**DETROIT —** Detroit City FC kicked off the 2025 Keyworth Stadium season with a 2-2 draw against Birmingham Legion FC on Saturday afternoon. Darren Smith would find the back of the net in the 20th minute to give Detroit the lead, but Birmingham would equalize off a deflected shot in the 27th minute. Ben Morris would quickly find a go-ahead goal in the 33rd minute, but late on in the game, a free kick for Birmingham would go into the box and off the head of Stephen Carroll to level the game at 2-2.
Head Coach Danny Dichio elected not to change the starting XI from the previous two weeks. Carlos Saldaña got the start in net for Detroit. Alex Villanueva, Stephen Carroll, Shane Wiedt, and Michael Bryant made up the defensive back line. The midfield consisted of Marcello Polisi, Jay Chapman, and Jeciel Cedeño. Ben Morris, Darren Smith, and Rhys Williams rounded out the starters.
Detroit City dominated the opening ten minutes of this match, but Le Rouge struggled to break through the Birmingham back line.
Detroit City finally got their opportunity in the 20th minute. Alex Villanueva sent a curling cross into the box, finding Darren Smith, who made magic with the ball and put it past the Birmingham keeper to give Detroit City the 1-0 lead.
But just as quickly as Detroit found the back of the net, momentum seemed to switch, and Birmingham became the ones going on the attack. Ronaldo Damus threw the ball into the box in the 27th minute, but the ball took a deflection and went in the opposite direction of goalkeeper Carlos Saldaña, leveling the game at 1-1.
Like with the opening goal, momentum swung again, and Detroit City was again on the attack. A ball was crossed into the box by Detroit City in the 33rd minute, finding Ben Morris, whose original shot was blocked by a Birmingham defender. Morris gained the rebound and put it into the back of the net, giving Detroit City the lead again.
Detroit City made one change at halftime as Morey Doner entered the match for Rhys Williams.
Ben Morris came close to giving Detroit a 3-1 lead in the 51st minute, as he had a one-on-one opportunity with the keeper, but Birmingham made a great save to send the ball out of play.
Detroit City elected for a double change in the 70th minute, as Ryan Williams and Jordan Adebayo-Smith entered the match for Jay Chapman and goalscorer Darren Smith.
Birmingham’s Sebastian Tregarthen was shown the match’s first yellow card in the 76th minute for a late tackle.
Mere moments later, in the 80th minute, a free kick was thrown into the box, and the ball deflected off of Stephen Carroll’s head and into the back of the net, leveling this match at 2-2.
Detroit City would make its final changes of the match in the 87th minute, as Connor Rutz and Sebastian Guenzatti entered the match for Jeciel Cedeño and goalscorer Ben Morris.
Detroit City and Birmingham Legion FC would share the points on the afternoon at historic Keyworth Stadium. Still, the draw would see Detroit City’s regular unbeaten run go to 12 matches, dating back to last season. The last loss for Le Rouge came back on August 24th against FC Tulsa.
Le Rouge head on the road next weekend to face Louisville City FC. Kickoff for that match is at 4:00 p.m. Detroit City returns to Keyworth in two weeks to face Monterey Bay FC. Kickoff is set for 4:00 p.m. Tickets for all Detroit City matches can be found at www.detcityfc.com/tickets.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on X and Facebook and @detroitcityfootballclub on Instagram.
**Detroit City Starting XI —** Carlos Saldaña, Alex Villanueva, Stephen Carroll, Shane Wiedt, Michael Bryant, Marcello Polisi, Jay Chapman (70’), Jeciel Cedeño (87’), Ben Morris (87’), Darren Smith (70’), Rhys Williams (46’)
**Detroit City Substitutes —** Connor Rutz (87’), Devon Amoo-Mensah, Ryan Williams (70’), Carlos Herrera, Sebasián Guenzatti (87’), Morey Doner (46’), Jordan Adebayo-Smith (70’)
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Primary Media Contact: Jarrett Maki (Sports Information Director, jarrett.maki@detcityfc.com)