Detroit City FC and Hartford Athletic played to a 1-1 draw Saturday night at Keyworth Stadium, as Le Rouge controlled the match statistically but saw a late lead erased in front of 6,472 supporters.
Detroit City remains third in the Eastern Conference following the result, maintaining its position in the race for a top-four finish and home-field advantage in the USL Championship Playoffs. However, after taking a 90’ + 5th-minute lead, Detroit City will view the draw as a missed opportunity to create additional distance in the tightly packed conference standings.
Le Rouge controlled possession and territory throughout the evening, holding a 73-27 advantage in possession while outshooting Hartford 23-6. Detroit also led the visitors in expected goals, 2.77 to 0.95, shots on target, 6-2, corners, 12-1, and touches inside the opposition’s box, 34-15.Despite DCFC’s sustained pressure, Hartford goalkeeper Enzo Carvalho made six saves to keep the visitors level for much of the night.
Detroit City found the breakthrough in the 95th minute through Maxi Rodriguez. Rodriguez led Le Rouge with five shots and matched Kobe Hernández-Foster with a team-high five chances created, eventually delivering a thrilling goal off a redirected shot from Alex Dalou, all but guaranteeing a Keyworth victory.
Right after scoring the goal, Rodriguez was subbed out for DCFC veteran Michael Bryant, making his 2026 debut after suffering an injury late in preseason play, drawing an extended ovation from the packed Keyworth crowd.
Hartford answered in the 90’ + 10th minute, however, as substitute Augi Williams scored the equalizer off a late penalty in the box attributed to Chisom Egbuchulam. The goal was one of only two shots on target for Hartford on the night. The game was called seconds later.
Detroit City FC Starting XI
Carlos Herrera; Tommy Silva, Callum Montgomery, Devon Amoo-Mensah (C), Haruki Yamazaki; Kobe Hernández-Foster, Abdoulaye Diop, Kian Williams, Maxi Rodriguez, Jeciel Cedeño; Ben Morris.
Detroit City FC Substitutions
Alex Dalou (Cedeño, 60’), Chisom Egbuchulam (Morris, 60’), Ryan Williams (Diop, 75’), Michael Bryant (Rodriguez, 96’).
Up next
Detroit City FC travels to the West Coast to take on Sacramento Republic FC. Kickoff is scheduled for Saturday, September 12 at 10:00 pm ET.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on X, Facebook, and @detroitcityfootballclub on Instagram.
Please send all media inquiries to media@detcityfc.com.
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