Detroit City FC played to a scoreless draw with El Paso Locomotive FC in a United Soccer League Championship match at El Paso, Texas, on Saturday night.

Eric Calvillo of El Paso had the best scoring opportunity of the first half, taking a pass 30 feet in front of the Detroit net and rifling a shot just over the crossbar.

Le Rouge created few real scoring opportunities in the match, with perhaps its best coming in the 74th minute when Connor Rutz received a pass in front of the net from Maxi Rodriguez but failed to get a foot on it on his first attempt, and had his redirect blocked by El Paso keeper Ramón Pasquel when he finally reached it.

The point left Detroit at 10-8-9, in fourth place in the Eastern Conference, two points ahead of Indy Eleven in the race for a home playoff match. Indy Eleven has one game in hand over DCFC.

The outcome of Saturday’s match had to come as a disappointment to DCFC, as the draw left El Paso at 5-15-6, in last place in the Western Conference and with the second-worst record in the league.

Detroit City will host New Mexico United at 7 p.m. next Saturday.

The Detroit Pistons are set to welcome a handful of new veterans for the 2024-2025 NBA season. The eight-year former first-round pick Malik Beasley is one of them.

Although the Pistons haven’t gathered for their 2024 training camp just yet, Beasley has been putting in offseason work and supporting his new team in the process.

In a recent workout montage, Beasley donned a Detroit Pistons Basketball shirt.

Despite having a ton of cap space heading into the free agency market, the Pistons didn’t break the bank with an All-Star signing. However, they were productive once the signing period opened up and inked complementary role players to add to Cade Cunningham’s squad.

Beasley enters Detroit with plenty of experience under his belt. Back in 2016, Beasley left Florida State and landed on the Denver Nuggets as the NBA’s 19th overall pick that year.

There wasn’t much of a role for Beasley through his first two seasons in Denver. He averaged fewer than four points in 84 games. By year three, Beasley’s role increased. He averaged 23 minutes on the floor, appearing in 81 games. He even picked up 18 starts.

Beasley would produce 11 points and three rebounds per game. In year three, Beasley averaged 40 percent from three. After seeing the court for 41 games with the Nuggets in year four, Beasley was moved to the Minnesota Timberwolves. He spent two and a half seasons with the Timberwolves before getting traded to the Utah Jazz. Midway through the 2022-2023 season, Beasley was dealt to the Los Angeles Lakers.

Last summer, Beasley hit the open market before signing with the Milwaukee Bucks. He started all but two of the 79 games he played. Averaging nearly 30 minutes of playing time, Beasley recorded 11 points per game on 41 percent shooting from three.

As a 39 percent shooter from three through nearly 500 games in his career, Beasley is an ideal fit for the Pistons. The 27-year-old might not stick around in Detroit for a long time, but he fills a temporary need as Cunningham could use plenty of shooting around him.

On Saturday, Texas and Michigan are set to clash in one of the biggest early-season matchups of the 2024 college football season. 

The two teams are littered with NFL Draft prospects for the Detroit Lions to scout. 

Without further ado, here are five players from the Texas-Michigan contest that the Lions should be taking a long look at. 

S Makari Paige, Michigan 

Paige is a tall, big-bodied defensive back (6-foot-4, 208 pounds), who is capable of playing both nickel corner and safety. The Lions appear a bit thin at safety headed into the 2024 season, and Paige – a West Bloomfield (Mich.) High School product – could be just what the doctor ordered. 

Also, according to draft pundits, he presently is projected to be selected on Day 3 of the 2025 draft, making him an even more realistic target for Detroit general manager Brad Holmes.

It’ll be interesting to see how Paige fares in coverage on Saturday against Texas quarterback Quinn Ewers.

DL Mason Graham, Michigan 

Graham has the makings of a high-caliber interior defensive lineman at the next level. At 6-foot-3, 315 pounds, he’s equipped with the necessary tools to be a three-down lineman who can wreak havoc In the backfield and get after the quarterback.

He suited up for 13 games last season, and recorded 35 total tackles, including 7.5 for loss, and three sacks. And for his efforts, he earned second-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors.

He’s clearly one of Michigan’s best defenders, and has a great opportunity to make his presence known Saturday against Ewers and the Longhorns.

LB David Gbenda, Texas

Gbenda should have his fingerprints all over Saturday’s tilt with the Wolverines.

The 6-foot, 235-pound linebacker will not only have his eyes glued to Michigan’s running back duo of Donovan Edwards and Kalel Mullings throughout the contest. But, he also will be tasked with trying to curtail the production of All-Big Ten tight end Colston Loveland.

Gbenda, who’s featured on the 2025 Senior Bowl watchlist, finished with four total tackles, including a tackle for loss, in the Longhorns’ season-opening victory vs. Colorado State. I expect him to be a major factor Saturday afternoon.

TE Colston Loveland, Michigan

Sure, the Lions already have a Pro Bowler at the position in Sam LaPorta. However, Loveland would be a pass-catching upgrade over incumbent Detroit No. 2 tight end Brock Wright, and LaPorta and Loveland would form a dynamic tight end duo.

Loveland is coming off an All-Big Ten season in which he amassed 45 receptions for 649 yards and four touchdowns. Also, a week ago against Fresno State, he caught eight passes for 87 yards and a score.

I believe that Loveland is the real deal, and would look very nice in Honolulu Blue. I believe that Detroit’s scouts will be taking a look at him Saturday at The Big House.

LT Kelvin Banks, Texas 

Banks has first-round potential written all over him. The 6-foot-4, 325-pound lineman brings tremendous athleticism to the table, and uses that to his advantage both in lass protection and as a run blocker.

Banks, a five-star recruit coming out of high school, has started every game at left tackle for Texas since his freshman year in 2022. Last season, he was a first-team All-Big 12 selection and a contender for the Big 12 Offensive Lineman of the Year award.

He has a big task ahead of him against the Wolverines, being responsible for blocking U-M defensive linemen Josaiah Stewart and Derrick Moore.

With a strong junior campaign, he has a great chance to be the very first offensive tackle taken in the 2025 draft.