Grab your scarf, warm up your vocal chords and tell a friend: Detroit soccer is back.
Detroit City FC hosts Dayton Dynamo FC this Saturday night for the first home match of the 2017 season at 7:30 p.m. The friendly wraps up the City preseason, which saw two victories against Saginaw Valley State University, 3-1, and Lawrence Technological University, 2-0.
Despite playing in the same conference as the Dynamo before, this will be the only time the two sides clash in 2017 (excluding a potential playoff matchup). Though the two clubs both remain in the Midwest Region of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the Dynamo will play in the East Conference, while DCFC remains in the Great Lakes Conference.
Head coach Ben Pirmann returns for his fifth season leading Le Rouge. His aggregate record with the club is 32-10-11 (W-L-T).
This summer’s schedule includes exhibitions against two teams from professional-based North American clubs, a highly anticipated international friendly against Belfast-based Glentoran FC and a balanced NPSL divisional schedule.
DCFC will honor Detroit soccer history when it hosts Glentoran FC in its highly anticipated Detroit Cougars 50th Anniversary Match presented by Strategic Staffing Solutions on Saturday, May 27 at 7:30 PM ET.
“Our match against Glentoran FC will truly be a memorable event, and I can’t wait to be a part of that historic experience as well,” Pirmann said.
Altogether, City will play a 14-match NPSL Midwest Region Great Lakes Conference schedule and four friendly matches during their 2017 campaign. The regular season is rounded out by back-to-back matches against Lansing United, with Le Rouge visiting Lansing on July 9 before hosting United on July 14.
“We return to a tough conference, and with so many teams within Michigan, our players and fans will be able to take in quality matchday environments throughout the summer when we travel,” Pirmann said. “I’m looking forward to an exciting and challenging summer schedule.”
Seven conference matches will take place at Keyworth Stadium in Hamtramck, Mich., with the first on Friday, May 12 against Milwaukee Torrent at 7:30 p.m. On May 14, DCFC will play its first away match against Michigan Stars FC in Berkley, Mich., at 4 p.m.
DCFC was busy during the offseason, adding 18 new players from top programs in the country. Among the notable players is Shawn Lawson, who returns to City after playing in 19 matches for the club in 2013 and 2014.
Detroit welcomes Zach Bock (Western Michigan), Stephen Carroll (Davenport), Mauricio Castorino (Fort Hays State), Louis Dargent (Coastal Carolina), Aaron Franco (Maryland), Spencer Glass (Indiana), Bakie Goodman (Georgetown), Roderic Green (Saginaw Valley State), Luke Hauswirth (Washington), Owain Hoskins (St. Edward’s), Kervin Kenton (Coastal Carolina), Shawn Lawson (Oakland), Colin Miller (Providence), Tyrone Mondi (Northwestern Ohio), Derrick Otim (Xavier), Adam Spinks (Europa Point FC), Max Todd (University of Illinois at Chicago) and Jordan Tyler (Penn State).
The newcomers will join several Le Rouge returners on the pitch this summer, including Captain Dave Edwardson, fellow midfielders Cyrus Saydee, Jeff Adkins, George Chomakov, Andrew Dalou and Troy Watson, defenders Seb Harris and Zach Schewee, goalkeepers Joe Smith and Nate Steinwascher and forwards Spiro Pliakos and 2016 Black Arrow Award recipient Tommy Catalano. The full 2017 roster is below. Returning players are in bold:
Goalkeepers: Joe Smith, Nate Steinwascher, Colin Miller
Defenders: Seb Harris, Zach Schewee, Owain Hoskins, Adam Spinks, Zach Bock, Stephen Carroll, Spencer Glass, Kervin Kenton, Omar Sinclair
Midfielders: Cyrus Saydee, Dave Edwardson, Jeff Adkins, George Chomakov, Andrew Dalou, Troy Watson, Aaron Franco, Luke Hauswirth, Tyrone Mondi, Bakie Goodman, Louis Dargent
Forwards: Tommy Catalano, Spiro Pliakos, Roderic Green, Shawn Lawson, Derrick Otim, Max Todd, Mauricio Castorino, Jordan Tyler
Pirmann praised his staff for having recruited players of such high caliber. He said they, along with the returners, add to a solid foundation of talent sure to bring plenty of excitement to this summer’s season.
“Adding to the foundation put into place with our returning unit, we are very pleased with the players we have been able to add to the 2017 team,” Pirmann said. “My staff have done a wonderful job identifying and recruiting some of the top players in the country who are current college award winners as well as professionals that want to be a part of this historic and blossoming club.”
A total of 52,550 supporters attended City’s 10 home matches in 2016, totaling a 48-percent increase in total attendance from 2015.
“Nothing comes close to playing at home and I am looking forward to getting back to Hamtramck to see the energy and passion of our supporters,” Pirmann said.
Will you be a part of Detroit soccer history? Come join thousands of fans this Saturday night and cheer on Le Rouge as they look to close out the preseason undefeated and carry momentum into the regular season.
Now is the time to show your support and passion for Detroit’s soccer club. Tickets for Saturday’s match are available for just $10 here.
– Kevin Biglin | DCFC Staff Writer
