DETROIT, Michigan – Detroit City FC has announced a mutual parting with midfielder Vincenzo Candela as he will look to pursue other opportunities. It is an amicable split and the club wishes Vincenzo well going forward.
Candela joined the club after earning a contract following a successful trial with Detroit City FC in the pre-season, having already played in the USL for Charleston in the USL Championship and the Richmond Kickers and South Georgia Tormenta FC in USL League One.
This USL experience, alongside many seasons of experience abroad, made Candela a veteran amongst the squad.
Candela made one appearance for Detroit City FC this season, starting against Gold Star FC in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and playing 45 minutes in Detroit City FC’s 1-0 win over the NISA opponent.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
JUNE 26 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC has announced a mutual parting with midfielder Cy Goddard as he will look to pursue other opportunities. It is an amicable split and the club wishes Cy well going forward.
Goddard, a Tottenham Hotspur Youth Academy product, joined the club in late July of 2022 and made seven appearances while starting twice at the tail end of last season. During this time Goddard completed 73.1% of his passes and registered an assist.
This season saw Goddard start the opening match against San Diego Loyal SC. This would be his only start of the year and he would make four more appearances, totaling 80 minutes of play.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
MARCH 29 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC has announced the signing of defender Oniel Fisher on a two-year contract with 2023 guaranteed and an option in place for the 2024 season. Fisher will wear #91.
Fisher comes to Detroit with plenty of experience in the professional game at the club and international stages. Fisher began his career with the Jamaican club St. Georges SC before moving to the United States to play college soccer. The Seattle Sounders selected him in the Second Round of the 2015 MLS Super Draft.
He spent three seasons with the Sounders, making over 40 appearances for their MLS side, and was part of their championship-winning squad in 2016. During his time in Seattle, he also made 23 appearances on loan in the USL Championship for the Tacoma Defiance, recording two assists in 1,857 minutes of action.
Following his stint at the Seattle Sounders, Fisher would stay in Major League Soccer, this time signing with DC United in 2018. He would make 24 appearances in 2018 for DC United, starting in 20 matches and amassing 1,832 minutes played. His 2018 season would end tragically in September after a collision with teammate Bill Hamid in September of that year would sideline him with a knee injury. He was out for a total of 16 months after picking up an additional hamstring injury while his recovery process was ongoing.
He came back for DC United in 2020, making 15 appearances totaling 678 minutes of game time.
Fisher would then spend 2021 with the LA Galaxy, contributing to 12 matches with five starts before moving on to Minnesota United for 2022 where he would appear in 11 matches, starting six.
He’s also made 25 appearances for the Jamaican Men’s National Team at the senior level, making his debut in 2010. This includes appearances as Jamaica attempted to qualify for the 2022 World Cup. He scored his first and only international goal with Jamaica in a 2-0 win over Honduras in October of 2021.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
MARCH 23 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC has announced the signing of trialist midfielder Vincenzo Candela on a two-year contract with 2023 guaranteed and an option in place for the 2024 season.
Candela will wear #99 this season.
Born in Bogota, Colombia, Candela began his youth career at Real S.C., a Portuguese club in the city of Queluz, which now competes in the Portuguese Liga 3. From there he would bounce around Europe for a little, making stops in Germany at Alemannia Aachen and in Belgium with K.A.S. Eupen.
Following his stint in Europe, Candela would return to the Americas, eventually signing with the Charleston Battery of the USL in 2018. He would make 45 appearances, starting in 39 matches between 2018 and 2019, scoring once while picking up four assists.
Following a successful 2019 season, Candela joined the New York Cosmos for 2020, a season severely impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. Candela started and played all 90’ against Detroit City FC on 9/9/2020 in a 0-0 draw during the truncated NISA season that took place before the 2020 NISA Fall Championship.
