April 19th, 2022 at 11:09 PM ^
Beating teams from Columbus never gets old!!
I will never understand why Ohio has two MLS teams and Michigan has zero. Its dumb enough that LA has two teams and NYC has two teams but Ohio!! Its almost like the management of MLS doesn’t understand how fandom works. MLS is not big enough to attract the players who in turn attract audiences to whatever team they play for. The more population centers with teams the more fans will be involved. Simply ridiculous
April 19th, 2022 at 11:21 PM ^
One of the reasons why Michigan doesn't have MLS is because of DCFC interestingly enough. Investors wanted DCFC to support the MLS bid and the rabid fanbase and ownership said no.
The (very smart) DCFC owners have expressed a desire to grow DCFC into Michigan's MLS club. The Gilbert money, et. al., have said no.
That DCFC fanbase is nuts enough to create a movement to not support the, ahem, corporate pigs too so for now, MLS gone.
April 19th, 2022 at 11:27 PM ^
This is a lie that Northern Guard Supporters peddle out with no basis in reality. Gilbert used the MLS bid to pry the jailsite away from the city, and once he got what he wanted, suddenly the idea of owning an MLS team lost all its luster.
It has nothing to do with DCFC, who were an amateur side at the time.
April 19th, 2022 at 11:35 PM ^
Which makes no sense because the whole point of getting the jail site was in response to Garber telling the Detroit bid he wasn't okay with MLS sharing Ford Field. MLS wants standalone stadiums.
So you're saying Gilbert and Gores and Co. did what the commissioner told them to do and then gave up.
Yeah, right.
April 19th, 2022 at 11:47 PM ^
You have your timeline backwards: the jail site was the first plan that piqued the MLS interest. When the ownership group scrapped the soccer-specific stadium for some unknown reason, that was when Gilbert and co partnered with the Fords and tried to sell Ford Field as a viable alternative and the MLS backed off.
Regardless, the Northern Guard would never support a MLS team, so there’s no reason for the MLS to have considered their opinion at all, any more than a new steakhouse would cater to the opinions of local vegans.
Northern Guard would support DCFC in MLS on the club's terms. But the single entity ownership model doesn't jive with how DCFC has built their support. The club has significant fan and community investment, which creates huge buy in from the fanbase and a desire to cater to the fanbase from ownership. MLS' current model would strip away some of what makes DCFC what it is.
There's also the huge sum of money required to get into MLS. Any sort of investor providing that would shift significant power away from the fanbase toward that individual investor.
@bacon1431
I'm sure I've mentioned this to you, but I had always assumed I was literally the only Wolves fanatic in Michigan. From your user logo, I'm thrilled to see I am not!
April 20th, 2022 at 10:18 AM ^
Wolves Aye We! Feel like the club is at a fork in the road this summer. Gonna take some investment to make the next step of consistent contention for European spots. Curious what decision Neves will make as well! He is good enough for Champions League.
100% agree on Neves. Can't lose him if we're trying to build something. Need Neto to step up next season. Raul to be healthy. And Saiss/Kilman/Coady to anchor a juggernaut defensive line again.
The Northern Guard will support DCFC in any venture, full stop. See all the hypocritical stances on the USL from back when they joined NISA to their recent move to USL. For all their big talk, they are no different than any other soccer club when the rubber meets the road.
Hypothetically, it would take DCFC an entire lifetime of building to get to a point where the MLS would actually consider them as a viable expansion candidate under their current model, and even then the logistical headache of dealing with an organizational structure like that would probably be too big of a headache (not to mention funding a half-billion dollars in expansion fees).
Yet, despite painting the MLS as an enemy since their inception and being adamant of no interest in such a venture, when the MLS did show interest in the city, instead of being supportive of more local soccer and the fans who did want to watch soccer at the highest level here in the States, the Northern Guard publicly b*tched and attacked anyone who was receptive to the bid.
The whole brand of DCFC is about being Detroit’s local, homegrown club. Not sure why it’s surprising the supporter’s group would be against a corporate club like you’d have with MLS. It’s fine, they support the club. If Detroit got an MLS team, they’d get over it in time.
Columbus (878,553) has over twice the population of the cities of Cleveland or Cincinnati, which would explain why they have an MLS team. The Cincinnati/Northern KY region has almost the same population of Columbus and a dedicated soccer stadium. It's a better package than what Detroit could offer.
April 20th, 2022 at 10:01 AM ^
Detroit metro has 5+ million. They need to find a way to get a stadium built. One of these mortgage clowns has to want his name on one.
April 20th, 2022 at 10:07 AM ^
perfect comment!
April 20th, 2022 at 10:30 AM ^
I'm not nearly smart enough to explain the legal sleight-of-hand the city uses but, to add a bit of context, I believe that Columbus incorporates the population from its suburbs and exurbs like Dublin and Groveopolis in its population count in a way that Cleveland and Cincy don't, so the 900,000+ population figure is a bit deceptive. If you count the greater metropolitan area, Cleveland's is still bigger. That said, at some point given current trends, Columbus will sprawl past its adjacent counties and eclipse Cleveland and Cincinnati (combined, probably), but that hasn't happened yet.
