ST. PETERSBURG, Fla. — A long shot two minutes from the end of regulation sank Detroit City FC on Saturday night, as the Tampa Bay Rowdies won 1-0 at Al Lang Stadium in St. Petersburg and wrapped up the USL Championship Players Shield.
Sebastian Cruz scored in the 88th minute from well beyond the 18-yard box. Tampa Bay only needed a tie to clinch the regular-season title against the second-place visitors.
Neither team put a shot on target in the first half. Detroit forward Darren Smith had the best early chance when he won the ball near the Tampa Bay box just before the break, but a heavy touch let it get away. In the 70th minute, a strike by Ates Diouf from the top of the box was tipped over the crossbar.
Detroit played without its regular keeper, Carlos Herrera, who was suspended after a red card in the previous match against Rhode Island FC. Carlos Saldaña started in his place. Le Rouge drew four yellow cards, three of them after halftime.
Detroit City FC is now 14-8-7 with 50 points, tied with the Charleston Battery for second in the Eastern Conference. The club closes the regular season next weekend at Louisville.
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