After his time with the Cosmos came to an end, Candela was back in the USL, this time in League One with South Georgia Tormenta FC for the 2021 season. He appeared in 20 matches, starting seven to tally 832 minutes of play. 2022 saw him on the move yet again, he would stay in League One, this time joining up with the Richmond Kickers. Candela would see action in 16 matches, totaling 652 minutes of play.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
MARCH 9 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC has announced the signing of forward Barnabas ‘Bosh’ Tanyi on a USL Academy contract ahead of the 2023 season.
A 20-year-old originally from Debrecen, Hungary, played his high school soccer at Grosse Ile High School under the leadership of former Detroit City FC player and current youth coach Jon Evans.
He was part of two state-title-winning squads at Grosse Ile and won Michigan’s most prestigious High School soccer award, Mr. Soccer.
Tanyi was a mainstay of the 2021 Detroit City FC U23 squad that won the Eastern Conference of the Midwest Premier League and was part of the 2022 USL Academy Cup squad that competed in Tampa, Florida.
Last season Tanyi made six appearances in the USL Championship for Detroit City FC, totalling 52 minutes of play. He is the second player signed to an academy contract for Le Rouge this season following the signing of Dominic Gasso.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on Twitter and Facebook and @detroitcityfootballclub on Instagram.
MARCH 9 ROSTER UPDATE
Midfielder Tommy McCabe joins Detroit City FC on a two-year contract that will see him in the Rouge and Gold for 2023 with an option in place for the 2024 season.
McCabe, age 24, was selected 29th in the 2019 MLS SuperDraft by FC Cincinnati, signing a deal with them in February 2019. Shortly after, to gain experience and game time at a professional level, McCabe was loaned to North Carolina FC on a season-long loan. After making 9 appearances for North Carolina FC, McCabe was recalled to FC Cincinnati.
After returning to FC Cincinnati, McCabe would make seven appearances for the MLS side, starting twice in the remainder of 2019 and the beginning of 2020. In August 2020, McCabe was once again loaned to the USL, this time with Memphis 901 FC where he would make seven starts in the Bluff City.
McCabe was released from FC Cincinnati at the conclusion of the 2020 season but was quickly signed up by Orange County FC of the USL Championship’s Western Conference. He made 31 appearances, starting 21 times, and saw 1,886 minutes of action in the team that went on to win the USL Championship Playoffs in the 2021 season. In 2022, McCabe was limited to only 962 minutes of game time, making 24 appearances for Orange County FC.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
MARCH 6 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC announced the signing of goalkeeper Ryan Shellow on a one-year contract that will see him back with Le Rouge for the 2023 season.
Shellow, formerly of FC Tucson, first joined the club ahead of its inaugural season in the USL Championship and was always ready to be called upon to step in for club legend Nate Steinwascher if needed. Shellow would be called into action for Le Rouge’s away match to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks of the Western Conference, a match which was huge at the time for Detroit City FC’s chances of hosting a playoff match. He more than lived up to the occasion.
Detroit City FC defeated the Colorado Springs Switchbacks by a score of 2-1 thanks to a handful of great saves by Shellow, it was his first ever professional match. He was named the Man of the Match for his performance between the posts and went on to win the USL Championship Save of the Week for Week 27.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
FEBRUARY 15 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC has announced the signing of forward Ben Morris on a two-year contract that will see him in Rouge and Gold in 2023 with an option in place for the 2024 season.
Morris, aged 23, is a product of the Ipswich Town academy, signing his first deal with their academy at the age of 16 and would shortly after sign his first professional contract at the age of 17, again with the club that brought him up.
The Ipswich Town academy also began and nurtured the career of Detroit City FC General Manager and Head Coach Trevor James.
Morris’ talent was noticed by the youth levels of the English National Team, making seven appearances at the U17 level, scoring once, before being called up to the U19s where he would make one appearance.
Morris would make his first-team debut for Ipswich Town at the age of 18, appearing in a EFL Cup tie against English Premier League mainstays Crystal Palace FC. He would be involved in Ipswich’s only goal in the 2-1 loss. From there, Morris made his league debut two months later, first as a substitute against Hull City. Morris would then start his first match in the Championship, England’s second division, against the historic Nottingham Forest. All at age 18.
