Rio Hope-Gund


Rio Hope-Gund is an American soccer player who plays as a defender for Detroit City FC.

Career

Youth

Hope-Gund was a four-year starter and served as captain at Friends Seminary in Manhattan, helping his high school team to three-consecutive league wins and a state championship in 2016. He was also a four-year started with club side New York Soccer Club, helping the team to back-to-back NPL National Championships in 2015 and 2016.

College & Amateur

Hope-Gund played soccer in the United States|college soccer] at Georgetown University. After redshirting in 2017, he made 16 appearances for the Hoyas men's soccer|Hoyas] including four starts and scoring two goals as the team won both the Big East regular season title and Big East tournament in 2018. In 2019, he started in all 20 games as part of a defense that posted 13 shutouts. Georgetown won all three competitions they played in: defending the Big East regular season title, winning a third consecutive Big East tournament, and claiming the first National Championship in program history. After the postponement of the 2020 [Big East Conference men's soccer season|2020 fall season] until spring 2021 due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Hope-Gund elected to return despite having been drafted by Orlando City in January 2021. He made a further eight appearances for the Hoyas until his departure for Orlando in April having helped the team top the conference spring series standings. He was named Big East defender of the year and earned Big East All-Conference first team honors at the end of regular season awards. In total he made 44 appearances for the Hoyas, scoring two goals and tallying two assists.
While at college, Hope-Gund played with USL League Two side Manhattan SC during the 2019 season, starting every game for the club as the team finished third in the Northeast Division.

Professional

Orlando City

On January 21, 2021, Hope-Gund was selected in the first round of the 2021 MLS SuperDraft by Orlando City. He missed preseason camp, electing to return to Georgetown to play during the delayed college spring season before eventually being signed by the team to a one-year contract with three option years on April 8, 2021. He spent the entire season with the team and was named as a substitute 17 times but never made an appearance and had his contract option declined at the end of the year.

Loudoun United

On February 11, 2022, Hope-Gund was announced as a signing for USL Championship side Loudoun United ahead of their 2022 season. He made his professional debut on March 12, 2022, starting and captaining Loudoun to a 1–0 win against Indy Eleven.

New York City

After a season with New [York City FC II] in the MLS Next Pro in 2023, Hope-Gund signed with their MLS roster on March 1, 2024. He was released by NYCFC following their 2024 season.

Rhode Island FC

On April 5, 2025, Hope-Gund signed a short-term deal with USL Championship side Rhode Island FC.

Personal life

Hope-Gund's twin brother, Kofi, played soccer as a goalkeeper at Amherst College. He also currently plays for NYCFC II.

Honors

Georgetown Hoyas
Individual
  • Big East Defender of the Year: 2020–21