HAMTRAMCK, Mich. – Pato Botello Faz delivered a second-half equalizer as Detroit City FC rallied to earn a 1-1 draw against Memphis 901 FC before 4,127 fans at Keyworth Stadium on Saturday afternoon, denying Memphis Head Coach Ben Pirmann a winning return to his former club.

901 FC had the first serious chance in the 20th minute when Jeremy Kelly picked up possession on the left and dribbled centrally before his from 20 yards toward the right corner was saved by Detroit’s Nathan Steinwascher. A second driving run by Kelly through the DCFC defense set up the opening goal eight minutes later, as he slipped a pass for Phillip Goodrum inside the penalty area that the forward tucked home into the left corner.

Detroit’s chances were limited in the first half as Connor Rutz’s header wide of the left post proved its only real chance to level before the break. The hosts got another chance on the hour-mark when Deklan Wynne intercepted a loose pass in the Memphis half and unleashed a shot that 901 FC goalkeeper Trey Muse saved, and Muse was called on again for a sharp denial of Connor Rutz a minute later after a clever through-ball by Antoine Hoppenot before Maxi Rodriguez hit the crossbar with a header in a flurry of DCFC pressure.

The equalizer Detroit had been threatening arrived with 17 minutes to go on Botello Faz’s first goal of the season. The Mexican forward controlled a cross from the right by Rhys Williams and blistered a shot on the half-volley into the top-right corner from the top of the six-yard area. The hosts then went for the winner, and with five minutes to go Rutz tested Muse with a flicked header off a cross by Hoppenot from the top-left edge of the penalty area. Neither side could deliver a late winner, however, as honors ended even.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Rhys Williams, Detroit City FC – Williams provided an excellent cross for DCFC’s equalizer and was active throughout, winning 12 of 21 duels and 5 of 7 aerial duels in midfield while recording three tackles and five recoveries.

Scoring Summary
MEM – Phillip Goodrum (Jeremy Kelly) 28’
DET – Pato Botello Faz (Rhys Williams) 73’

Full Box Score