From there, Morris would be sent out on loan to Forest Green Rovers who were in the EFL League Two at the time, two divisions below the Championship. Morris would score one goal for Forest Green in only four appearances.
Morris would then go through a spell of unfortunate injuries which kept a lid on his clever forward play, his lethal finishing in front of goal and kept him off of the pitch.
He spent last season on loan from Ipswich Town with GAIS of the Swedish Third Division, helping them win promotion to the Superetten. Morris scored four goals and registering a handful of assists in their promotion campaign.
Most recently, Morris appeared for Ipswich Town’s U21 side in the Professional Development League on January 27, 2023, scoring two goals in Ipswich’s 4-2 win against Colchester United’s U21 side.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
FEBRUARY 8 ROSTER UPDATE
Today Detroit City FC has announced the signing of defender Dominic Gasso on a USL Academy contract ahead of the 2023 season.
A 19-year-old native of Grand Blanc, Mich., Gasso has previously competed last year for Le Rouge’s Academy team at the USL Academy Cup in March. He had previously competed for Vardar Academy and the Flint City Bucks Academy before joining the Detroit City FC U19 Boys Academy team.
Last season Gasso appeared in two matches in the USL Championship for Detroit City FC, making his professional debut away to the Charleston Battery in Le Rouge’s 3-0 win on August 27. He made his second appearance on the road in Detroit City FC’s 4-0 win against Loudoun United FC in Le Rouge’s penultimate match of the regular season where he saw 14 minutes of play.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
FEBRUARY 4 ROSTER UPDATE
Today Detroit City FC has announced the return of midfielder Cy Goddard ahead of the 2023 season.
Goddard signed for Detroit City FC towards the end of the summer months last season and made his debut for the club on September 10 in the 2-1 win on the road to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.
In total Goddard would go on to make six appearances, starting twice to total 153 minutes of play. Goddard picked up his first goal contribution for the club in the 4-0 win at Loudoun United, notching the assist on Yazeed Matthews’ opening goal from outside of the box.
Goddard, age 25, is from London, England. He began his career in the youth academy of Premier League powerhouse Tottenham Hotspur, suiting up for their academy sides for five years, developing his game at the Under-18 and Under-21 levels. He then represented the country of Japan at the international level, making eight appearances for the Japan Under-16s, scoring two goals in 2013-2014.
Following his five years at Tottenham Hotspur, Goddard moved on to Serie B side Benevento Calcio in August 2018 on a three-year deal. Benevento then loaned him to Pafos, a club in the Cypriot First Division. There, he made eight appearances for Pafos before the league abandoned the season due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After returning to Italy, Benevento Calcio loaned Goddard to Mumbai City of the Indian Super League on a year-long loan deal. In his season at Mumbai City, Goddard started in 11 matches and played 18, which tallied up to 1,075 minutes of action. He contributed to a side that won the double that season, winning the league play-offs and the League Winners Shield.
In August of 2021, he signed a deal with the Central Coast Mariners of the Australian A-League. Last season for the Mariners, he appeared in 20 matches, starting 12 while also picking up one goal and three assists on the seaside.
The club can also confirm today that Richard Foster, who joined Le Rouge in the second half of the 2022 season in a player/coach role, will not be returning to Le Rouge ahead of the 2023 campaign.
Please send all media inquiries to media@detcityfc.com
Primary Media Contact: Jarrett Maki (Sports Information Director, jarrett.maki@detcityfc.com)
FEBRUARY 3 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC has announced the signing of defender Jalen Robinson on a two-year contract that will see him in Rouge and Gold in 2023 with an option in place for the 2024 season.
Robinson grew up in the greater Washington, D.C. area, playing for Bethesda SC in Maryland, and continued on to join the DC United Youth Academy in 2009, where he would stay until 2012. During his time as part of the DC United Academy, he would make five appearances for the United States U18 side.
From there, Robinson opted to attend and play for the Wake Forest University Demon Deacons, he was a two-year starter for Wake Forest where he would play in 36 matches. Robinson was named to the All ACC-Second Team in 2013.
