DETROIT, Michigan – For the third consecutive year, Detroit City Football Club is partnering with regional networks across Michigan to air live matches of their men’s and women’s sides. Detroit’s TV20 will continue as the team’s flagship station, airing at least 17 games, 8 of which will also air in Lansing on FOX 47.
The USL Championship announced earlier in the month that Detroit City FC will appear on a national ESPN broadcast at Keyworth Stadium, with the club’s July 19 match against Louisville City FC to air on ESPN 2.
In its first season in the USL, DCFC matches became a must-see event for supporters across the globe, drawing over 1.4 million viewers in 2022, ranking among the league leaders on both the men’s and women’s sides.
“As our club continues to evolve, we are excited to grow soccer in our community and region through broadcast. This year marks our biggest broadcast strategy ever, designed to reach our supporters in Michigan and beyond,” said T.J. Winfrey, Detroit City FC Chief of Partnerships. “When you look up and see our club with not only a sustainable local partnership with TV20 but also availability on ESPN networks, it is a testament to the on-the-pitch success and the community of supporters that have propelled Detroit City FC to represent our city and region on a global stage.”
Live USL Championship matches are available internationally through the league’s YouTube channel or on ESPN in Latin America and the Caribbean (including Mexico and Brazil).
Returning to the broadcast booth to call Detroit City FC matches will be two names familiar to Le Rouge faithful…
Neal Ruhl has been “The Voice of DCFC” since 2015 and was named Hour Detroit Magazine’s “Best of Detroit 2020” award winner for best sports play-by-play broadcaster in Detroit. He has also worked as the play-by-play voice for the Detroit Pistons, Chicago Bulls, Oakland Golden Grizzlies, and national soccer broadcasts for the USL and NWSL.
John Kreger returns for his seventh season in the color analyst’s role. He is also the play-by-play voice for Michigan State University Volleyball and several sports on the MHSAA Network. He has served as a host and correspondent covering soccer for talkSPORT radio in the United Kingdom and has covered the Detroit Lions for ESPN Radio and CBSSports.com.
Ruhl and Kreger will team up for all home USL Championship matches and one W League match, with the only current exception being the 4/1 men’s home match against the Rio Grande Valley FC Toros. Ruhl will also be the voice of Le Rouge for selected away USL Championship matches.
“During the club’s first year in USL Championship, our broadcast team made every DCFC match a must-see. Neal and John stand out in our region for their understanding of the game, our history on the pitch, and our club culture.’ said co-owner Alex Wright. “Additionally, on the women’s side, we look forward to introducing to our supporters a new voice in the booth.”
DCFC will release streaming details for the remaining five home women’s matches soon. Still, regardless of the platform, all five events will feature Veronica Bolanos on the play-by-play call.
Bolanos is an MSU student, graduating in May, and calls matches for the Michigan State University Men’s and Women’s soccer teams on BTN+. Joining Bolanos will be Jarrett Maki, the current Sports Information Director for Detroit City FC.
Detroit City FC Live, Locally Broadcast Matches in 2022 (all home matches at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, MI):
Mar 25: Detroit City FC Men vs Indy Eleven (Detroit and Lansing)
Apr 1: Detroit City FC Men vs Rio Grande Valley FC (Detroit)
Apr 8: Detroit City FC Men at Louisville City FC (Detroit and Lansing)
Apr 29: Detroit City FC Men vs Tampa Bay Rowdies (Detroit and Lansing)
May 6: Detroit City FC Men vs FC Tulsa (Detroit)
May 20: Detroit City FC Men vs San Antonio FC (Detroit)
Jun 9: Detroit City FC Women vs Midwest United FC (Detroit and Lansing)
Jun 24: Detroit City FC Men vs Orange County SC (Detroit and Lansing)
Jul 15: Detroit City FC Men at Pittsburgh Riverhounds (Detroit)
Jul 22: Detroit City FC Men vs Monterey Bay FC (Detroit)
Aug 12: Detroit City FC Men vs Charleston Battery (Detroit)
Aug 19: Detroit City FC Men vs Las Vegas Lights FC (Detroit and Lansing)
Sep 2: Detroit City FC Men vs Memphis 901 FC (Detroit)
Sep 9: Detroit City FC Men vs Miami FC (Detroit)
Sep 23: Detroit City FC Men vs Hartford Athletic (Detroit and Lansing)
Sep 30: Detroit City FC Men at Indy Eleven (Detroit)
Oct 14: Detroit City FC Men vs Pittsburgh Riverhounds (Detroit and Lansing)
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on Twitter and Facebook and @detroitcityfootballclub on Instagram.
##DCFC##
Please send all media inquiries to media@detcityfc.com.
Primary Media Contact: Jarrett Maki
(Sports Information Director, Jarrett.Maki@detcityfc.com)
