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The Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup is the oldest ongoing competition in American soccer. The Cup’s 101st year in existence will also be Detroit City FC’s first as a participating team.

On May 7th at 7pm, Detroit City FC will host RWB Adria in the first round of the eight round tournament. The match will be held at Stevenson High School in Livonia, MI.

Tickets are $10 and will be available at the gate and can also be pre-ordered online at: http://www.brownpapertickets.com/event/670338.

US Open Cup tickets are not included as part of DCFC’s season ticket packages.

Detroit City FC is hosting the game at Stevenson rather than their NPSL home of Cass Tech because the Cass Tech pitch size does not currently meet USOC standards. Livonia Stevenson High School is located at 33500 Six Mile Rd, Livonia, MI 48152.

The Open Cup is so named because all United States Soccer Federation affiliated teams may participate, from amateur adult club teams to the professional clubs of Major League Soccer. Le Rouge will join four other NPSL teams in the first round of the tournament. Six other NPSL teams will begin play in the second round.

If DCFC advances to the second round of the tournament, they will face the Michigan Bucks, a Pontiac-based team in the Professional Development League (PDL) on May 14th.

According to their team website, RWB Adria is a Chicago, IL base team was founded in 1959 by Croatian immigrants. The most high profile player to have played for RWB Adria is the legendary Portuguese footballer Eusebio who had a stint at the club in the late 1970s. RWB Adria has also participated in the U.S. Open Cup four times: in 1991 (where the club was a semi-finalist), in 1996, in 2007, and in 2008. 

The wait is finally over.

Detroit City FC took the field for the first time in 2014 to host Saginaw Valley State University for a friendly in Berkley, Mich. on Saturday in front of 1,499 fans. Though three players made their debut in Le Rouge kits, there were familiar faces guiding Le Rouge to a grinding 1-0 victory.

“It was good to get 19 guys there, seven or eight new guys to get out,” said head coachBen Pirmann. “Obviously the performance was very average and SVSU is a good team and they made us average, but it was good to be out there.”

DCFC struck first in the 20th minute off a goal from last season’s leading scorer and ex-SVSU forward, Zach Myers. Upon receiving a pass from Cyrus Saydee inside the 18-yard box, Myers spun off a defender and fired a shot into the top-left corner.

“There were some guys out there that I have played with, but it was fun,” Myers said. “Coach (Wasserman) probably won’t be happy with me when we talk after, but I had to do it. They played well, we played well. It was our first time out, so I think we were pretty pleased.”

A slew of chances from corner kicks helped Detroit City garner offensive momentum leading up to the goal, but back-and forth play from both sides characterized the latter part of the first half.

The Cardinals pieced together a quality build up just minutes following Myers’ strike, but first-year goalkeeper Jason Wise made a diving stop to push a shot just wide of the left post. Again, in the 35th minute, Wise jumped out to punch the ball away on a dangerous SVSU free-kick attempt. He finished the match with five saves.

The friendly gave Pirmann a chance to experiment with his new roster, and did so be giving his entire bench the chance to step on the pitch in the second half. High-profile returnees such as Kevin Taylor, Stefan St. Louis, Jon Evans and Tom Oatley pleased the crowd with several scoring chances, but to no avail.

In the 57th minute, Stefan St. Louis stepped into a shot from the top of the 18-yard box, but just missed the top corner. Moments later, a nifty through ball sprung him into the penalty area, and a shot from an awkward angle forced the ball to curl away from the goal. Oatley had a similar chance to St. Louis’, this time in the 79th minute, but pulled a shot well over the crossbar.

All evening, City’s relentless attack was showcased in front of a core of sound defenders. Josh Rogers and Ezekiel Harris anchored the defensive unit that stymied the few chances Saginaw Valley State garnered in the final third of the field. Newcomers Seb Harris and Ryan Thelen nicely filled in alongside the veterans with timely tackles.

“I thought Sebe Harris played 90 minutes at center back (and) fit in pretty well next to Josh,” Pirmann said. “I think the other guys in the second shift got used to each other quickly, so that’s a good sign of good players that you can get used to each other quickly.”

Added Pirmann: “I thought Ryan Thelen in the first group at left back was very good. He was probably the best new face.”

Throughout the remainder of the second half, DCFC’s possession-laden style helped keep pressure off the rest of its defensive corps until the final whistle.

With a friendly and a victory in the books, Le Rouge will rest up before taking part in training camp during the first weekend in May. Less than a week later, the boys in Rouge, both veterans and newcomers alike will ring in the official start to the 2014 season with a match against the Cincinnati Saints on May 10 at 1 PM.

