With the recent news that Comerica Park would be hosting the International Champions Cup, it seems the attitude to bring soccer to Detroit is strengthing.
Chris Ilitch, CEO and President of Ilitch Holdings Inc. that scheduled the soccer match in Comerica Park, expressed a great deal of support for the world’s most popular sport coming to the Motor City.
Ilitch was quoted by the Detroit Free Press as stating:
“Soccer is bigger than ever,” Ilitch said. “As we stand here today we are proud to say that Detroit is the only city in North America that has all four of its major professional sports teams within four blocks of each other in a downtown core. And it would be great to make it five someday.”
“I think it would be great for our community and it would be great for Detroit as a sports city. So I’m supportive of that.”
He also commented on the growing support of soccer countrywide; specifically with his children, while also mentioning the youth soccer movement in Michigan has over 100,000 participants.
“Detroit is known as one of, if not, the best sports town in America,” Ilitch said. “I think the growth in the sport of soccer is undeniable worldwide and in the United States. The younger generation loves this sport. I see it with my own three children, who all play soccer. My passion for the sport has grown as I’ve seen it through their eyes and their passion for it.”
