August 3, 2024 – United Soccer League Championship (USL)
Rhode Island FC News Release
Rhode Island FC battles Detroit City FC
(Rhode Island FC)
Hamtramck, MI – Rhode Island FC extended its historic unbeaten streak to eight matches on Saturday when the club came back from behind to earn a vital point in dramatic fashion, battling to a 1-1 draw with Detroit City FC at Keyworth Stadium. After Detroit broke the deadlock late in the second half, Clay Holstad was the hero for RIFC with a beautiful strike in stoppage time to prevent Detroit from securing a season sweep over the Ocean State club.
The hosts were the first to threaten Rhode Island FC’s (6W-4L-11D) defensive unit just three minutes into the match, when forward Elvis Amoh collected a pass in behind the back line and fired a low shot on goal from inside the 18-yard box. Koke Vegas was equal to the powerful effort, however, denying the close-range shot with an outstretched arm to keep the match scoreless.
Moving down the other end just five minutes later, RIFC forward JJ Williams executed a smooth turn to beat his defender on the left wing and craft RIFC’s first chance of the afternoon. Making his way into the box and unleashing a shot from the right side, Williams’ effort was eventually palmed away by Detroit City FC (8W-7L-5D) goalkeeper Nathan Steinwascher, who also collected the ensuing rebound to keep the Ocean State club out.
Williams had another strong opportunity in the 23rd minute, meeting Noah Fuson’s cross in the middle of the box. After making a run into open space, the striker got on the end of the cross and laced a one-time shot that was blocked by a defender at the goalmouth.
Three minutes before the halftime whistle, Stephen Turnbull and Fuson linked up in a quick passing sequence that launched Turnbull into a one-on-one chance with Steinwascher. Entering the box with pace, Turnbull narrowly dragged a low shot wide of the far post. Minutes later, in first-half stoppage time, a loose ball header by Albert Dikwa “Chico” was once again denied by a defensive play at the goalmouth as the two clubs went into the halftime break scoreless.
Despite an active first half in the attack, both teams struggled to find the breakthrough as the match wore on. Detroit came within inches of the opening goal in the 74th minute, when Maxi Rodríguez connected with a dangerous cross and attempted a backheel flick towards the goal before nailing the rebound against the crossbar from the edge of the six-yard…