“The Northern Guard, the Le Rouge Supporters have done a great job,” Pirmann said. “I don’t think (Kevin Taylor), Spencer (Thompson), and Latif (Alashe), and Cyrus (Saydee) are playing as much for me as they are for these fans and this city.”

Nearly a month ago, Detroit City FC landed an abundance of returnees that were sure to make the initial roster look promising. Now, a second wave of talent helps DCFC boast another lineup loaded with talent.

This new group of players will play a critical role in Le Rouge’s quest to defend its regular-season NPSL title, all while getting the chance to experience what a summer at Cass Tech feels like.

The club is pleased to announce the newest additions to its 2014 roster:

Tyler Arnone, University of Michigan
William Mellors-Blair, University of Michigan
Colin McAtee, University of Michigan
Michael Lamb, Saginaw Valley State University
Connor Furgason, Western Michigan University
Sean Hazen, Western Michigan University
Moustafa Bazzi, University of Detroit/Nejmeh Sporting Club
Brad Ruhaak, University of Akron
Zach Vasold, Saginaw Valley State University
Alex Isaevski, Saginaw Valley State University
Craig Neal, Saginaw Valley State University

Among the aforementioned newcomers to Detroit City FC, the second wave of roster additions also comes with some familiar faces. The following players who have suited up for Le Rouge in previous seasons will make their way back to Cass Tech this summer:

Luke Diener, Oakland University (graduate)
Ezekiel “Zeke” Harris, University of Michigan (graduate)
Zach Schewee, Bowling Green State University (graduate)
Nick Lewin, University of Michigan
Bret Mollon, Coastal Carolina (coaching staff)
TJ VanSlooten, University of Michigan

The culmination of established players and young talent should bode well for both the energy level and depth of head coach Ben Pirmann’ssquad. He enters his second year at the helm of DCFC after leading the team to an undefeated regular-season record in 2013.

“We lost talented players to the professional ranks and college graduation, so we have massive holes to fill from the record setting 2013 team as well as the inaugural team that Coach Stannard put together in 2012,” Pirmann said. “However, we have some new additions to the squad that will not only provide quality depth and competition, but a few players that will bring an immediate impact.”

 

The leader of the group of new players that Pirmann may look to to play a pivotal role in will be midfielder Tyler Arnone. He was a top target for DCFC for the upcoming season. With a long lineage of Wolverines that have put on the Le Rouge kit, and the club’s string of success in just two years of operation, Arnone’s decision became rather simple.

“When (Michigan) coach (Chaka) Daley told me that I could play for DCFC this summer I couldn’t let this opportunity go by,” Arnone said. “DCFC has such an amazing reputation in the soccer world, especially here in Michigan. For me, it’s going to be a great honor wearing the DCFC jersey and playing in the NPSL.”

Arnone was named midfielder of the year in the Big Ten conference this season, scoring two goals and recording five assists along the way. His presence at the central midfield position has anchored Michigan’s success in past season on both the attack and in the defensive third.

Though Arnone should be the most intriguing new player to watch this upcoming season, the rest of the additions could also find their way into roles within Pirmann’s system.

William Mellors-Blair hails from England, and is a recent transfer from Georgia State to Michigan. He was deemed one of the top freshmen in his class last year, and didn’t disappoint as he was selected to the all-rookie team in the Colonial Athletic Association.

Colin McAtee figures to position himself as a high-pace midfielder this summer, as he brings a load of experience to DCFC. McAtee scored one goal and dished four assists in 15 starts for the Wolverines in 2013.

Another transfer student, Michael Lamb is an established center defender who made the move from Oregon State to Saginaw Valley State in 2012. This season, Lamb was named defender of the year in the Great Lakes Intercollegiate Athletic Conference.

Connor Furgason is a Plymouth, Mich. native, and despite appearing in just three games after battling injuries in his freshman season, he’s well known as a quality center back that will add depth to a talented defensive group. His collegiate teammate, Sean Hazen, is a right back with some grit and a knack for finding ways to win games.

Moustafa Bazzi stands as one of the more unique additions to the team. He’s played for both the University of Detroit and the Nejmeh Sporting Club in Lebanon. With Detroit, Bazzi played in 16 games during his junior season, helping the Titans win their first-ever Horizon league championship. The Nejmeh Sporting Club signed Bazzi in September, and is known as one of the top clubs in Lebanon.

Brad Ruhaak was a steal from AFC Cleveland, where many of his Akron teammates have played in past summers. Ruhaak was redshirted his freshman season, but played a full 90 minutes in the Zips most recent spring game, a 3-0 victory.

