Detroit City FC vs Westchester SC
This 2025 season, we’ve made it one of our primary missions to cover as many US Open Cup games as possible. It’s the oldest and most historic competition in America, giving opportunities for lower-league teams to slay giants and for communities to be swept up in the excitement of what only a true open tournament can bring.
Welcome to Hell. Or heaven, depending on how you look at it. Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, Michigan, might just be the pinnacle of pure, dark, gritty American soccer. A thousand volts of all that’s good with the game on our shores. Loud, smoky, rough… real. A wonderfully diverse group of fans that have perfected the art of creating a welcoming environment for all those on their side and a viscious away trip for the visiting players who dare come into this fortress. Off the jump, it felt like entering an alternate reality. As kick off approached, and the sun slowly began to descend upon the ground, flares popped in the distance, fans pulled out their “Hell’s Hymnal,” and the stadium growled in devilish song. We were entranced. And so were the players, who danced and clawed their way to a hard-fought 3-1 win in the dying minutes of the game. It was spectacular. Funny that “America’s most hated supporters’ group” might also just be the most inspiring. Where else can you find an atmosphere that playfully hostile, magnetic, and electrifying? A true cauldron of soccer fervor that still has us in absolute awe.
This is what photographer Nicolas Polo had to say about the match:
What were some of the most notable things you saw in the stands or around the stadium in general?
The scenes in the stands were something special but then again, it’s always special at Keyworth. While several fans mentioned that the crowd was slightly smaller than usual, due to it being a midweek U.S. Open Cup game, it still gave a strong sense of what the atmosphere must be like during regular season home matches. As kickoff approached, the stadium was bathed in that golden pre-sunset light, and by the end of the first half, the sun had dipped below the horizon adding a dramatic blue touch to the night.
How did the club you were covering experience this game? How did the players react? What about the fans?
The Northern Guard Supporters (NGS) filled the air with chants from their “Hell’s Hymnal” for the entire 90 minutes. That was the soundtrack of the evening—unrelenting, passionate, loud. From young kids just getting into the game to longtime couples who have probably seen it all, every voice was in sync. You could feel the deep bond between the fans and the team. It wasn’t just support, it was a relationship built on love, passion, and shared identity.
From the fan side, the energy was intense but beautifully authentic. What struck me most was how unapologetically proud they were of their club, their city, and their identity. It’s a kind of pride you often see abroad. The unfiltered passion that delivers on the idea that your fans are your “twelfth player”. Although not all starters played due to it being an Open Cup match, they were clearly the more dominant side for much of the game. Once the goals started coming, the energy in the stadium leveled up.
What approach/mindset did you go with to cover this game?
My goal was to highlight the atmosphere of Keyworth. I’ve been here before, and it’s a place that stays with you. There’s an energy and intimacy to it that you don’t find in many other stadiums. So I left the long lens altogether and focused on a more documentary approach shooting with a wide-angle lens (35mm) on one hand and a medium format film camera on the other. I wanted to capture the candid moments, the emotion, and the portraits that really showcased the atmosphere.
What was your favorite thing about the night? Describe it for someone who wasn’t there.
The moment that stuck with me most happened during sunset while I was photographing the Northern Guard. As I composed my framed, I noticed something in the distance, some kids watching from outside the stadium. I realized that neighborhood kids from Hamtramck had climbed to the highest point in the playground just to catch a glimpse of the match over the stadium walls. Young boys and girls, completely locked into the game we all love. It was a perfect reminder of what makes Hamtramck, Keyworth Stadium, and the U.S. Open Cup so unique.
Why is the Open Cup important to you?
The U.S. Open Cup matters to me because it’s the most democratic competition in American soccer. It’s a platform where amateurs and professionals compete on the same stage, where talent and passion get their moment, regardless of league status. You get to witness players who work full-time jobs chasing the same dreams as the pros, playing with everything they’ve got. And because this country is so diverse geographically, culturally, linguistically, you really feel that melting pot come alive in the Open Cup. It’s raw, emotional, and beautifully American.
