Groundhopping: Detroit City FC vs. Greater Binghamton FC

My regional groundhopping would go see a match that would involving first versus last, undefeated in five Detroit City FC vs. winless in six Greater Binghamton FC. This match was originally scheduled for a 1:00PM start but was bumped back to 12:00PM. I am not sure why this was, but I do know that the Detroit Grand Prix and the baseball Tigers vs. Yankees were all happening in the city.

So one might ask why I would just randomly go to a fourth division match. For starters, I love the game so much that any level would suit my liking. But it was not only seeing a match that brought me to Detroit, but rather the supporter culture of DCFC. For the first home match of the season, DCFC supporters would make a display (vs. rivals AFC Cleveland) that even those of us in the higher ranks of MLS have to respect.

So as a neutral, I would look forward to seeing what they had to offer on this wonderful day for a match. I just happened to know a couple of people that also attend Columbus matches Bradd and his wife Mary. Bradd could be considered one of the top guys in not only his supporter group but in the local and regional Michigan soccer scene. Finding the stadium was fairly easy enough, as with everything involving a GPS. So I would park right across the street from the stadium and walk to where a group of supporters hang out before and after matches.  As I approached the place, two men were out at near the entrance, one of which I would find out was a drummer for the supporters. They stood around like bouncers though, and I was bracing for a bit of a hard time, but once I mentioned Bradd, all was good. I would meet up with Bradd and we discussed the positive progress that was being made on the supporter scene in Detroit for this club. I would see evidence of this as the group of people inside were warming up their vocals in song/chant for their team. This place had the typical bar food, to which I would have chicken tenders and fries.

DCFC play their home matches at Cass Tech Stadium, a ground that has a listed capacity of 3,000. Like many grounds in lower divisions, this one was at a high school stadium meant for American football. The main stand housed the pressbox, The players benches were actually also in these stands closer to the center where they enter the field. The supporter groups and those wanting to be more vocal were across the field.  I found the city skyline as a backdrop to be a nice balance to what is basically a simple ground. Speaking of group, the field grass seemed a bit thick, but that is the case with American football grass fields.

Players entrance. Steps lead to their benches.

As to the match itself, the first 15 minutes was a bit of a feeling out process, but by halftime, DCFC would

be up 2-0. The home supporters were in full voice during that first half and for a lower division side showed just as much passion as those in MLS. Sadly, there were zero fans from Greater Binghamton. After goals the light colored smoke bombs (red, blue, a yellow, maybe a couple of flares also). In the second half, DCFC would play a better possession game and show why they are in first place, scoring two more. The home supporters were starting to run out of smoke bombs to light due to the buffet of goals being scored.  One of the goals was scored by former Columbus striker Knox Cameron, a big bruiser of a striker who lives and breathes Detroit. His paying job is for DTE, an energy company.  Overall, the synergy between players and supporters manifested itself in a major way.

As far as food amenities, the only concessions from inside the stadium were candy and soda pop and water from a cooler. There was a food truck just outside the main stand. El Guapo, a taco truck, ended up running out of food during halftime. 

The stewards were for the most part friendly and there were several Detroit PD in uniform, and for some reason a couple of undercover officers. Due to this being at a high school, no alcohol was inside the ground, so not much trouble from people. One odd thing that happened though was at halftime, people would leave the stadium to go to their vehicles, perhaps to get a few swigs of booze, some food, or whatever else. Also odd was when I went to go to the restroom, there was was a Greater Binghamton player there. Don't see that in much MLS that's for sure. Leaving the ground was a piece of cake not just because of my parking right across the street, but also the highway was not too far away. One thing that one supporter mentioned to me was due to the location of the stadium, night matches would surely require a buddy system. The stadium and school tell the story of a city with high hopes (technologically speaking), but the surrounding areas were run down a bit and there were several homeless types milling about. 

So overall the the day was just as perfect as could be. Comfortable temperatures, fans being fanatical about their team and the team coming through with a win. Also it was awesome seeing Columbus mates doing positive things for their local club.