This is the third year in a row that’s I’ve sat down to write about Detroit City and the reasons they deserve the title of club of the year. Last year, as I finished the article, “Detroit City Football Club has been called the gold standard, the club that other clubs should measure themselves against. 2020 did nothing to shake that title. Instead, DCFC added to success, expanded their club, won a professional league title, added funds from fans around the world, and continued to be the best club in American soccer.

There are other clubs and then there is City.”

So let’s do this again, for the last time.

Detroit City’s 2021 was marked by success after success. The club played 26 matches in NISA league play, that’s 78 points available to win. The team earned 65. In two NISA seasons (Spring and Fall), the club lost a single match. It locked up the single table Fall Championship in dramatic form, with months to go in the season. The team went undefeated in NISA’s Independent Cup, going 3-0 and winning their group in aggressive fashion, scoring 17 goals in three matches. Every aspect of the lineup clicked this season as Coach James plugged and played and won, over and over again. City was dominant in a way that would earn promotion in any other country and, since that wasn’t an option, the club took matters into its own hands.

Aside from the two championships, the team made the massive announcement that it would be exiting NISA and heading to USL Championship next year. It was a move that shocked the lower league soccer world, but supporters of the club heralded Detroit’s leadership in growing the club. Obviously, there is little more for DCFC to prove in NISA. The club had established itself as the unrivaled team in the league, it was not a question of IF the team would win, but HOW MUCH the team would win by. The move to USLC, the club argued, was the next step in the growth and survival of DCFC.

And the growth and excellence of the club wasn’t limited to the men’s side. The women’s team continues to strengthen, announcing a move to the USL-W league next year. The club features a successful U23 men’s side in the Midwest Premier League. Detroit City continues to extend its roots deeper and deeper into the community that surrounds it, embracing social causes and charities that benefit local citizens. They do things the right way.

While Detroit City has been around for a decade, my history with the club is just 3 years and it saddens me that this article will be my last about City. I genuinely love this club for its calculated and logical march to be the biggest and best club that it can be. This year is just further proof to “toss in the pile” as its supporters joke. The quality of the club is unchallenged at every level it has played in. It will not be surprising if that continues next year.

Detroit City is the best lower league club in the country. Has been for several years. It’s time to recognize it. If, as a fan, you were disappointed by the move to USL, that’s fair. But it doesn’t change or dishonor the greatness of this year’s campaign. DCFC was the best club in 2021. That is a fact.

Vote Detroit City as the 2021 Protagonist Soccer Club of the Year.

- Dan Vaughn