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Gameday Report: Detroit downs Birmingham on Hoppenot’s finish

By USLChampionship.com Staff, 04/15/22, 9:13PM EDT

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Second-half goal earns 1-0 victory for hosts after Steinwascher’s crucial late save

HAMTRAMCK, Mich. – Antoine Hoppenot delivered his third goal of the season to send Detroit City FC to a second consecutive victory after a 1-0 win against Birmingham Legion FC on Friday night at Keyworth Stadium extended the club’s undefeated streak to five games in the USL Championship.

Birmingham opened brightly but was unable to turn its pressure into a clear-cut chance in the opening 10 minutes before Detroit carved out the first chance on goal when Pato Botello Faz flicked a header wide of the left post off a cross from the right by Rhys Williams. The visitors almost created a chance to break the deadlock midway through the half when Marlon slipped a pass through for Juan Agudelo, but the former United States international was unable to get full purchase on his finish as he stretched to shoot.

A few minutes later, a misjudged free kick by Detroit goalkeeper Nathan Steinwascher almost provided a chance for Legion FC to capitalize as the ball fell in the penalty area, but DCFC’s defense covered well to keep the visitors from finding a clear shooting chance. As has been habit, Detroit came out more brightly to start the second half and Matt Lewis forced a good save by Legion FC’s Matt VanOekel six minutes after the break with a driven shot from 25 yards that was turned wide of the left post.

Steinwascher made up for his earlier miscue with a crucial save in the 56th minute as a neat piece of interplay saw Agudelo set up Anderson Asiedu for a point-blank header that DCFC’s goalkeeper managed to tip over the crossbar. That proved key seven minutes later when the hosts took the lead as Hoppenot produced a sliding finish to turn home a low cross by Maxi Rodriguez from the right to the top of the six-yard area.

Detroit almost added a second six minutes later when Connor Rutz clipped a shot just over the crossbar from 16 yards before Legion FC pushed hard for an equalizer late. The visitors created a big chance with seven minutes remaining when Jonny Dean was played into the left side of the penalty area by Prosper Kasim, but Steinwascher came off his line quickly to smother the chance. Detroit saw out the remaining minutes from there, however, to remain undefeated on home turf this season.

USLChampionship.com Player of the Match

Rhys Williams, Detroit City FC – Williams put in stellar display defensively on the right flank, winning 14 of 20 duels, 7 of 8 tackles and recording four interceptions and 15 recoveries for the hosts in the win.

Scoring Summary
DET
– Antoine Hoppenot (Maxi Rodriguez) 63’

Full Box Score

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