Passion for Our City, Passion for the Game
Founded in 2012, Detroit City FC has established itself as one of the most talked about soccer teams in North America. Our club motto, Passion for Our City, Passion for the Game, evokes the three ideas the grassroots organization was built upon: to satisfy the demand for soccer in downtown Detroit, represent the city in a positive light, and build community through “the beautiful game.”
In an era when sports teams are defined by billionaire owners and millionaire players, we are a team founded by a group of young Detroiters. Detroit City FC has developed into a minor league soccer success story, with one of the most exciting match atmospheres in North America, consistently sold-out games and passionate supporters.
The seed of DCFC was planted in 2010, on the soccer pitch at Belle Isle in downtown Detroit. That grass – the very same that was transported from the Pontiac Silverdome after the 1994 World Cup – was the original home of the Detroit City Futbol League (DCFL), a co-ed, recreational league that pitted players from teams representing the many historic neighborhoods of Detroit.
Founded as a community organizing endeavor aiming to bring city residents together, the league was wildly successful, quickly drawing over 1000 players a week to the games and after parties at bars across the city. Inspired by the success, DCFL founder Sean Mann pitched four friends an idea to further tap into the growing interest in the sport by founding a minor league soccer team to play in downtown Detroit.