Zach Vasold, Alex Isaevski and Craig Neal all hail from Saginaw Valley State. Vasold had one goal in 20 appearances this season, while Neal scored three goals that were all game winners. Isaevski is a local player from John Glenn High School of Westland, Mich. and did not see action this past season.

With spring upon us, and the countdown to the end of May inching closer and closer, Le Rouge’s roster continues to improve. As for Pirmann and his squad, they’re looking forward to the first kickoff at Cass Tech as much as the DCFC faithful have been itching to return all winter.

Until that glorious day comes, mark those calendars and look forward to greeting each new face with open arms, elaborate tifos and a hearty serenade.

Detroit City Supporters, Followers, and Fans:

In just two years, Detroit City FC has proudly become one of the most compelling stories in minor league soccer. Thanks to the many efforts of Detroit City’s staff, players, and die-hard supporters, the club has already achieved tremendous success and earned a great deal of attention and respect from the national soccer community. That said, our original goal as an ownership group remains at the forefront: we wish to become a sustainable organization that can highlight our beloved city and the beautiful game.

In 15 years, we want our kids wearing our jerseys not because they found them in a resale shop, but because we have a game that weekend. In our vision, sustainability means instilling in college coaches around the Midwest a confidence that sending us their top players will give those boys the opportunity to hone their skills and gain the invaluable experience of playing in an electric atmosphere. It means selling out every game so that we can retain the highest caliber players in the area and appeal to the type of sponsors that could one day help us to build a pitch of our own. It means creating an interface between supporters and players that is one-of-a-kind, and building upon our already-extensive fan base. It means Detroit City FC becoming one of the only 4th-tier soccer teams in the US to hire a full-time general manager—a step we are proud to say has already been taken. And above all else, sustainability means that for all events, at all venues, we are welcome and respected guests.

There is nowhere we would rather play than Cass Tech; they have been great to us, and we owe them the same. In order to maintain our good standing as tenants, we are going to be making the following changes to our game day experience:

• Chants, signs, and tifos that contain the F-word will not be permitted.
• Scarves or apparel with the F-word are not to be worn inside the stadium. Please leave them at home or in your car.
• As was the case in past seasons, alcohol will not be permitted inside the stadium or on DPS property.
• Fans will not be allowed re-entry into the stadium.

Simply put, we believe the aforementioned regulations are necessary if we are to achieve our ultimate goal of becoming a sustainable organization.

When fan favorite Adam Bedell was injured early in the 2013 season, we saw the look on his face as he was left for the hospital, and we shared his concern that playing for DCFC might have negatively affected his dream of one day playing professional soccer. A few games later, when Adam returned to the stands, his wrist wrapped in a cast, we saw a much different look on his face. As Adam looked across the field toward the supporter’s section, he was greeted with a giant tifo that had been created in his honor: it read, “GET WELL BEDELL.” Adam hung it in his dorm room, trained, rehabbed, and got fit just in time for his final season as a college soccer player. Months later, he was drafted and signed by theColumbus Crew; he has already played in his first official match, a 3-0 win over DC United.

There is no other team in the US – on any level – that can tell a story like that. DCFC has the most passionate and creative supporters in the country, and their connection to our players is unparalleled. Preserving and strengthening that connection guides us in every decision we make—so too does our desire to present our beloved Detroit in a way that makes her the envy of the national soccer community. We plan to be around for a long time to come. And we hope that you, our supporters, will trust that these changes have been designed with that very plan in mind.

City ‘til We Die,

David Dwaihy
Todd Kropp
Sean Mann
Ben Steffans
Alex Wright

The soccer community in Detroit just got a little bigger. Detroit City FC has made a new addition to their organization, in the form of their first full-time hire. He’s not a player, nor a coach. Instead, he’s a man with Detroit roots and a longing to make his way back to the metro-Detroit area and revitalize the city.

Meet Donovan Powell, the first-ever General Manager of DCFC. Powell was hired in early February to create stability and growth for a club that already ranks among the National Premier Soccer League’s elite. He hails from Toledo, Ohio, but he’s made lasting and special connections with the state of Michigan.

Powell has family in the Detroit area, and fondly remembers sitting on his grandfather’s lap as a child while listening to the great Ernie Harwell broadcast the Detroit Tigers’ games in the summer. His path from spending time with his grandfather to becoming the GM of DCFC has been long, but rewarding. “I’ve always felt like Detroit, this area, was my home,” Powell said. “I’m very passionate about this area. I’ve always wanted to come back to Detroit.”

