This is the second time this season Le Rouge will take the pitch in Florida, the first time being on May 18 against The Miami FC
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DETROIT, Michigan – After a bye week, Detroit City FC returns to play for the first time since July 23rd. Le Rouge will be traveling to the Sunshine State to play the Tampa Bay Rowdies at Al Lang Stadium at 7:30pm on Saturday August 6th. The match will be streamed live on ESPN+.
Last game out, City continued their five-match unbeaten streak with a 2-2 draw against New Mexico United at home, but it was a heart-breaking draw as New Mexico scored to tie the game deep into stoppage time of the second half. It was City who took the lead of the match in the 25’ on a penalty kick from midfielder Maxi Rodriguez. New Mexico then tied the game off of a brilliant free kick from forward Chris Wehen, just 5 minutes later.
Then, in the 62nd minute, Connor Rutz received the ball in space and began to maurade forward, waiting for the play to develop. He then spotted a run from defender Deklan Wynne and played an inch-perfect ball into the path of Wynne. The USL Championship Midseason Defender of the Year made no mistake and found the back of the net to give Detroit City the 2-1 lead. This lead would hold until the visitors equalized at the death through #7 Neco Brett who ensured the points would be shared.
Detroit City now has a record of 9-8-4, and are currently sitting in sixth place in the USL Championship Eastern Conference, just 11 points off of first place Louisville City. They are three points behind 5th place Birmingham Legion, with a game in hand.
Midfielder Maxi Rodriquez scored his fifth goal of the USL Championship season, which has him tied for second for goals on the team with forward Antoine Hoppenot. Rodriguez has also tallied two assists in league play. During the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup, Rodriguez also earned three goals and two assists. He has created 28 chances, good for second on the team. He was also named to the Team of the Week four times this season (Week 3, 7, 10, 20).
He sits in second place for all time goals in the DCFC Professional Era (2020-Present) with 13 goals, right behind forward Pato Botello Faz who has 15 goals. Rodriguez is also tied for second with four assists with Hoppenot, with only Botello Faz behind Deklan Wynne ahead with six assists.
This Saturday, DCFC arrives in Florida to play the Tampa Bay Rowdies, who are on a six-game win streak and a 12-game undefeated streak. Their last loss in the USL Championship League was on April 30th against San Diego Loyal. They currently sit in second place in the Eastern Conference with 45 points, with a record of 13-6-3.
The last time Le Rouge played in the Sunshine State, they looked really strong against Miami FC and held on to a 1-0 lead until the last kick of the game, when the hosting Miami FC equalized late to claim a point.
Midfielder Leo Fernandes leads the Rowdies and is currently tied for 3rd place in the league with 12 goals on the season. His five assists on the season has him tied for 15th in the league. Fernandes has created 34 chances and has him tied for 17th place in the league. Fernandes was named to the USL Championship League Team of the Week for weeks 16 and 20.
Forward Jake LaCava is right behind Fernandes with 10 goals on the season, good for a tie for 8th in the league. LaCava is also on the leaderboard with 35 shots, where he stands alone in 20th place. LaCava was also named to the Team of the Week for week 17.
Next weekend City is back at home against the Oakland Roots SC. The game will be at Keyworth Stadium on Saturday August 13th, with kickoff at 7:30pm.
Follow @DetroitCityFCM on Twitter for in-match updates. For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on Twitter and Facebook and @detroitcityfootballclub on Instagram.
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Primary Media Contact: Alex Wright (Co-Owner | Chief Creative Officer, alex.wright@detcityfc.com)
