2012 Season Summary

I don’t recall how I heard about Detroit City FC, most likely through Facebook.  My initial thought was “A soccer team in Detroit?  Sounds like fun.”  And so, Denise and I went.

My first impression was the professionalism of the atmosphere.  The merchandise was not cheaply done, and the team colors – rouge and gold – was a good mix for the urban Detroit landscape.  I had not heard of the National Premier Soccer League, but my feeling about the teams after the first game was that DCFC was an organization that was both serious and fun.  I went in wearing a Columbus Crew jersey, and came home with a “Le Rouge” t-shirt and scarf.

The program listed the rosters, and the names on both teams were all unknown to me.  But as the season progressed, the regulars became familiar (Adam Bedell, Keith Lough, Stefan St. Louis, Spencer Thompson, Josh Rogers, Nick Lewin, Cyrus Saydee, Jeremy Clark, Kyle Bethel, Zach Schewee, David Dwaihy, Zeke Harris, Wade Allen, and Latif Alashe, to name a few), and a familiar name joined the team.  Having followed the Columbus Crew for a number of years, I was surprised to see Knox Cameron on the pitch in a Le Rouge kit.  The game had a good pace to it, and Cass Tech Stadium provided a cozy atmosphere near the skyline of Downtown Detroit.

Most memorable, though, were the fans.  Not fans…Supporters.  The Northern Guard Supporters.  For this first season, we stayed on the “family friendly” side.  I had not heard of the Northern Guard Supporters.  The first match when they appeared in the visiting team bleachers, chanting, singing, and taunting Le Rouge opponents with some salty language, I found them to be as entertaining as the team.  A bit edgy, perhaps.  The last match of the season – a friendly against the Windsor Stars – I decided to venture into the full supporter experience for the first time.

Detroit City FC hooked me.  The Northern Guard Supporters reeled me in.

Home from my first DCFC match.

The 2012 matches are as follows:

• May 12, 2012: AFC Cleveland.
• May 26, 2012: Erie Admirals.
• June 2, 2012: Greater Binghamton FC.
• June16, 2012: FC Buffalo.
• June 23, 2012: AFC Cleveland.
• July 1, 2012: Erie Admirals.
• July 11, 2012: Columbus Crew U-20s (friendly).
• July 18, 2012: Windsor Stars (friendly).

Below are the goals/assists statistics as reported on the NPSL website page for Detroit City FC.