Detroit City FC nabs first NPSL win on late Lawson goal

Detroit City FC left it late but talisman Shawn Lawson side-footed home the game's lone goal for a 1-0 victory over FC Columbus Friday before 5,644 fans at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck.

The victory was Le Rouge's first in National Premier Soccer League play this season. DCFC (1-0-1, 3 points) travels to FC Indiana on Sunday.

After a dreadful first 45 minutes, DCFC slowly took command in the second half. Roddy Green nearly put the home side ahead after Lawson's goalmouth cross found him at the far post in the 65th minute but the former Delta College forward squibbed the feed.

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Midfielder Danny Deakin's speculative attempt from outside the 18-yard box was easily saved by FC Columbus goalkeeper Brennon Davis in the 70th minute.

Columbus outshot Detroit 5-0 in the first half, which required the netminding acumen of DCFC's Fernando Pina and drew the ire of Le Rouge coach Ben Pirmann.

"I let them think about it and I said, 'Raise your hand if you think worked as hard as you could and not one guy raised their hand,'" said Pirmann during a postgame interview on the team's livestream.  "I said that's not what this club or this city is about."

"I got the tactics wrong and I may have picked the players wrong. I will take blame for certain stuff, but it's not right to disrespect the club and this game."

On the winning goal, Green lofted a cross from the right flank that found defender Seb Harris at the far post. Harris nodded the aerial ball across the goalmouth to Lawson, who volleyed home with his left instep.

"I was in the right place at the right time," said Lawson, who has six goals in all competitions this season.

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