Cavaliers Owner Dan Gilbert and Pistons Owner Tom Gores are attempting to bring an MLS team to Detroit, and the question now becomes "what will happen" to Detroit City FC "if MLS shows up," according to Noah Trister of the AP. Detroit City, which plays in the National Premier Soccer League, this season drew about 5,000 fans a game to Keyworth Stadium, and its growth is a "testament to soccer's grassroots appeal" in the U.S. Detroit City co-Owner Alex Wright said, "It's a tightrope. It's going to take some time and some conversation." Trister noted Gilbert and Gores' group "has been quick to praise DCFC." Palace Sports & Entertainment Vice Chair Arn Tellem said that he has "met with the DCFC hierarchy, and he raves about the experience at the team's games." But Trister noted it is "not yet clear how, specifically, the MLS group and DCFC might work together." Elevating DCFC to MLS status "would be one way to try to preserve the club's charm and grassroots appeal." But Gilbert and Gores would "likely have some work to do to win over the trust of some of the local fans." The proposed MLS expansion team could start playing in Detroit by '20, but that "still leaves DCFC plenty of time to build an even greater following." If the MLS stadium issue is "resolved and Detroit is indeed granted a team, talks between the MLS group and DCFC figure to take on much more significance." Tellem: "We can learn a lot from them and we will. Every time I'm with them, I leave feeling more positive that we have to do this together" (AP, 8/17).
