Detroit City FC rallied for a 2-1 victory against Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at Weidner Field on Saturday evening, spoiling the banner celebration for the reigning USL Championship title-holders while claiming a second consecutive victory to start the 2025 campaign.

Here are three things we took away from the action.

1. LE ROUGE’S OPPORTUNISM PAID DIVIDENDS

As expected, this was a far more challenging test for Detroit City than its opening-night victory against Miami FC, but while the side had to deal with more pressure and be disciplined defensively, the visitors were able to make their mark through incisive upfield moves and opportunism from new striker Darren Smith that accounted for their first comeback win since last March against Indy Eleven.

A prolific scorer in Scandinavia before his arrival in Detroit, Smith showed off a poacher’s instinct to be quickest to react to a misplaced intercepting header by the Switchbacks’ Akeem Ward, allowing him to lift the ball over the advancing goalkeeper and into the net. The 28-year-old wasn’t consistently involved in Detroit’s build-up – he only recorded 20 touches and completed 9 of 11 passes – but he was active with three shots and his first goal. For a side that’s been challenged at times in attack over the past three years, it’s a promising start.

2. ALEX VILLANUEVA, YOSUKE HANYA’S DUEL WAS BOX OFFICE

Both Detroit City’s Alex Villanueva and Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC’s Yosuke Hanya have the potential for breakout seasons at their respective clubs, and the back-and-forth they had on Le Rouge’s left touchline was one each came out of with credit.

Hanya got the better of Villanueva on the Switchbacks’ opening goal with his nifty turn and burst of acceleration into the penalty area before his shot was blocked, only for Juan Tejada to bang home the rebound. Villanueva, however, played a key role in Detroit’s winner, providing the overlap and low cross that deflected in off a Switchbacks defender with Sebastian Guenzatti waiting to pounce.

Hanya ended the night with three shots and two chances created while completing 4 of 5 dribbles before he was substituted midway through the second half. Villanueva, meanwhile, didn’t get credit for an assist, but from left back he recorded one shot and three touches in Colorado Springs’ penalty area while putting in a creditable defensive display overall. Both will be worth watching closely this season.

3. CHARLIE ADAMS SET THE SWITCHBACKS’ TEMPO

Charlie Adams was a late arrival in preseason to Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC, acquired via transfer from Las Vegas Lights FC, but the veteran’s first start for his new club illustrated precisely why the Switchbacks went and got him. After a display in El Paso where the side’s midfield couldn’t keep the sort of possession that made the team successful a season ago, Adams’ presence helped the Switchbacks set the tempo and make the side look much more like itself.

Adams isn’t a flashy player, but his effectiveness was evident as he kept the ball moving quickly while allowing Zach Zandi – who had held his No. 6 role a week ago – to move into his more natural position going box-to-box. Adams completed 29 of 29 passes and won 2 of 2 tackles in his 57 minutes of action, working up to full fitness. He should be counted on to make a solid impact on the field and in the locker room for the defending title holders this year.