DETROIT — Today, Detroit City Football Club announced that club legend Nate Steinwascher has retired from professional football. Steinwascher is one of six City Centurions in club history and a winner of the club’s 2022 Black Arrow MVP Award.
Steinwascher made his Detroit City FC debut on May 18, 2016, against Louisville City FC in the Lamar Hunt US Open Cup and played his final match for the club in the 2024 USL Championship’s Eastern Conference Quarterfinal on November 2, 2024, marking a staggering 3,090 days between his first and last appearances for Le Rouge.
Since Steinwascher made his debut, the club itself has grown from the 4th-division, amateur, National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), to the “Unstoppable” National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) team of 2021, to now playing on national television multiple times a year in the USL Championship in the second-tier of American professional soccer, and Steinwascher has been a key part of the Detroit City FC lineup throughout all of the growth.
He was even present for the earliest days of Detroit City Football Club, suiting up as a training player in the club’s inaugural season in 2012, meaning he took part in a training session coached by all four head coaches in the history of the men’s side from Kylie Stannard, to Ben Pirmann, to Trevor James, to Danny Dichio.
Since the 2022 season, the club’s first in the USL Championship, Steinwascher has made 226 saves, keeping 30 clean sheets in 87 starts over three seasons. His time in the USL Championship comes to an end with an impressive save percentage of 75.1% and a Goals Against per 90 average of 0.98.
His full statement on retirement is as follows:
“Detroit City FC Family,
After much thought and consideration, I have decided to step away from professional soccer. As difficult as this decision has been, I am looking forward to the time I will gain back to spend with my beloved family and friends. While I can’t name every single person who has helped and supported me along the way, here’s my best effort to express the true gratitude I feel for everyone who was involved in my career…
To the coaches and mentors who have assisted in my growth, thank you for always pushing me to be my best. Too often during my chase, I was being knocked down, but the same people always coached and pushed me to keep striving for the end goal.
To all my teammates over the years, I’ve enjoyed the relationships that have come out of our time together, on and off the field. From the tough times to winning championships and everything in between, there was never a doubt about how much joy I had stepping on the field with all of you.
To the players, technical staff, front office, and everyone who has been associated with Detroit City FC, thank you. I’ve grown from a young college kid looking for a place to play summer ball to a husband and father, all while having the opportunity to be involved with the significant growth of a club within my own community. This club is my home. I’m so honored to have been a part of this from the beginning, and I’m looking forward to continuing my involvement.
To all supporters, thank you for making Keyworth Stadium such an amazing environment. We have won championships in front of you, and we have also had some tougher times, but there was never a moment that I felt we didn’t have the best fanbase in the league. It’s been an amazing feeling playing in front of you all, and I’ll never forget how much Keyworth would be rocking when we scored. You made the sport I love that much more enjoyable. And to those kids, I’ve enjoyed giving you something to look up to, as I did with all the professional athletes of my favorite Detroit sports teams growing up. I hope I’ve inspired you as much as you have done for me.
To my parents, thank you for getting me into soccer at such an early age and for the never-ending commitment you made to that boy who wanted to become a professional goalkeeper. All of the time and money that was invested into my growth has not gone unnoticed. It not only made me a better soccer player but also a better human being from the experiences.
To my wife, Catie, thank you for being my rock. I remember telling you about my dreams when we met. You hopped on board and supported me through it all. You have been such a constant for me during the busiest times, and I could not have managed everything if it wasn’t for your love and support. I love you, and I love the life we’ve created.
Noah & Declan, I can’t wait to see what paths you take. You don’t quite understand the sacrifices you made for me to travel the country and play the sport I love, but I’m looking forward to spending more time with you. Who knows, maybe one day, these supporters will be chanting your names.
While I may not be wearing the #1 jersey for the club, I’m looking forward to contributing to the club and the local soccer community for years to come.
Thank you.”
Steinwascher and his family will be honored at a to-be-announced home match during the 2025 season, in the club’s first-ever ‘Legends Night’, centered around his amazing career at Le Rouge. Also, you’ll be able to catch Steinwascher at the Detroit City FC Club Shop in Capitol Park in early January for the release of his limited edition City Stalwart pint glass. More specific details of this event will be announced in the coming weeks.
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)
