MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
BY DAN STICKRADT
COMMUNICATIONS SPECIALIST | WEB AND CONTENT EDITOR | DIRECTOR OF NEWS
PH: (248) 884-1051
TW/X: @msn_stickradt @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
HIGHLAND TWP., Mich. – Detroit United proved to have the flair for the dramatic.
United scored three unanswered goals late in the second half Saturday night at Milford High School and that was enough to turn a 3-2 deficit into a 5-3 victory over the Round Lake (Ill.) Evolution in a UPSL National Tournament Round of 32 match.
Detroit United advances to the Round of 16 against an undetermined opponent at a date, time and location next weekend.
After the Evolution went up 3-2 on a penalty kick goal by Gabriel Jhasmani-Uno in the 66th minute, Detroit United put the clamps down defensively and began to mount its comeback bid.
Round Lake (5-4-2) outshot Detroit 11-10 in the match, but United held a 8-6 edge with shots on frame. After Evolution’s third goal, Round Lake could only muster three total shots and just one shot on frame down the stretch.
Ebrima Jatta tied the game by heading in a close-range rebound from two years out in the 70th minute. Santiago Almada served a cornerkick into the goal mouth area with Augst Hunter getting his foot on the initial shot and Jatta pouncing on the rebound.
Hassan Alatooli set up the go-ahead goal, taking the ball down the right side, cutting inside before slotting the ball across the top of the box. Jhonnier Torres-Gonzales was near the left corner of the box in open space to take the shot and he blasted the ball into the back of the net for the 4-3 lead in the 80th minute.
Detroit United (10-0-2) was not finished. Hunter finished off his second goal of the game off a cross from Yan Jorge for an insurance tally in the 89th minute.
Joe Smith made three saves, including two in the second half, for Detroit United.
United controlled play for long stretches of the first half and took the 1-0 lead in the 23rd minute on its first shot on frame. Jordy Lopez converted his chance in the box to put home-standing United in the lead.
Round Lake Evolution came storming back with goals in the 40th and 43rd minutes to earn a 2-1 halftime advantage. Mauro Ruiz rifled home a slotted pass from Carson Belcher to tie the game at 1-1 and Belcher put his side up 2-1 at the break when he finished off a cross from Ruiz.
In the 50th minute, Hunter netted an equalizer off a service from Almada to even the score at 2-2 and set the stage for a wild final 40 minutes plus stoppage time.
Detroit United proved to be more opportunistic, scoring five goals on eight shots on frame. Detroit held a 6-5 shots edge in the second half and 6-3 with shots on frame during the second stanza.
United has now outscored its opposition 41-15 entering the next round of the postseason and are one of just a small group of teams still unbeaten on the 2024 UPSL Spring/Summer season.
MICHIGAN SOCCER NETWORK: MSN NEWS: www.michigansoccernetwork.com/msnnews
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer of teams or players with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com, or call 248-884-1051. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com.)
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