory Tuesday night at Keyworth Stadium.
After falling behind 1-0 early in the first half, Minnesota United FC scored three unanswered second-half goals to advance to the fourth-round and end DCFC’s upset bid. The home-standing DCFC posted a rare upset in last year’s Open Cup after stunning Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer in a third-round matchup.
Not this time around.
Franco Fragapane, Emmanuel Iwe and Luis Amarilla scored in succession for the Loons – all within a six-minute span of the second half – to erase the one-goal deficit and rally past DCFC.
Yazeed Matthews took advantage of a Minnesota giveaway, picking off a pass and lacing a shot from the top of the box in the fifth minute that gave Detroit City its one-goal lead. DCFC withstood the pressure behind stellar play between the pipes from goalkeeper Nate Steinwascher for the remainder of the half and took the 1-0 advantage into halftime.
Fragapane finally tied the match for Minnesota United in the 60th-minute with a close-range goal, which more than awoke a sleeping giant with great vengeance on his mind.
Iwe scored three minutes later with a blooping shot into the upper webbing to put Minnesota ahead for good and Amarilla capped the scoring in the 66th-minute after volleying home a cornerkick.
With the win, Minnesota advances to the fourth round of the U.S. Open Cup and will find out later this week who will be its opponent in the Round of 32.
DCFC will face the Tampa Bay Rowdies of the Eastern Conference on April 29 at 4 p.m. The match streaming available is on ESPN-Plus, while tickets are available for Saturday's match at detcityfc.com/tickets.
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