Following his two-year stint playing in the ACC, Robinson returned to D.C. and signed a homegrown professional contract with DC United in January 2014. Shortly after signing, Robinson was then loaned out to their USL Pro affiliate, the Richmond Kickers.
His stint in Richmond was short and he did not see much game time, only appearing in one match. Because of this, DC United recalled him and sent him on loan to Arizona United, also of USL Pro, for the remainder of 2014 where he would start 10 matches, appearing in 14.
Robinson would then return to the Richmond Kickers where he would make 17 appearances in this, his second stint, starting in all 17 before returning to DC United where he appeared in 26 matches for the first team, starting 19 between the years 2016 and 2019.
Robinson is no stranger to the Eastern Conference of the USL Championship, in 2021 he joined the Pittsburgh Riverhounds and saw 943 minutes of game time, starting 11 matches. Last season Robinson was a crucial part of the Loudoun United squad, starting 21 matches and seeing 1,959 minutes of action.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
JANUARY 19 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC has announced the signing of midfielder Adrian Billhardt on a two-year contract that will see him in Rouge and Gold in 2023 with an option in place for the 2024 season.
Billhardt, age 25, most recently played for South Georgia Tormenta and was part of their 2022 title-winning side in USL League One.
Billhardt spent the majority of his youth career at BFC Dynamo and Union Berlin, both based in his hometown of Berlin, Germany, before committing to play college soccer at the University of South Florida.
While Billhardt was at the University of South Florida he would go on to appear in over 40 matches. In the summer of 2019, he played for South Georgia Tormenta 2 which competed in the amateur USL League Two before signing his first professional contract in February of 2021 for South Georgia Tormenta’s first team which competes in USL League One.
His first season in USL League One was cut short very early due to a season-ending injury that would see him on the sidelines until early in the 2022 season—only seeing 211 minutes in four matches before going down injured.
2022 was a breakout year for Billhardt who would go on to play in 30 matches, starting 25 with a return of five goals and five assists in 2,031 minutes of play. His heroics on the field not only helped South Georgia Tormenta win their first-ever title but also earned Billhardt the USL League One Comeback Player of the Year honor.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
JANUARY 10 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC has announced the signing of midfielder Richard Ballard on a two-year contract that will see him in Rouge and Gold in 2023 with an option in place for the 2024 season.
Ballard, age 28, is from Louisville, Kentucky, and has played in the USL since 2017, first making an appearance in the league with his hometown club Louisville City FC. He was Louisville City FC’s first-ever hometown player signed to a professional contract.
In 2017 Ballard appeared in 27 matches, making six starts. In his 2017 season, Ballard scored three goals and registered five assists in 961 minutes of play – coming out to a goal contribution every 120 minutes.
After spending 2018 and 2019 at Louisville City FC, Ballard moved on to The Miami FC of the Eastern Conference, where he would spend the 2021 and 2022 seasons. In these two seasons, Ballard would see 1,481 minutes of play in these two seasons while appearing in 32 matches, starting 16.
He registered one assist in last year’s USL Championship campaign, which came against Detroit City FC in the season finale at Keyworth Stadium in The Miami FC’s 1-0 win.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
JANUARY 3 ROSTER UPDATE
It was announced that defender Deklan Wynne would be joining the Charleston Battery ahead of the 2023 USL Championship season.
In 2022 Wynne became a crucial part of the Detroit City FC roster, scoring three goals and registering seven assists throughout the course of the season. He ranked second in assists only behind Antoine Hoppenot who led the league with 11.
Wynne played 2,940 minutes in the league for Le Rouge last season, the second most on the team only behind goalkeeper Nate Steinwascher. Wynne appeared in and started in 33 matches and only missed out on matches due to being called up to the New Zealand National Team for a set of friendlies against Australia in late September. This was his first stint with the national team in nearly four years.
“Thank you Detroit, I will always cherish the love and support I felt from the club throughout the 2022 season and look forward to returning to play at Keyworth in the future,” said Wynne.
