HAMTRAMCK, Michigan – It was a wet, cold and windy home opener for the Detroit City Football Club versus the Charleston Battery on Saturday afternoon. In Le Rouge’s first home game as members of the USL Championship, DCFC claimed three points with a strike from forward Antoine Hoppenot in the 50th minute.
Detroit City came out of halftime generating pressure in the attacking third before midfielder Maxi Rodriguez was able to find a lane and send a shot on frame. It was turned aside but found the foot of Hoppenot for Le Rouge’s first-ever goal as members of the USL Championship – Hoppenot’s 32nd career tally in the league.
The first half ended in a scoreless tie. While most of the first half went back and forth between both teams, DCFC controlled the ball for 60% of the half. Only two yellow cards were handed out in the first 45 minutes, with both going to Battery players Aidan Apodaca (6′) and Matthew Sheldon (38′).
The game went into 4 minutes of stoppage time and it was at minute 92 that Detroit City goalkeeper Nate Steinwasher made a spectacular kick save on his first shot of the game to keep the score at 1-0. The play started with a clear by Battery goalie Joe Kuzminsky and then substitute Mauro Cicero was able to get in alone behind the City defenders with a clear shot on Steinwasher.
The game was physical from the start but escalated in the second half. There were a total of 29 fouls between both teams, with the Battery earning the majority with 18 and Le Rouge with 11.
While both DCFC and Charleston had 11 shots in total for the game, City placed with 3 shots on target while Charleston had their first and only shot on net late into stoppage time.
Today’s win is the first of the 2022 USL Championship season for DCFC, and moving to 1-0-1 on the young season. City is 7-3-1 all-time in home openers.
The Detroit City FC will be back in action at home on Saturday, March 26, versus the Pittsburgh Riverhounds. Kickoff at Keyworth Stadium is set for 4 pm on ESPN+ and locally on TV20.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on Twitter and Facebook and @detroitcityfootballclub on Instagram.
