DETROIT – Detroit City FC is excited to announce the launch of the 2025 Academy Program! This year’s program will include four teams total, including U14 and U16 on the boys and girls sides. Teams will be made up of the top players from the Detroit City FC Youth Clubs and compete in the LouCity-Racing College Showcase (U16 boys & U16 girls) and the LouCity-Racing Turf Classic (U14 boys & U14 girls)
COMPETITION DATES
- U16 Girls: Feb 7 – 9
- U16 Boys: Feb 21 – 23
- U14 Girls: Feb 28 – Mar 2
- U14 Boys: Mar 14 – 16
ELIGIBILITY
- MUST be a registered DCFC youth player (City, Downriver, Genesee, North, South Oakland, or West).
- U14 = 2011 (Includes U13 birth year 2012)
- U16 = 2009 (Includes U15 birth year 2010)
TRAINING
Training will be 1x/a week on Friday evenings at Detroit City Fieldhouse (3401 E. Lafayette St., Detroit, MI 48207) beginning December 13th. They will run all the way up until 1 week prior to each team’s competition. Timing for training is expected to be U14 boys and girls (5:00-6:30 pm) & U16 boys and girls (6:30-8:00 pm). Boys teams and girls teams will train on separate fields at the facility.
SELECTIONS
The process for roster selections will be conducted internally by Detroit City FC youth clubs in collaboration with Detroit City FC. For more information, please reach out to academy@detcityfc.com or directly contact your local DCFC youth club. Invitations will be sent to selected players in November to attend a tryout this December.
“Detroit City FC youth clubs around the region are growing with talent every year. It is our goal to give youth players who are committed to growing in their future soccer careers another opportunity to receive high-level coaching and meaningful contacts directly with the Detroit City FC youth player pathway,” said Tyler McManus, Director of Youth Development. “We look forward to getting together top players from DCFC youth clubs to continually monitor the progress of developing players and recruit players within these environments who are preparing and are ready for our reserve teams in DCFC II both on the men’s and women’s side.”
TRYOUTS
Top players will be selected and invited to the tryouts on Sunday, December 1st at High Velocity Sports (46245 Michigan Ave, Canton, MI 48188) from 5:30-9:30 pm, exact timing TBD. Tryouts are INVITATION ONLY! Invitations will be sent from Detroit City FC.
TRAVEL
For players who are selected to the teams, families will be responsible for travel and lodging costs for their competition weekend in Louisville, KY. The competition is a “stay-to-play.” Detroit City FC will work with the competition directors on discounted rates for hotels and will be happy to help facilitate shared transportation options for those who may need assistance.
FINANCIAL AID
Need-based financial aid will be available on an application basis. Assistance provided will be based on a sliding scale of household income and number of claimed dependents.
“This program is a scouting ground that is in close collaboration between the pro organization and DCFC youth clubs. We hope to someday see more DCFC youth club players representing DCFC II and onto the first teams,” McManus said.
For questions or clarifications, please visit:
Contact academy@detcityfc.com or your local DCFC Youth Club leadership
For more information about Detroit City FC, visit detcityfc.com and follow @DetroitCityFC on X and Facebook and @detroitcityfootballclub on Instagram.
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Please send all media inquiries to media@detcityfc.com.
Primary Media Contact: Jarrett Maki (Sports Information Director, jarrett.maki@detcityfc.com)