(Also, I've been in a few bars where Crew fans like to gather - since their colors are black and gold, a lot of them wear yellow and black striped scarves. The first few times I was hanging around when some of them showed up, I was legit wondering was there some Harry Potter fan club for Hufflepuffs)
April 20th, 2022 at 12:19 PM ^
To me that is the flawed logic. Focusing on potential game attendance rather than television audiences. A team in Columbus could theoretically entertain all of Ohio’s soccer fans whether they live in Cleveland or Cincinnati or elsewhere. The entire state of Michigan and its 10 million residents do not have a team to root for. Michigan is the 10th largest state by population yet it does not have a team, and it is the only state in the top 10 that doesn’t. How does that make any sense?! In the meantime I will continue watching the EPL as I have no skin in the MLS and the product is much better.
April 20th, 2022 at 10:28 AM ^
The Crew were minutes away from moving to Austin, but may have saved themselves by promising a new downtown stadium that replaces their newish soccer-only stadium. Or at least that was the story a year or so ago. I wouldn't be surprised if another sunbelt locale knocks on the door.
What really pisses me (sort of) off about Cinci getting a club is their proximity (1.5 hour drive?) from Columbus. Whatever.
April 20th, 2022 at 10:41 AM ^
The former owner, Anthony Precourt, wanted to move the team to Austin (and it came to light that when he bought the team he had an out in his contract to allow him to do just that) but after a massive outcry, the league arranged for him to buy a new team in Austin while the Haslams (who also own the Browns) took over. I'm guessing the Crew are probably safe for the time being - the fanbase here is a lot more rabid than you'd expect. Obviously OSU is #1 but I really think the Crew is more popular here than the Jackets.
April 19th, 2022 at 11:16 PM ^
That is fantastic.
April 19th, 2022 at 11:17 PM ^
Only 2 of Columbus' starting 11 had started a game all season. This was basically Columbus' bench.
But still, anytime that state up north defeats cooler poopers, it's cause for celebration.
City til I die!
April 19th, 2022 at 11:31 PM ^
And here I though DCFC fans were insufferable before… just keep in mind that the Bucks have beat MLS sides in the Open Cup multiple times, so it’s not like this is completely unheard of.
I am sorry nobody is talking about your Bucks today. Hopefully you can find a way to get through the day, I am here if you need to talk.
Not my Bucks, but at least Bucks supporters aren't so outspoken and obnoxious to the point of turning a Detroit die-hard soccer fan against a local club...
I wouldn't piss on an NGS if they were on fire.
April 19th, 2022 at 11:58 PM ^
Shouldn't the score have been 42-27?
in the snow.
were any fools hurdled?
April 20th, 2022 at 12:02 AM ^
This wasn't the Crew's B squad was it?
A mixture. Some first team players but mostly bench guys.
Zardes played but was really a non factor when he wasnt flopping. His PK was very well placed but other than that he just looked meh. This was the 3rd time I saw him live and unfortunately he isnt what he used to be. I really liked watching him play through the years.
Go City!!!!!
He's a player I've always enjoyed in MLS. Not so much in a USMNT jersey.
Did they have the flu?
Huge night for DCFC! One of the times I wish I lived closer to Detroit. Hard to get myself to weeknight games when I know I would regret it the next morning at work.
I need to get to one of their games. I'm not much of a soccer fan but it looks like a fun atmosphere and I work in Hamtramck.
It's absolutely awesome! And even if you don't end up enjoying the game, there's lots of food trucks and drinks available. I recommend going to Fowling Warehouse for pregame and doing the march to the stadium with the supporters group. I don't do that every time I go, but you have to do it at least once!
I didn't know they marched from their. I would definitely do that.
April 20th, 2022 at 10:13 AM ^
That's awesome. Need to get out to a game again. Does anyone know how the adjacent renovations to restoring Hamtramck Stadium where Negro League legends like Turkey Stearnes, Satchel Paige, and Josh Gibson played, is going? Good things going on in Detroit.
April 20th, 2022 at 10:21 AM ^
Turkey Stearnes is one of my favorite Detroit sports legends. The owner of the Tigers also owned a factory in Detroit. Turkey was able to work in the factory but not allowed to be on the Tigers because of their policy on Black players.
April 20th, 2022 at 10:34 AM ^
good. suck it Columbus.
Take that Appy St.!!
So many acronyms in this thread that I do not understand. As a fan of European Football i wouldnt hate checking out a local Detroit team. So who does Detroit actually face in their league? Where do they play? I havent seen Detroit soccer since the Rockers back in the late 90's.
Also after googling Northern Guard I can't quite tell if its a club to support a team or some type of hate group. Or are there multiple Northern Guards?
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/2022_USL_Championship_season
There’s a link to the league’s Wikipedia page. Basically the league below MLS. Northern Guard is the name of the Supporter’s Group. They organize the March from Fowlings to the stadium, as well as all the songs and chants. It’s a fun sporting event to go to.