For the past couple years, I’ve heard all about Detroit’s energized and passionate Fútbol culture. This May I’ve finally started to immerse myself in the fútbol culture and understand a tiny bit the passion this city has for soccer. May fútbol news in Detroit has been busy.

May has signaled the continued discussions surrounding Dan Gilbert’s desire to build a soccer stadium and bring an MLS team to Detroit. On May 20^th, Detroit City FC began their season in the renovated Keyworth Stadium. For those brave enough to test their soccer skills, Detroit City Fútbol League began their 2016 season on May 24th and teams already have their eye on how to take home Copa Detroit VII on August 6th.

Before finally realizing (and initially resigning) to the fact that running was in fact the sport Kempa’s were built for, I had a long, semi-successful amateur soccer career starting in U8 Northville Rec, earning the nickname of soccer rat in the early days (despite the fact the most aggressive play I could make was using my little bony elbows to frustrate the other team) and ending in earning “The Shirt” in U of M’s indoor IM league.

A throwback to my early days of playing soccer…and an explanation of why my career never took off based on my post game snacks…

While I’ve grown to love running, my years in soccer left me with a love for the sport. Somehow based on this love, I convinced myself I would be fine to pick up the sport again and join Detroit City Fútbol League. Though I’m still working on getting that first touch back (and forever working on getting over my fear of headers), I’m much more confident in my ability to write about Detroit’s soccer scene. Thus, here you go: a quick update on three pillars of Detroit’s May Fútbol conversation.

1. MLS Potential in Detroit: Within the next five to six years, the MLS is looking to add four teams and expand to 28 teams. On April 27^th, Quicken Loans chairman Dan Gilbert held a news conference to announce he was teaming up with Pistons owner Tom Gores to join the fight to land an MLS team. A part of MLS expansion bid includes building a multiuse soccer stadium on the unfinished Wayne County Jail project. At this point, the next steps of bringing the MLS to Detroit rely on the ability for Gilbert and Gores to work a deal out for the unfinished Wayne County Jail Site.
   

   Rendering of Proposed MLS Stadium

2. Detroit City FC Moves to Hamtramck Home: Previously, Detroit City FC played at Cass Tech High School. Through volunteer hours and a $750,000 investment by their fans, Detroit City FC renovated Keyworth Stadium in Hamtrmack to double their capacity from ~3,500 at Cass Tech to ~7,000 at Keyworth. Some fun facts about Keyworth Stadium I just learned-it is nearly 80 years old and now owned by Hamtramck Public Schools. JFK spoke there twice while running for president in 1960. On Friday, May 20^th, Detroit City FC played their first game at their new home to a sold out stadium of 7,500. Make sure to snag one of their tickets, attend a game this summer, and meet the fans so passionate they contributed time and money to get a bigger home. Find their schedule here: http://www.detcityfc.com/schedule2016
   

   Photo of First Game at Keyworth Stadium (from Detroit City FC Twitter)

3. Detroit City Fútbol League: In 2010, the Detroit City Fútbol League was born to pay homage to Detroit’s historic neighborhoods and bring them together to play soccer. Throughout their growth, Detroit City Fútbol League has brought together neighbors from within the city and the surrounding metro area to enjoy the game of soccer and highlight the unique communities that make up Detroit. Though the league is recreational, the summer ends the crowning of a Copa Detroit champion. The league has grown each year and now has 32 co-ed neighborhood teams. I was lucky enough to join the Old Redford team. Some important Detroit City Fútbol League Dates: On Tuesday, July 5^th Old Redford plays (and beats) Challenge Fellow Gabriela Santiago Romero and the Southwest team. On Tuesday, July 19^th Old Redford plays (and beats) Challenge Fellow Kelsey Stein and the Downtown team. On Saturday, August 6^th Copa Detroit takes place (and Old Redford takes Copa home). Jokes aside, Copa is sure to be fun and though it has only been one game I encourage any soccer lover to try to join a team in 2017.