After graduating from Clay High School in 2001, Powell became a member of the United States Marine Corps. He was first stationed in Mt. Pleasant, Mich. before heading to Iraq in 2005 where he became a sergeant when Operation Iraqi Freedom was in its beginning stages. Upon returning to America, Powell pursued a bachelor’s degree in Philosophy and Business at Bowling Green State University before obtaining a master’s in Sports Management at Drexel University.

He’s worked for USA Football, which is the official development partner of the NFL, the NFLPA, and all 32 NFL teams. His main responsibility included running camps for high school players to make that next step to playing collegiately. In nearly two years, Powell managed teams of interns and staff, while increasing brand awareness and generating revenue for the organization.

Less than a year ago, Powell received a job with the NHL’s Columbus Blue Jackets, where he worked as a Sales Representative to increase season ticket sales and build relationships with local business owners. He was so successful in boosting revenue for the organization that he was offered a promotion just a couple of weeks ago.

But at the same time, Detroit City FC came calling. He pushed aside the promotion opportunity and pursued the chance to come back to Detroit and work with its rapidly growing soccer community. Powell found the job opening on a site that is geared toward finding sports professionals, and immediately reached out to the club’s ownership. It was 9:30 pm on a Monday night, and Powell was home with his wife. The phone rang. It was Todd Kropp, one of DCFC’s co-owners, who told Powell that the club wanted to go forward with hiring him. It was an evening to celebrate, and soon after Powell could finally make his way north.

His first day on the job was Monday, Feb. 10. After spending much of the day setting up his new office, Powell has now been able to get acquainted with his responsibilities and goals for the upcoming season.

Those duties include: hiring an intern base and overseeing the group, increasing ticket sales DCFC include: hiring an intern base and overseeing the group, increasing ticket sales, (in the 2013 season home games averaged over 1,800 people), developing marketing and brand awareness strategies, developing marketing and brand awareness strategies, executing game day operations, garnering sponsorships, and working with media.

He’ll be a busy man the next few months, but Powell wouldn’t have it any other way. “It’s that kind of thing where I’ve always had a love and passion for the city,” Powell said. “I wanted to come back here and really put my roots down, and an opportunity like this — to oversee the organization here — was something I couldn’t pass up.”

He’s had the chance to speak with all of the owners — Kropp, Alex Wright, Sean Mann, Ben Steffans and David Dwaihy — and good discussions about the upcoming season have already come to fruition. Embedded in Detroit’s roots, they decided good food would compliment the quality discussion, giving Powell a taste of Slows BBQ and some DCFC sponsorship.

As the new General Manager, he hopes to make more of an impact on the city, alongside what he’ll be accomplishing with the club. “One of our slogans here is ‘Passion for our city, passion for our game,’ “ Powell said. One of my most important missions is to really deliver on that message. To have this whole soccer community rally around the city, I take that very seriously. I’m going to do everything in my power to build on the city.”His goal is to make summer nights at Cass Tech those events that residents of Metro-Detroit would hate to miss. Building on an already solidified foundation from the past two seasons, Powell expects this summer to be the most successful yet. He might have grown up listening to Ernie Harwell, but now he’ll transition into being serenaded by the booming voices of the Northern Guard.

With that, summer just got a little better.

Warm up your vocal chords, put on your gold and rouge, and brainstorm ideas for new tifos. Detroit City FC’s third season is less than two months away from taking off.

The early stages begin on March 22, when the first tryout will take place. According to head coach Ben Pirmann, there will be another tryout on May 3, and preseason training will begin in the subsequent days.

Pirmann returns for his second season at the helm after leading Le Rouge to a sterling 11-1-1 record last year. Despite losing Fabio Pereira, Adam Bedell, and Joey Dillon to Major League Soccer, DCFC returns a proven and reliable core group of players.

The initial signing of returning players for the 2014 campaign include:

David Edwardson – CM
Josh Rogers – CD
Jonny Evans – D
Zach Myers – F
Locky Savage – CM
Jeff Adkins – M
Latif Alashe – CM
Spencer Thompson – CM
Tom Oatley – F
Nick Schroeder – F
Matt Ybarra – D
Miche’le Lipari – M
Cyrus Saydee – M
Chase Jabbori – D
Wade Allan – F

With a good mix of college players and recent graduates, Pirmann and the club’s ownership has developed a solidified foundation while working to fill remaining roster spots. With two new clubs in Michigan set to embark on their inaugural campaign — Lansing United and Michigan Stars FC— recruiting has gotten more competitive, but Pirmann insists Detroit City FC will be just fine.

