Over 6,500 fans filed into Keyworth Stadium last Saturday for DCFC’s first of three straight at home. They took their time at the food trucks and merchandise store. The team reciprocated with an equally lackadaisical beginning. Missing three starters and having to fill the team sheet with two players from Detroit City II, coach Danny Dichio is running out of ideas and resources.
After losing to the worst team in the Western Conference, Le Rouge had hoped to rebound against the worst team in the Eastern Conference. They had edged past Hartford in a Jagermeister Cup game two weeks earlier, so DCFC would have expected to pick up three points at home. That plan went up in smoke after five minutes when Jonathan Jimenez pounced on a loose ball in the penalty area and fired past Carlos Saldana. All five defenders looked at each other wondering who was responsible.
With the home supporters barely into their second song, DCFC had to fight an uphill battle against a team determined to slow the game down at every opportunity. Every Hartford player delayed a throw-in, free kick, corner kick, or goal kick. Goalkeeper Antony Siaha drew the ire of the City faithful, but didn’t receive his well-earned yellow card until the 80th minute. The visitors then applied a crushing blow before the midway point of the first half when Michee Ngalina picked out Mamadou Dieng unmarked at the far post. Dieng easily headed the ball past Saldana to double the lead.
Dichio responded by sending midfielder Jeciel Cedeno to warm up. He jogged by himself or with other subs the remainder of the half, but no change came. DCFC’s midfield struggled to connect passes and penetrate an organized defense. Cedeno’s ability to work in tight spaces might have been a better option than Haruki Yamazaki. Yamazaki wasn’t up to the physical challenges in midfield and misplaced numerous passes. Abdoulaye Diop played in Cedeno’s usual spot close to striker Darrin Smith, but made little impact.
Smith cut a frustrated figure much of the match. He isn’t a big center forward who will battle the large center backs in the Championship. He likes to move into spaces between defenders and look for through balls. He frequently waved his arms in exasperation over service that didn’t arrive. Dichio finally pulled him after seventy-three minutes. By that time, Smith had made one superb play to set up DCFC’s only goal. He broke away with Ates Diouf after the defenders cleared a dangerous throw-in. Diouf played Smith in, but Siaha closed the angle quickly. Smith backheeled the ball, giving Diouf an open goal to cut Hartford’s lead to 2-1 before halftime.
DCFC battled against Hartford’s delaying tactics for the entire second half, but mustered few dangerous opportunities going forward. The highlight of the second half came when Carlos Saldana saved a penalty kick from Michee Ngalina. That brought the crowd alive briefly. Cedeno and Connor Rutz came on to boost the attack, but the absence of forward Ben Morris will haunt this goal-starved team the rest of the season.
The back three clearly misses captain Stephen Carroll, who is not due back until the end of August at the earliest. Devon Amoo- Mensah, Shane Wiedt, and Michael Bryant made a big contribution to DCFC’s 69% possession, but most of that was passing among themselves without any penetration. Hard-working Matt Sheldon started at the right wing back spot, but doesn’t have the pace of the injured Rhys Williams to trouble many defenders. Left wing back Alex Villanueva has had decreasing effectiveness in attack and is frequently out of position in defense.
Dichio is married to playing the ball out of the back slowly. The slow buildup invites pressure. Hartford started three speedy forwards who forced turnovers and errant passes. City’s lack of team speed stands out against high-pressing teams. They just aren’t quick enough making decisions and moving the ball. The midfield couldn’t receive the ball from the defenders, turn, and progress the ball into attack with any regularity.
Detroit City had the edge in many statistical categories against Hartford, but never looked like winning. They led in possession, duels success in the air and on the ground, corner kicks, passing accuracy, and several more. They just didn’t force Siaha into many difficult saves.
Losing to two of the worst teams in the Championship back-to-back makes Friday night’s nationally televised home game against the Pittsburgh Riverhounds (ESPN2 7:30pmn) a desperate affair. Pittsburgh has jumped over DCFC in the standings as City has fallen to seventh in the Eastern Conference. The team still only has one league win since the end of April. Whether it’s a formation change, selection change, or even more radically a coaching change, something has to happen to stop the rot.