Le Rouge thanks Deklan Wynne for his dedication and commitment to the club in making 2022 a memorable inaugural season in the USL Championship and the club wishes him the best in Charleston.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
JANUARY 2 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC announced the return of goalkeeper Nate Steinwascher on a two-year contract that guarantees Steinwascher in the Rouge and Gold for 2023 with an option in place for 2024.
Steinwascher made his debut for Detroit City FC in 2016, away to Louisville City FC in the US Open Cup. Since then Steinwascher has appeared for the club in every season. Coming up with Le Rouge through the ranks of US Soccer.
In Detroit City FC’s professional era (2020-present), Steinwascher sits third in minutes (5,913) and is tied for second in starts (67).
In the USL Championship last season, Steinwascher boasted a 75.2% save percentage which was good enough for 3rd best in the league. He would go on to contribute to 12 clean sheets, rank 4th in saves made and was nominated for the USL Championship Save of the Week on eight occasions. Steinwascher also won the USL Championship Save of the Month award for his penalty kick save on the road to San Antonio FC.
As a reward for his stellar performance throughout the course of the season, Steinwascher was voted as the 2022 Black Arrow MVP award winner, further etching his place in club history.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
DECEMBER 13 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC has announced the signing of Norwegian midfielder Skage Simonsen on a guaranteed two-year contract that will see him in Rouge and Gold through the 2024 season.
Simonsen, age 24, is from Grimstad, Norway and played his trade in his home country before coming stateside ahead of the 2018 collegiate season to suit up for St. John’s University in New York City. He played well over the course of two seasons at St. Johns, scoring nine goals in 38 appearances before moving on to Southern Methodist University.
At SMU, Simonsen would appear in 27 matches for the Mustangs, scoring 10 goals in two seasons.
His impressive showings at SMU would lead DC United to select them in the 2022 MLS SuperDraft. He was selected in the third round with the 69th pick. He would go on to score for DC United in an International Friendly against European powerhouse Bayern Munich.
Most of his play in 2022 was at DC United’s USL affiliate Loudoun United FC who played in the USL Championship this past season. For Loudoun this past season, Simonsen appeared in 1,779 minutes of play, registering seven assists and scoring two goals. He led Loudoun in assists and chances created (34).
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
DECEMBER 12 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC has announced the return of midfielder Michael Bryant as the club has triggered his one-year option that was in place when his deal was signed ahead of the 2022 USL Championship season.
Bryant first joined Le Rouge ahead of the 2022 season following a successful stint at the California United Strikers of the National Independent Soccer Association. It did not take long for Bryant to become a fan favorite due to his versatility across all areas of the pitch.
In 2022 he appeared in 31 league matches, starting 25 to total 2,315 minutes of play. He would go on to tally 14 blocks (3rd highest on the team), 46 interceptions (4th highest on the team) and have a long pass accuracy of 54.3% (3rd highest on the team).
Due to injuries in the squad over the course of the season, Bryant was asked to play many different roles to help out the team. Oftentimes this meant playing as a center back in a back-three. With that being said he would still go on to score four league goals in 2022.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
DECEMBER 8 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC announced the return of defender Devon Amoo-Mensah on a two-year contract with a guarantee for 2023 and a club option for 2024.
Amoo-Mensah first took the pitch for Detroit City FC last season, joining the club before the start of their inaugural season in the USL Championship. He would go on to form an incredible defensive trio with captain Stephen Carroll and Matt Lewis.
This back three would lead Le Rouge through the month of April with a record of 6-1-0, boasting a +13 goal differential in the process, a month which also saw Trevor James named the USL Championship Coach of the Month.
Amoo-Mensah appeared in 19 matches last season for Detroit City FC, playing every single available minute in the league and US Open Cup. Unfortunately, on the road to Indy Eleven on 7/9, Amoo-Mensah suffered a torn ACL that saw him out for the rest of the season while he began his rehab.
In 2022 Amoo-Mensah had 40 clearances, 38 interceptions and a passing accuracy of 79.5%
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
DECEMBER 7 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC announced the return of midfielder Abdoulaye Diop on a two-year contract with a guarantee for 2023 and a club option for 2024.