“It will be very tough to replicate winning the entire regular season title in the NPSL like last year with the massive expansion of the league and more good teams and players, but we go out to win every single game,” Pirmann said. “We are actively recruiting the top players in the nation and North America to continue the winning tradition of DCFC.”

Added captain Josh Rogers: “Ben has put his imprint on our team and instilled a hard working, fast-paced playing style that will only set us up to succeed.”

Rogers and one of last season’s leading scorers, Zach Myers, highlight the list of returnees. With five other starters coming back — Allen, Saydee, Lipari, Alashe, and Adkins — a second consecutive division title is not just an aspiration, but more so an expectation. After an early exit from the divisional playoffs, the team remains hungry to build upon last season’s regular season triumphs, and redeem itself in the playoffs.

“Despite all of the success we had last year, losing at home in that fashion left a bitter taste in my mouth,” Myers said. “Guys are motivated to replicate the success of last year and take it to the next level come playoff time.”

Throughout the offseason, Myers has found time to balance a full time job and kick the ball around with some of the DCFC guys. Rogers has already been thinking about stepping out to Cass Tech for the first time this season, and is looking forward to beginning a rivalry with Lansing.

As long as last year was any indication the Detroit City FC ownership is expecting record-breaking attendance numbers this season. Co-owner David Dwaihy expressed his satisfaction with the response the organization received from season ticket sales and the social media blitz. In just two short years, Le Rouge has been able to establish itself as one of the more successful clubs in the NPSL.

“I am really looking forward to getting back to training with the players,” Pirmann said. “Preparing on a weekly basis for the weekend’s matches is a great feeling, and I am excited to get back to that with the DCFC group of guys.”

The feeling resonates with the rest of the returning players too, as summer nights in Cass Tech cannot come soon enough.

“There’s nothing sweeter or more exciting than leading the boys out of the tunnel at Cass,” Rogers said. “Shouts of ‘Come and get it,’ the tifos, and the smell of flares are narcotic. It’s such an exhilarating experience.”

The pulse of Michigan soccer is beginning to beat faster. The only wish DCFC has is that the next three months could move along just as quickly.

A trio of Detroit City FC players bid farewell to Cass Tech and the Le Rouge faithful after being selected in the Major League Soccer draft on Jan. 16.

Adam Bedell, Joey Dillon and Fabio Pereira comprise the group that will make the jump to the highest level of American soccer. Bedell was drafted by the Columbus Crew with the 45th overall pick in the third round.

“It’s a whole other level now, and I’m looking forward to taking this next step,” Bedell said. “The Columbus Crew is a great organization with great plans ahead and it’s amazing that I get to be a part of it.”

The University of Detroit-Mercy graduate and former Horizon League Player of the Year has been in Columbus for a few days now, occupied mostly by physicals and baseline tests. According to Bedell, the team will be heading down to Florida on Sunday to begin preseason training.

On draft day, Bedell was back home, waiting for the action to unfold. However, his anticipation subsided quickly once he received a phone call from Columbus head coach Gregg Berhalter moments before the draft began. He told Bedell that he would be selected by the Crew, making the day a bit less tense.

Pereira’s draft day was a little longer. With the final pick in the draft — 77th overall in the fourth round — the Seattle Sounders selected Pereira, the crafty midfielder from the University of Michigan.

He was watching the draft with his computer, but the internet connection was so slow that Pereira ended up finding out he was drafted through a string of text messages and phone calls. After spending his career playing in front of raucous crowds such as the Michigan Ultras and the Northern Guard, Pereira will be well-prepared for the intensity that the Sounders’ supporters provide.

“I’m the type of player that rises to the occasion and big crowds get me going,” Pereira said. “The Detroit fans were extremely special to me and I am forever thankful for their passion and support. Now I’m really anxious to get to know Seattle a bit more. I want to play my best out there and help the fans celebrate a title very soon.”

Like Bedell, Pereira is also going through a series of medical tests after arriving in Seattle on Jan. 24. Preseason for the Sounders has already begun, and the team will travel to Arizona on Tuesday to play friendlies and continue preseason training.

Joey Dillon was selected by Real Salt Lake with the 53rd overall pick in the third round. The Rochester Hills-native spent his career with Georgetown University, while making several appearances in a DCFC kit in the summer of 2012.  His time with Le Rouge was cut short however, when he sustained an injury halfway through the team’s inaugural season.

Dillon played a critical role in Georgetown’s run to the National Championship in 2012, and was named team captain for his senior season this past fall.