BY DAN STICKRADT
Communications Specialist | Web And Content Editor | Director of News |
Social Media Director | Interns and Freelance Coordinator
PH: (248) 884-1051
TW: @LocalSportsFans @MiSoccerNetwork
SHELBY TWP., Mich. – Neal Ruhl is coming aboard.
The longtime TV/live stream voice of the Detroit City FC will be joining the Michigan Soccer Network (MSN) as a weekly contributor. MSN announced the partnership Wednesday morning on its MSN Live show.
Each week over the USL Championship League’s 33-week regular season, Ruhl will compile a weekly recap show for all Detroit City FC professional men’s soccer games and general news regarding the franchise, its players, coaches, fanbase, game results and more.
The 10-minute recap show will air each Tuesday morning at times to be announced.
“I’m happy to be coming aboard and helping out at MSN with these shows,” said Ruhl. “DCFC is very popular in this market and their fans crave content. They look for it wherever they can find it.”
DCFC will kick off its 2024 campaign on the road on March 16 against the Colorado Springs Switchbacks FC at 8 p.m. EST and play its first home game March 23 at 4 p.m. against Loudoun United FC. Home games will remain at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck.
“There are two occasions in the last couple of years where the Detroit Tigers were struggling and DCFC had a larger audience than the Tigers. That just shows you the popularity of DCFC,” added Ruhl.
DCFC is coming off an eighth-place finish in the 12-team Eastern Conference of the USL Championship League where they finished 11-15-8 for 41 points. Detroit City was outscored 39-30 last season in 34 matches.
Ruhl has been actively involved in the broadcast media circles in Michigan for close to two decades, including the voice of DCFC since 2015. He has called DCFC matches on Fox Sports Detroit and Ballys as well the Detroit City regional television network vs Serie A, Liga MX & USL opponents to a worldwide audience.
Ruhl has served as Director of Broadcasting for Oakland University since 2015 and announced play-by-play for several sports at OU and the Horizon League for more than 15 years for TV-20 Detroit and ESPN+, having called games in the NCAA Tournament on multiple occasions.
Ruhl also hosts shows with The Woodward Sports Network, most notable Big D Energy Show. He has also worked as the play-by-play voice on the Detroit Pistons Radio Network as well as prior work with the Chicago Bulls Radio Network.
Ruhl will also serve as the voice in 2024 for the National Woman’s Soccer League and the United Soccer Leagues on ESPN+ and Yahoo Sports. Collectively, he has called games featuring over 53 NBA Draft picks, over 43 MLS Draft Picks and three current Major League Baseball players.
Ruhl was named Hour Detroit Magazine's “Best of Detroit 2020” award winner for best sports play-by-play broadcaster in Detroit, beating out local broadcasters from the NFL, NBA, and MLB.
(Have a story suggestion for the Premier Media Group and the Michigan Soccer Network regarding club soccer, high school varsity, amateur soccer, collegiate soccer or professional soccer of teams or players with Michigan ties, contact Communications Specialist/Web and Content Editor/Director of News Dan Stickradt via email at stickradt@michigansoccernetwork.com, or call 248-884-1051. Dan Stickradt is a 31-year veteran of the Michigan Media circles and recently joined the staff full time in March of 2024. Want to schedule a broadcast game or live show, contact PMG/MSN Director of Broadcasting Jonathan Turner for availability and pricing at jonathan@michigansoccernetwork.com.)
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