May 20, 2022 – United Soccer League Championship (USL) – Detroit City FC News Release
Detroit City FC huddle
(Detroit City FC)
DETROIT, Michigan – The Detroit City Football Club returns home to Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck on Saturday night to host Atlanta United 2. Kickoff on ESPN+ is set for 7:30 pm ET.
Le Rouge (6-3-2) comes home with a point from Miami FC after leading the match for 73 minutes thanks to forward Antoine Hoppenot’s fourth goal of the campaign – league leaders at six. Hoppenot has made 179 career appearances in the USL Championship and is one of just seven players to record 30 career goals and 30 career assists in league history. Hoppenot currently leads City – along with right back Rhys Williams – with three assists.
Saturday’s matchup between DCFC and Atlanta United 2 (2-0-7) is the second of the season. Le Rouge won the first meeting, 4-0, in Atlanta on April 9. City tallied three goals in the opening half with midfielder Michael Bryant adding a fourth in the 78th minute. The win was City’s first road victory in league play as members of the USL Championship and started a streak of three-straight league wins before falling at FC Tulsa, 3-1, on May 7.
Le Rouge’s roster features a pair of former Atlanta United 2 signees in Laye and Macky Diop. Both played for the side in 2020 and 2021. Laye returned to Detroit City ahead of 2022 – played for DCFC in 2019 – while Macky signed with Birmingham Legion. City announced a trade for Macky on April 27. The Diops combined for 56 appearances with Atlanta United 2 and nine goals.
Detroit City FC went 6-2-2 in its first 10 matches as members of the USL Championship, amassing 20 points which matches the Tampa Rowdies of 2017 for the best start in league history for a new member. Le Rouge’s +8 goal differential through the first 10 matches is tied with the 2019 New Mexico United side for the second-best mark to start a tenure in the USL Championship, with the 2017 Rowdies boasting a differential of +9….