DETROIT, Michigan – The Detroit City Football Club and head coach Sam Piraine welcome Rylee Clark, Brynn Gardner, Emilie Gardner and Ellie Pool ahead of the 2022 USL W League campaign. All four newcomers play collegiately for Bowling Green State University.
Clark started her collegiate career at Wright State before transferring to Bowling Green. The midfielder made 10 appearances this past season for the Falcons. While at WSU, Clark started nine matches – notching three points and totaling four shots on frame. During her prep career with Pacesetter Soccer Club, the Oregon, Ohio, native was a three-time state cup champion.
Brynn Gardner is an early enrollee at Bowling Green, joining her sister Emilie who is entering her junior season with the Falcons. Brynn was a two-time First-Team All-Ohio selection at forward and was the first from her high school to be named a United Soccer Coaches All-American. She scored 51 goals with 38 assists during her prep career at Anthony Wayne HS in Whitehouse, Ohio, and went 67-8-10 during her four years. Brynn played club for Pacesetter, winning a pair of state titles.
Emilie Gardner has played two seasons with the Falcons, seeing a career-high 68 minutes in 2021. Emilie has made six appearances as a defender in her collegiate career. While at Anthony Wayne HS, she was a First-Team All-State selection and United Soccer Coaches All-Region honoree. Emilie notched the match winner in the state semifinals as a senior. Over her three years on varsity, AWHS went 50-5-6. Along with her younger sister, Emilie played her club soccer with Pacesetter SC.
Pool joined BGSU this spring after spending two seasons with her hometown’s University of Toledo. The forward started 27 matches for the Rockets, leading the team in scoring both campaigns. Last year, Pool netted seven goals and recorded three assists. Pool was named to the All-MAC Second Team as a sophomore and the conference’s All-Freshman team after her debut slate with UT. As a senior at Sylvania Southview HS, Pool was named the Northern Lakes League co-Player of the Year along with current college and DCFC teammate Emilie Gardner. Pool played her club soccer with Pacesetter SC.
The four newcomers join forward Kenna White from BGSU. Defender Elisa Baeron was the 2018 MAC Tournament Most Valuable Player as a senior with the Falcons. Bowling Green has won the last four MAC Tournament titles.
The club has announced 21 players to 2022’s roster – headlined by All-Conference honorees Madison Duncan and White. Shannon McCarthy highlights a group of newcomers – coming home to Detroit after spending three seasons playing professionally in Kazakhstan for BIIK Kazygurt – making it to the round of 16 of the UEFA Women’s Champions League in 2019 and 2020. For a full view of DCFC’s USL W League roster, click here.
Piriane announced his staff in April. Former DCFC men’s player and current DCFC Youth West coach Danny Dragoi joins the staff along with Tyler McManus – Le Rouge’s current Director of Youth Development – and goalkeeper’s coach Eric Perilla – who holds the same role with the Club’s USL Championship side and Academy program.
Detroit City FC’s season opener is on May 7 at 7:30 pm against Kalamazoo FC at Keyworth Stadium. For a full view of the 2022 schedule, visit detcityfc.com/womens-schedule.
After two years in the UWS, Detroit City will kick off the USL’s newly established W League. The club announced the move on December 1 after the men’s side moved from NISA in the third division to U.S. Soccer’s second tier with the USL Championship. Le Rouge will compete in the league’s Great Lakes Division against AFC Ann Arbor, Flint City AFC, Indy Eleven, Kalamazoo FC, Kings Hammer FC, Midwest United FC, and Racing Louisville FC’s second team.
Season tickets are on sale at tickets.detcityfc.com and start at just $150 – season tickets cover both men’s and women’s home regular-season matches – Women’s season packs start at $49.
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on Twitter and Facebook and @detroitcityfootballclub on Instagram.
About USL–W
The USL W League is a pre-professional women’s soccer league set to kick off in May 2022. The USL W League strives to use women’s soccer as a force for societal good by creating a national platform to increase opportunity, gender equity, and career development. The league and its member clubs are committed to investing in women’s soccer – through financial resources and time, energy, and attention – and are united in our mission to grow the women’s game.