Diop first joined Le Rouge for the 2019 NPSL season and played a key role in the midfield for Trevor James’ first season at the club. This side went on to win the Great Lakes division of the NPSL but lost in penalties to Cleveland SC in the NPSL Midwest final.
From there, Diop joined the Atlanta United system and played in the USL for Atlanta United II where he would make 26 appearances in the USL Championship over the span of two seasons.
Diop was one of the first players announced when Detroit City FC announced their move to the USL Championship. Now, a more mature Diop would become a crucial part of the squad as the 2022 season progressed. He would go on to appear in 27 matches, starting 22 to total 1,974 minutes of play. Diop had a pass accuracy of 79.8% over the course of the season, the second highest on the team. He also ranked second in the squad for passing accuracy in the opponent’s half with an accuracy of 73.3%.
Diop is the third midfielder to be announced in this cycle as he joins Maxi Rodriguez and Connor Rutz.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
DECEMBER 6 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC announced the return of forward Yazeed Matthews on a two-year contract with a guarantee for 2023 and a club option for 2024.
Matthews first joined Le Rouge ahead of the 2019 NPSL Members Cup following a stint with AFC Ann Arbor. He went on to win the team MVP award for the Members Cup and won the Golden Ball for scoring the most goals in the ten-game fall season, helping Le Rouge win the title. He also scored an excellent match-winning volley against Club Atlas in our international friendly with the Liga MX side.
He returned in 2020 for the clubs first professional season, becoming a crucial member of the squad during the NISA Fall Tournament, starting in the final against the Oakland Roots and playing a part in the 2-1 win.
Matthews was also a crucial asset to the 2021 NISA squad as he became a trusty option off of the bench, playing almost 400 minutes while scoring four goals and notching one assist. His most memorable moment was scoring an acrobatic scissor-kick goal on the road to Chattanooga during the NISA Fall Season in the dying embers of the match to claim all three points for Le Rouge.
In August of 2022, Matthews was announced as a returner in the business end of the USL Championship season. Although joining late, he made twelve appearances for Le Rouge, starting 7 matches. He would score 3 goals in these twelve appearances with one being the match winner on the road to Loudoun United. He also scored the clubs first ever goal in the USL Championship playoffs on the road to Memphis 901 FC on 10/22 in the 3-1 loss.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
DECEMBER 5 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC announced the return of defender Rhys Williams on a guaranteed two-year contract that will see him in the Rouge and Gold through the 2024 season.
Williams joined Le Rouge ahead of the 2021 season, coming to Detroit from Stumptown AC of NISA. In 2022 he started 28 matches and totaled 2,535 minutes of play. He generated 3 assists on the season while playing in 114 crosses, the third most in the squad.
He is a tireless box-to-box fullback who was a key part of the inaugural USL Championship squad last year. While Williams found himself in advanced attacking positions often last season, he also found himself second on the team for tackles won (57) and duels won (219) highlighting his ability and willingness to track back and help the team on both ends of the pitch.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
DECEMBER 4 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC announced the return of defender Matt Lewis on a guaranteed two-year contract that will see him in the Rouge and Gold through 2024.
Lewis first joined Detroit City FC ahead of the club’s inaugural season in the National Independent Soccer Association in 2020 on loan from the New York Cosmos. In his first start for the club, he would go on to become the clubs first ever professional goalscorer.
After the 2020 season was sidelined due to COVID-19, Lewis did not return to Le Rouge until 2021 when he would join the club on a permanent basis after a winter stint with the Kansas City Comets indoor team in the Major Arena Soccer League.
From there, Lewis became a crucial part of the Detroit City FC backline, creating a great partnership with captain Stephen Carroll and helping the club to a +58 goal differential throughout the course of 2021. He was also part of the first loan in club history in 2021 when he was signed on a week-long loan to El Paso Locomotive of the USL Championship.
