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DETROIT, Michigan – Detroit City Football Club (1-2-1) goes on the road after four-straight home matches to square off with Atlanta United 2 (2-0-3) on Saturday, April 9, at Fifth Third Bank Stadium in Kennesaw, Georgia. The match kicks off at 7:30 pm ET and will be available via stream at ESPN+.
Detroit City ended its homestand with a 3-0 victory over the Michigan Stars in the second round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup on Tuesday, April 5. Forward Connor Rutz – the reigning Black Arrow Award winner and the team’s goal leader in 2021 – notched his first of the year, placing a header off a midfielder Maxi Rodriguez corner kick into the back of the net in the 45’. Moments later, it was centerback Matt Lewis’ turn to head one home from a Rodriguez corner just before the halftime whistle. Lewis would later complete his brace off a volley played to him in the penalty area from Rutz.
Last time out in league play, Le Rouge battled Memphis 901 FC to a 1-1 draw at Keyworth. Memphis capitalized on a defensive miscue by City in the 28th minute to take an early lead before DCFC came out firing in the second half. Detroit City outshot Memphis 7-1 in the second 45 and it was forward Pato Botello Faz that leveled the scoreline with a strike in the 73rd minute from right back Rhys Williams.
Saturday marks the second-consecutive league match that DCFC matches up with the club one spot in front in the table. Last week, Memphis came in at No. 6 ahead of City at 7. This weekend features No. 7 Atlanta United 2 versus No. 8 Detroit City.
Le Rouge will look to get off to a quicker start on Saturday, as DCFC has conceded the first goal in three of four matches during league play. All three of Detroit City’s tallies have come in the second half.
Detroit City FC’s three goal allowed ranks sixth in the USL Championship (Louisville City at 1 GA, 4 teams at 2 GA). DCFC has not allowed multiple goals in a match this year and hasn’t since Nov. 20, 2021 at the Michigan Stars (W, 3-2). Under Trevor James, Detroit City has allowed more than one goal in a match just seven of the Gaffer’s 76 fixtures with the Club.
Midfielder Abdoulaye Diop has spent time in both club’s colors, having played the 2019 season with Detroit City while in the NPSL before signing with Atlanta United 2. Diop made 26 appearances and tallied one while in Atlanta from 2020-21 ahead of rejoining DCFC thi year.
Williams was named to the USL Championship’s Team of the Week as an honorable mention after his performance against Memphis 901. His assist against Memphis was Le Rouge’s first of the season, with the previous two goals coming unassisted. Against 901, Williams created four chances while winning 12 duels. He currently lands No. 19 on Fotmob’s top 100 players in the USL Championship. Williams leads the team in duels won with 44, including winning possession five times in the final third through four outings. He’s averaging 2.3 successful tackles per match while leading the squad in chances created.
Follow @DetroitCityFCM on Twitter for in-match updates. For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on Twitter and Facebook and @detroitcityfootballclub on Instagram.
