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Detroit City FC's upset win in US Open Cup sets social media ablaze with celebration

jared ramsey, detroit free press
·4 min read

Detroit City FC notched another win over top flight competition late Tuesday night.

DCFC rallied to knock off the Houston Dynamo of the MLS in an 11-round penalty shootout to advance to the Round of 16 in the U.S. Open Cup.

The Dynamo, the reigning U.S. Cup champions, jumped out to a 2-0 lead, but Le Rouge rallied to tie the game at 2, including a world-class goal from Ryan Williams at the end of the first half, by the 75th minute. Both teams added a goal in the final minutes of regulation before a scoreless extra time, setting up the marathon of penalties and positioning goalkeeper Carlos Saldaña to become the hero of the night.

Houston had a 4-3 edge in the penalty kicks entering the fifth round, but Saldaña parried Ibrahim Aliyu's attempt while DCFC's Michael Bryant converted to bring the score level at four and force more penalties. The teams each made the next five kicks, bringing the kickers up in the 11th round. Houston’s Andrew Tarbell went first but sailed his kick over the net, setting up Saldaña for the winner. He kept it low and straight, putting it right under Tarbell for the winner.

Detroit City FC defender Stephen Carroll (5) and goalkeeper Carlos Saldana (91) react after a penalty kick against Houston Dynamo FC at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
Detroit City FC defender Stephen Carroll (5) and goalkeeper Carlos Saldana (91) react after a penalty kick against Houston Dynamo FC at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

DCFC advanced to the Round of 16 in the U.S. Open Cup for the first time in club history with the win, previously reaching the Round of 32 in 2022 when they secured their other win over an MLS side, the Columbus Crew. Detroit's soccer team is now 2-1 all-time against MLS teams with wins over the Crew and Dynamo while losing to Minnesota United in the 2023 Open Cup.

DCFC now awaits the winner of Indy Eleven vs. San Antonio FC on Wednesday night to find out who they will play in the Round of 16 on May 21 or 22.

The Le Rouge fanbase erupted into celebration after Tuesday's monumental win, celebrating the historic depth of the cup run and taking down another MLS team to boast a winning record against the top U.S. league.

Here's Williams' goal that belongs on every top highlight list for the week, the month of May and across 2024.

Detroit City FC midfielder Ryan Williams (4) reacts after scoring a goal during the first half against Houston Dynamo FC at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.
Detroit City FC midfielder Ryan Williams (4) reacts after scoring a goal during the first half against Houston Dynamo FC at Shell Energy Stadium in Houston on Tuesday, May 7, 2024.

This article originally appeared on Detroit Free Press: Detroit City FC celebrated for upset US Open Cup win over MLS team