Lewis was one of the key returning players for Detroit City FC after the move to the USL Championship was announced and made a massive impact on the 2022 side. Last season, Lewis started 26 matches which totalled up to 2,318 minutes of play. He ranked second in the squad for clearances with 80 while also scoring once and assisting three times. His lone goal in the league was the game winner away to the Birmingham Legion on 8/17.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
DECEMBER 2 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC announced the return of forward/midfielder Connor Rutz on a three-year contract with years 2023 and 2024 guaranteed and a club option for 2025.
Rutz, from Commerce, Michigan and a Saginaw Valley State University alum, is returning for his fourth season at Detroit City FC. He was first signed ahead of the club’s inaugural season in the National Independent Soccer Association.
In 2020, Rutz would appear in seven matches, starting six. In these appearances he totaled 527 minutes of play while scoring twice.
Rutz was named the 2021 Black Arrow MVP for his stellar play and work ethic in the midfield. He appeared in 28 matches, starting all 28. Rutz scored seven goals and notched two assists on the season, laying the groundwork for his return in 2022 for Le Rouge’s inaugural season in the USL Championship.
In 2022, Rutz continued to be a crucial part of Trevor James’ squad. Rutz appeared in 34 matches for Detroit City FC, scoring three goals – two of which were game winners. He also led the squad in aerial duels won with 66.
He has twice appeared on SportsCenter’s Top 10 Plays list, once in 2021 where he pulled off a sensational bicycle kick goal on September 11 against New Amsterdam FC at Keyworth Stadium and again in 2022 with yet another bicycle kick goal, this time on the road to the Birmingham Legion FC on August 17.
His strike in 2021 was named the #1 play of the day according to ESPN and his phenomenally acrobatic strike in 2022 claimed the sixth spot on the well-known countdown.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
DECEMBER 1 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC announced the return of midfielder Maxi Rodriguez on a two-year guaranteed contract that will see him at the club through 2024.
Rodriguez was signed for Le Rouge ahead of the 2021 NISA season and immediately claimed his place in the heart of the midfield. From there, Rodriguez was one of the key returners to the squad as the club made the transition into the USL Championship and was crucial to the teams successful inaugural campaign.
In 2022 Rodriguez led the team in league goals (9), passes (1,487), interceptions (56), tackles (104), duels (392) and duels won (228). He was also named to the USL Championship Team of the Week six times throughout 2022 for stellar performances in weeks 3, 7, 10, 20, 27, 30. Rodriguez was named the USL Championship Player of the Week for his hat-trick against Loudoun United on the road, the clubs first ever professional hat-trick in a league match.
Rodriguez’s most memorable highlight of 2022 was his performance against the Columbus Crew of Major League Soccer in the US Open Cup match on April 19. Rodriguez scored two second-half goals including a late penalty to see Detroit City FC advance to the Round of 32.
It was also announced that forward Antoine Hoppenot is out of contract and has joined Hartford Athletic as a free agent ahead of the 2023 season.
In 2022 Hoppenot led the USL Championship in assists with 11 and led the Detroit City FC squad with chances created with 80. As a veteran of the USL, Hoppenot brought needed USL Championship level experience to the club in their inaugural campaign. He also started in 31 matches and totaled 2,607 minutes of play.
Le Rouge thanks Antone Hoppenot for his dedication and commitment to the club in making 2022 a memorable inaugural season in the USL Championship and the club wishes him the best in Hartford.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
NOVEMBER 30 ROSTER UPDATE
Detroit City FC announced the return of long-term captain Stephen Carroll on a two-year guaranteed contract that will see him at the club through 2024.
Carroll was first signed for Detroit City FC ahead of the 2017 NPSL season and has remained with the team through the NISA seasons and now into the USL Championship. Last season for Le Rouge, Carroll appeared in 30 matches and started in all 30 of his appearances. He amassed 2,601 minutes of play and claimed 52 interceptions, the second most on the team, as well as 32 blocks which was the most in the squad.
Carroll would notch two goals in 2022, both of them being game winners, on the road to Atlanta United II on 4/9 and on the road to Hartford Athletic on 4/23.
