Detroit City’s quick start to 2026 came to an abrupt halt with a 2-1 loss to the team they edged out for the final playoff spot in 2025. Indy XI took advantage of some inattentive defending to gain a measure of revenge for last year’s playoff ouster.
After a tight first half during which DCFC had much of the possession without finding a way through a packed defense and the imposing 6’5″ frame of goalkeeper Eric Dick, a lapse in concentration allowed Bruno Rondon to get behind the back line. He pulled a cross back from the goal line and Dylan Sing darted in between Devon Amoo-Mensah and Callum Montgomery to nod home the opening near halftime.
In theory, the goal should have galvanized the hosts, but it shocked DCFC into more urgency at the start of the second half. Kobe Hernandez-Foster, Haruki Yamazaki, and Ates Diouf all had shots in a spirited opening to the final forty-five minutes. Eventually, Hernandez-Foster provided the killer pass required to open up Indy’s stingy defense. After DCFC won possession in their own half, they comfortably circulated the ball before finding Hernandez-Foster midway between the penalty area and the center circle. Indy had drawn their defenders forward, leaving space in behind for Darren Smith. Hernandez-Foster sent a long ball over the top of the defense. Smith brought it down on his chest and coolly slotted the ball under Dick to level the score.
Sadly, parity didn’t last long. Again, it was a lapse of concentration five minutes later. Amoo-Mensah headed a lofted ball down and straight ahead instead of up and away. Indy’s Josh O’Brien won the second ball and found Bruno Rondon who fired a half volley into the top corner past Carlos Herrera. From there, DCFC huffed and puffed, but couldn’t find a way past Dick in the Indy goal. Last year, Dick ended DCFC’s season when he backstopped Pittsburgh to a playoff shutout and penalty kick victory over Le Rouge. He went on to win a playoff title with the Riverhounds. The Carmel, Indiana native returned home this year and will keep Indy XI in a lot of games.
DCFC looked like they were going to get off to another hot start after cruising past Brooklyn 3-0 in the home opener and then using a four-goal second half outburst to advance past the Michigan Rangers in the US Open Cup. Coach Danny Dichio may have to re-think his approach, so that the team can produce more goals. That Cup win has added another Michigan derby to the schedule. After hosting the undefeated Charleston Battery at Keyworth on Saturday afternoon, DCFC will take a midweek trip north on I-75 to meet the Flint City Bucks at Don Batchelor Field in Grand Blanc. That game will not be easy. The Bucks have a long track record of beating professional teams, including multiple MLS clubs. They beat USL League One side Forward Madison 2-0 in the first round and will relish a shot at Detroit City next week.
Pochettino Gathers Squad for Prestige Friendlies
The US national team has gathered to start the last camp before Mauricio Pochettino announces the roster Europe’s top teams in Belgium and Portugal in the Mercedes-Benz Stadium.
Both Belgium and Portugal will give the US a tough game. Even though the great Cristiano Ronaldo will not be available due to an injury, there will be a massive crowd to see the likes of Bruno Fernandes, Vitinha, Rafael Leao, Joao Felix give Pochettino’s team a thorough examination.
First up, though, will be Belgium on Saturday afternoon. This is not so much the Golden Generation of the 2010’s. Key players like Kevin DeBruyne and Romelu Lukaku are past 30 and have had injury-ravaged seasons. Star goalkeeper Thibaut Courtois is injured and will not play. There is a chance that Manchester United number one Senne Lammens could start. He has had a quietly solid first season in England. Manchester City’s Jeremy Doku will be a threat on the wings. Axel Witsel and Youri Thielemans will bring a veteran presence to midfield.
Pochettino will have to do without Tyler Adams, Haji Wright, Sergino Dest, and Diego Luna who are in various stages of recovery from injuries. However, the team will welcome the return of left back Antonee Robinson from a lengthy international absence. Striker Folarin Balogun comes into camp having scored seven goals in his last seven games for Monaco. Ricardo Pepi will provide some competition for the starting striker spot. Christian Pulisic, Weston McKennie, Tim Weah, and Chris Richards have also been included, emphasizing Pochettino’s serious approach to these two games.
Matt Freese of New York City FC has started the last twelve international games in goal. There’s no reason to expect a change, because none of the other candidates has done anything to prove they deserve the job. Matt Turner, Chris Brady, and Patrick Schulte have all been called into camp, but none are setting MLS alight with their play. Turner and Schulte find themselves near the bottom of the league for New England and Columbus. Freese has been the best of the lot but conceded three to Inter Miami last weekend. Brady and the Chicago Fire sit fifth in the Eastern Conference having given up five goals in five games. So, until one of the chasing pack, which includes Roman Celentano of FC Cincinnati who withdrew due to injury, takes a major step forward, it will be Freese in goal.
After Belgium moves on to Chicago to face Mexico, Portugal will arrive from Mexico to face the USA. Given the short turnaround for both teams, expect lineup changes as both Pochettino and Portugal’s Roberto Martinez assess the depth of their squads. Ronaldo’s absence will give Martinez an opportunity to look at Goncalo Ramos up front. The PSG striker is a more traditional number nine, physical, and adept in the air as well as with his feet. He also has a decision to make in goal where Diogo Costa, Jose Sa, and Rui Silva are battling for the top job. Portugal, with Ronaldo fit in June, will arrive in the US with legitimate hopes of making a deep run in the World Cup. They have more depth on their roster than the majority of teams. This will be a stern test for the Americans and a real measuring stick against one of the favorites.
