Editor’s Note: Protagonist Soccer, like many fans of lower league soccer, is a single share co-owner of Detroit City FC.

Earlier this evening, in the Detroit City Clubhouse, Detroit City FC’s co-owner and CEO Sean Mann sat at a table flanked by coach Trevor James and Alex Wright, co-owner and chief creative officer. Mann quickly put to rest the rumors that had come to a head the prior day: Detroit City had submitted their resignation letter to NISA last week, and formally joined USL as a member to begin play in the USL Championship in the spring of 2022.

From L-R: Head Coach Trevor James, CEO Sean Mann, and co-owner Alex Wright

Early on, Mann made the point to put out one of the hot button issues often associated with clubs moving to USL, “as far as intellectual property, we own it.” The Northern Guard Supporters (NGS) were reassured that they would be able to continue to deliver “the best gameday atmosphere in American soccer.” Mann also revealed few details about the necessary primary investor who was brought in to fulfill PLS standards, only saying that he was a friend of a friend, “not a celebrity, just a regular guy” who gravitated to the DCFC story. While such a primary investor is required by USSF’s standards to have a controlling interest of at least 35% ownership of the club, Mann did not reveal the identity of Detroit City’s new owner.

What Mann didn’t speak to was why the move was made at this point in the current NISA season. Alex Wright, co-owner of DCFC, did respond to that point, framing it in reference to discussion in social media regarding the move. “Our time is too valuable.” He gestured to the youth programs going on in the background of the press conference and continued, “just look out there, those kids don’t have five years for us to figure out the future of American soccer. They’re just going to pick a new sport or a new team.” That urgency was expressed by Wright in his closing remarks as well, highlighting the need to make this move now.

In the question and answer portion, the following facts were mentioned as responses to the crowd’s questions. Keyworth will get some minor upgrades, but will continue to be the home of the club. The women’s program will be moving to USL, though a formal announcement will come later. Detroit City will play out the rest of the NISA season. DCFC will not field a team in USL2 in the near future. The team hopes to keep the same broadcast team. Franchise fees were not discussed, as Mann mentioned contract confidentiality. The general tone of this section was jocular and familial, which was sure to disappoint critics of the move, but certainly reflected the synergy between the front office and fans of this club.

The online and in-person session, billed as a “Special Owner’s Meeting,” which announced the move by the club to join the USL Championship for the 2022 season, was paired with a club press release. “The move enables more people to see and experience the DCFC’s distinct fan culture, ensures the club’s long-term stability, and gives the team a chance to prove itself against top competition in an established professional league.” Sean Mann expanded on the idea. “It’s clear that the time is right for Detroit City FC to move forward by joining the USL Championship, this puts us on track to accomplish many of our shared objectives such as fielding a professional women’s side, enhancing our academy program, upgrading our facilities, and expanding our reach.”

While rumors had been swirling online for some time, mostly fed by club supporters in the know, the move did come as a surprise to the front office and other owners of NISA, the league in which Detroit City is still currently playing. According to Steve Johnson, NISA’s media specialist, the league was made aware of DCFC’s intentions to withdraw as a member this past Wednesday, November 3rd. This was confirmed by a separate club front office member.

During Detroit City’s announcement, the league released a statement titled “NISA Response to DCFC Departure Request.” In a tone that could charitably be described as blunt, the statement confirms that Detroit City is leaving NISA. The language states that the league wishes Detroit City well but with an important caveat that “they respect the legal agreements and obligations that the league and member clubs have forged together.” The statement does not describe those agreements and obligations.

The league calls Detroit City’s “sporting integrity” into question by pointing out that the club announced the move to USL Championship before the end of NISA’s fall 2021 season and that the club was “not fulfilling its commitment to the 2022 season.” The statement touts that “four great, new, independent clubs” will be joining the league in the spring and that “[i]t is surprising that Detroit City...has chosen ‘franchise’ over ‘club;’ ‘closed’ over ‘open.’” With those last statements NISA has made an obvious choice not to make a publicly amicable break with Detroit City as it did when Oakland Roots left for USL Championship just over a year ago. The suddenness of DCFC’s exit has left, according to Johnson, the league’s legal team still hashing out next steps.

While Detroit City has already clinched the fall championship, it is expected to play the remainder of the season in NISA, which at this point, is two away games - this Saturday at LA Force and November 20th at long-time rival club, Michigan Stars. DCFC ran away with the title this year in impressive form, currently at 41 points, 12 points clear of second place, so these matches are of little consequence to the club. It is not known if the issues between league and club will change either of these scheduled matches.

In further information given to Protagonist Soccer by the NISA front office, “DCFC had committed to the 2022 season, along with 13 other clubs. In fact, the club is on the NISA sanctioning application turned in to USSF ahead of the now past deadline. Clubs can only appear on one submission. DCFC appears on NISA's.”

- Protagonist Staff

Editor’s note: This article originally stated that NISA was “considering legal action.” That is not correct and was a misunderstanding on our part. We have corrected the article to more accurately reflect the league’s statement.