Also announced was the news that the club has declined the option of the following players ahead of the 2023 season thus granting them free agency:
#6 Brad Dunwell, Midfielder – Dunwell joined Le Rouge ahead of the 2022 season and played in 20 matches, starting 13. An injury away to Atlanta United II sidetracked his start to the season which saw him start five of the first six matches of the year. In his 20 matches played, Dunwell saw 1,297 minutes of action and picked up his only assist of the season on the road to the Charleston Battery on 8/27. Dunwell led the team in pass accuracy this season, connecting on 86.1% of his attempts.
#19 Pato Botello Faz, Forward – Botello Faz joined Le Rouge in 2021 ahead of the NISA Legends Cup in Chattanooga, Tennessee. In 2021 Botello Faz would score nine goals while also registering five assists. He was the winner of the 2021 NISA Spring Season Golden Ball. In 2022 he would appear in 31 matches while starting 27. In these 31 matches he saw 2,197 minutes of action and scored eight goals while registering one assist. Botello Faz was named to the USL Championship Team of the Week for Week 25 for his brace on the road against the Charleston Battery on 8/27.
#77 Macky Diop, Forward – Diop joined Le Rouge in April after being acquired as a result of a trade with the Birmingham Legion. After being traded to Detroit, Diop would play in seven matches for a total of 168 minutes. Diop became a trusted option off of the bench in his first few weeks in Detroit before picking up an unlucky injury in a pre-match warm up which sidelined him from the end of June until Le Rouge’s playoff match in Memphis where he came on in stoppage time as Detroit City FC was chasing a late equalizer.
Furthermore, it was announced that the following player is out of contract ahead of the 2023 season:
#13 Ryan Shellow, Goalkeeper – Shellow joined Le Rouge ahead of the 2022 season and served as the clubs backup goalkeeper throughout the season. Shellow made one start for Detroit City FC, his first ever professional start, when the club traveled to take on the Colorado Springs Switchbacks. In his debut, Shellow made three saves and helped guide Le Rouge to a crucial 2-1 win. Shellow earned Save of the Week honors in this matchup.
Le Rouge thanks these players for their dedication and commitment to the club in making 2022 a memorable inaugural season in the USL Championship and the club wishes them the best.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.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)
November 11 Roster Update:
Detroit City FC announced that the following players are out of contract ahead of next season.
#9 Francis Atuahene, Forward – Atuahene appeared in 30 matches for Le Rouge this season making five starts. He was oftentimes the first choice off of Trevor James’ bench when in need of a goal or a spark off of the bench. In his 30 appearances, Atuahene scored two goals and notched one assist. He scored the game-winner against the New York Red Bulls II at Keyworth Stadium and scored the equalizing goal in a 1-1 draw with the Oakland Roots on 8/13.
#7 Billy Forbes, Forward – Forbes appeared in five matches for Le Rouge and picked up two starts before being loaned out to Valour FC of the Canadian Premier League. He was involved in Le Rouge’s second goal against the New York Red Bulls II, the ball was played across to him, and it was bumbled over the line by the Red Bulls II center back for an own goal.
The following players joined Detroit City FC on loan during 2022 and these aforementioned loans have come to an end following the completion of the season.
#25 Joe Rice, Goalkeeper – Rice made no appearances for Le Rouge after joining the club on loan from Loudoun United on September 8. He featured on the bench once – in the 2-1 win on the road to the Colorado Springs Switchbacks.
#22 Karl Ouimette, Defender – Ouimette appeared in 17 matches for DCFC this season making 14 starts. In these 17 appearances, he saw 1,329 minutes of action and was named the Man of the Match in Le Rouge’s 0-0 draw on the road to New York Red Bulls II on 9/21. Ouimette brought experience and depth to the Le Rouge backline as he was called upon to cover all 3 CB positions over the course of the season.
Le Rouge thanks these players for their dedication and commitment to the club in making 2022 a memorable inaugural season in the USL Championship and the club wishes them the best.
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)
