If Detroit City FC manager Danny Dichio hoped that a USL Jagermeister Cup game against the Portland Hearts of Pine would be the tonic for his team’s extended slump, the USL League One team dashed those hopes less than five minutes into last Saturday’s meeting. The lower division packed newly built Fitzpatrick Stadium to witness the biggest team to visit their club in its first season.
The hosts didn’t let their supporters down. Azaad Liadi capitalized on some lax defending to sprint through and beat Carlos Saldana to give Hearts the early lead they would never relinquish. Hearts had clearly seen how DCFC performed in the US Open Cup loss to Chicago. They employed a similar game-plan. While Le Rouge tried to slowly pass out of the back, Hearts brought a speedy press that forced numerous turnovers. DCFC simply could never figure out to play through the press. They were slow and ponderous on the ball, regularly playing themselves into confined spaces to the benefit of Hearts. That made the remainder of the first half a tough watch for the faithful fans at home.
Hearts of Pine are languishing in the bottom half of USL League One, but based on this showing could be primed for a move up the table. Goalkeeper Kashope Oladapo made a series of terrific saves, including two on Darrin Smith, to keep the hosts in front. Meanwhile, their ever dangerous counterattacks gave DCFC’s defenders fits. They exposed DCFC’s biggest weakness: a lack of speed in the spine of the team.
Dichio started Dominic Gasso and Jay Chapman as a dual pivot in front of the back three. They offered no resistance to Hearts’ pacy attackers, leaving the defenders and Saldana exposed time and again. Stephen Carroll returned to the starting lineup, but was repeatedly left behind by Liadi, Nathaniel James and several others. The absences of Michael Bryant and Rhys Williams weakened the right side beyond repair. Haruki Yamazaki looked uncomfortable at best in the right back spot and found little support from Jeciel Cedeno, who was duly replaced at halftime.
Ollie Wright doubled the Hearts’ lead before a half hour had been played. DCFC looked shell-shocked and woefully unprepared for the speed Hearts threw at them. While they rallied and forced the play the remainder of the half, nobody could get a shot past Olodapo.
How upset was Dichio with the first half? He made an unprecedented, for him, three changes at the break. Initially, those moves had the desired effect and DCFC forced Hearts to defend deep. Sebastien Guenzatti, one of the newcomers, pulled a goal back early on, but the defense just could not keep Hearts out. During a frantic last fifteen minutes, Hearts stretched the lead to 3-1, Darrin Smith finally finished one of his numerous chances to make it 3-2, and Mohamed Mohamed of Hearts finished the game with a fourth following a delightful backheeled pass from John Kamara.
This loss stings. DCFC had problems all over the field. The midfield lacks pace. The defenders were slow and left exposed. The forwards had plenty of chances but probably made it too easy on the opposing goalkeeper. DCFC had best hope that this was rock bottom, because they haven’t won a game since April. If they want to advance in the Jagermeister Cup, they will have to win at Hartford on June 28 and at home against Westchester SC on July 26. They might need some help, too, because the first tie-breaker is goals scored.
On Saturday night, DCFC returns to league play in Pittsburgh against the Riverhounds. Again, this is a team below DCFC in the standings, with only one win in their last five games. Le Rouge are rapidly approaching a must win scenario to turn around this winless run. The points dropped in May will haunt them later in the season when the playoff spots are decided, especially if they continue to struggle. The team has always been built on a rock solid defense and top goalkeeping. Both have failed to deliver over the past month and a half.
