(WXYZ) — Detroit City Football Club will open the inaugural Founders Cup event during a match at Miami FC on Aug. 10, the team announced earlier this week.
DCFC is one of 11 clubs from across the U.S. to be part of the inaugural NPSL Founders Cup. Le Rouge will compete in the East Region, which also consist of the New York Cosmos, Chattanooga FC, Miami United, Milwaukee Torrent and Miami FC.
The West region will kick off on Aug. 24 and consist of ASC San Diego, Cal FC, Calfiornia United Strikers FC, FC Arizona and Oakland Roots.
While full team schedules haven't been released yet for the entire cup, the NPSL expects to announce them in the coming weeks at joint events throughout the country.
The semifinals for the event will be held at the home of the highest remaining seeds on Nov. 2 with the final at a location to be determined on Nov. 16. Next year, they expect a full league schedule from he spring to the fall in 2020.
In November, the team announced it was joining the Founders Cup, which involved a "full-time commitment to their markets and will include professional players, coaches, and staff."
That means they will be fielding players with professional contracts and playing a longer season.
"We are very excited about this new chapter for Detroit City FC – DCFC owners have been working hard to ensure a longer season for our supporters, our team and for our community, and we are thrilled that this is now a reality," DCFC Media Director Lindsey Pehrson said in a release.
Earlier this year, the team named Trevor James as the new head coach.
James, who has worked in the United States and in Europe will also be the club's manager, and has more than 30 years of coaching and scouting experience.
After retiring from professional soccer in 1985, James worked as a freelance scout for FC Barcelona in 1996-97, Newcastle in 2001-02, FC Porto in 1994-96, Sporting Lisbon in 1992 and for the England national team during the build-up to the 1990 World Cup.
He was also the assistant coach for the MLS' LA Galaxy from 2006-2010, serving under three head coaches, and had two stints as the team's interim head coach. Other MLS coaching jobs include the assistant head coach for the Portland Timbers and Director of Scouting and Assistant Technical Director for the Chicago Fire.
“Through an extensive coaching search, Trevor demonstrated an appreciation for our club and its potential,” DCFC CEO Sean Mann said in a release. “Most importantly, we’re excited to have Trevor’s years of experience building professional rosters as part of our organization as we start this next chapter for DCFC.”
“I am honored to lead Detroit City FC into this new and exciting period in club history,” James said. “I would like to thank Sean Mann and the ownership group; I look forward to having the opportunity to continue growing their vision and building a legacy for the club and the city.
"There is so much positive momentum as we move into the professional era of Detroit City FC with a shared vision and passion for the game and the community, and we will work tirelessly to field a team that reflects the values and passions of the club and its fantastic and loyal supporters," he added.
