As the city of Detroit gears up for another Lions season that once again looks good on paper more so than anything else, there’s another Detroit football club actually getting results where it matters most.
Saturday night, in front of almost 7,500 at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramick, the Detroit City FC took down Liga MX club Altas FC 2-1.
Not only that, City never trailed in this game getting an early tally from Ryan Peterson in the 3′ minute of the first half. Atlas FC would later tie it up in the 18′ when Facundo Barcelo capitalized after City couldn’t alleviate the pressure in their own end.
However, it would be Yazeed Matthews‘ goal in the 58’ that ended up sending the dagger home for City while dispatching Atlas FC back to Liga MX completely shocked at what just happened.
Now I know the significance of this win may fly over the head of some who haven’t heard of Atlas FC or Liga MX in general, so I’ll do my best to put it in some perspective. Liga MX, the top tier league in Mexico is widely considered not only the best and most competitive league in Latin America but North America as well. That means it’s better than the much more notable MLS in the United States which I’m sure most if not all are familiar with. Furthermore that would put Liga MX right on par with other top tier leagues around the World like the Premier League in England, La Liga in Spain, Bundesliga in Germany and Serie A in Italy.
Anyways, Atlas FC is currently sixth in the Liga MX table which is well within the top half of that respective league.
Meanwhile, Detroit City FC just this past spring announced they would make the jump to the National Independent Soccer Association or the NISA which is considered the third tier in the United States professional soccer pyramid. This follows the USL Championship and Major League Soccer.
So how can we finally make a good comparison and make sense of this huge win for City last night?
We’ll use Ferris State University — a small, but notable college in the state of Michigan who I’m sure everyone is aware of. Currently the Bulldogs sit atop the Division II standings. In fact, they’re ranked second in the Division II AFCA coaches poll. Now imagine Ferris State scored a game to play the Iowa Hawkeyes in football and actually came away with the win. It would be one of the biggest upsets in college football history and something that would be headlining Sports Center the following morning.
Now perhaps that’s not the best example but that’s certainly within the ballpark of comparisons when it comes to illustrating what City was able to accomplish last night.
Unfortunately last night’s win for Detroit City FC won’t get the national attention it rightfully deserves, but in the least City should begin to get the notoriety they deserve in their own hometown. Which I believe they are certainly beginning to get since they are without a doubt the best professional team in Detroit and the state of Michigan.
