Welcome to the Soccer Tavern, where we’re discussing the history, culture, and philosophy of the beautiful game. My name is Dave and in this video, we’re talking about the history of DeKalb County United. Pull up a seat and let’s start the discussion.
DeKalb County United is located in DeKalb County, Illinois. DeKalb County is located halfway across the state of Illinois between Chicago and Iowa. Illinois is located in the midwestern part of the United States.
The club competes in the Midwest Premier League, which is a member-run soccer league for elite amateur and semi-professional clubs in the Midwestern part of the United States. US Soccer does not have a fully functional pyramid, but the Midwest Premier League is likely the equivalent of a 5th division league if US had a proper pyramid.
DeKalb County United’s home ground is the Northern Illinois University Soccer Complex in DeKalb, IL. It holds about 1800 people.
Origin
DeKalb County United started as a dream that the community of DeKalb could have a local semi-pro club to support. It would also provide a platform for young local players to advance in the game after high school. In January of 2017, John Hall and Colby Newquist began talking about the idea, how to bring it to life, what the mission would be, and how to fund it. With a vision, no money and a whole lot of passion, the work began.
In the summer of 2017 the club launched as a nonprofit, managed by a Board of Directors. Work began to bring in sponsors, meet with local clubs, and tell the story of what the club would represent for the community. The first round of open tryouts saw 126 players attend as the club was preparing for the 2018 season in the UPSL. And like that…the seed was planted.
The club had 254 season ticket holders for its inaugural campaign.
Now heading into the club’s 3rd season, numerous events have been hosted by the club to engage the community including youth goalkeeper and striker camps, futsal tournament and a street soccer tournament. In 2018, The club also hosted a “DKCU Shoots Out Hunger” Foot Darts tournament that raised $5800 for the charity Move for Hunger.
As part of the club’s mission, partnerships exist with several local youth organizations at both the rec level and competitive club level in the area. The club strives not to compete with these youth organizations, but rather to support them as each serves its own purpose within the local soccer landscape.
The club’s origin is a real grassroots success story in American soccer.
Nickname
DKCU’s nickname is The Greens. “The Greens” comes from the green home kits worn by the team. It also helps that local clubs and schools do not wear green, so it’s a unique color for the team in the area.
Crest
The club’s crest was drawn by a local artist.
At the very top of the crest is barbed wire. Barbed wire was actually invented in DeKalb, IL in 1873 and the club included it in its crest as a nod to this influential invention.
With the strong agricultural history of the area, the yellow soccer ball and leaves underneath, look like an ear of corn. The ball is growing from nothing…just like the club.
A club like DKCU will never stop growing as long as the community continues to nurture it and that is the main message of the crest.
Important Events
I’d like to highlight 5 important events in the club’s history in this section.
The first came on April 4, 2018, which was the club’s inaugural Season Kickoff Party. For the first time, the team, supporters, sponsors, and community members gathered to celebrate the creation of the new club. Several hundred people attended and the club’s first ever kits were unveiled.
The next event happened 10 days later on April 14, 2018 when the club held its first ever friendly match. Due to the unpredictable midwest weather in April, DeKalb County’s first ever match was hosted indoors. First year side Old Bhoys SC from Indianapolis traveled to DeKalb and the Greens won 6-0 in front of a full house of 283 people. Carlos Gallardo scored the club’s first ever goal.
After an undefeated pre-season, the club was disappointed to drop its first league match away at Elgin Pumas. But a week later, on May 24, 2018, the club got its first league win. DKCU opened its home stadium for league play and defeated Joliet United 3-1 with 340 in attendance on this day.
Late in DeKalb County’s first season, it hosted the closest geographical rival of Aurora Borealis Soccer Club. After losing on the road earlier in the season, there was a strong push to fill the stands for this Friday night fixture on July 13, 2018. Although, DKCU would eventually drop the points at home, had a club record 523 fans in attendance for its first Blackout game.
And the final event I’d like to highlight came on July 22, 2018. After a long first season in the UPSL, United hosted Union Dubuque in the last regular season match of the inaugural campaign. The two first year clubs battled evenly until the 92nd minute when local boy Chad Newquist scored the winner in a scrum in front of goal. 342 fans erupted as DKCU made it a clean sweep against their Iowa rivals. Most importantly, the fans, players, coaches and volunteer staff moved into the off-season with a positive memory.
Supporters
The club’s first supporters group is called the “Silo Supporters.” Despite relatively small numbers, this group created a lot of noise at both home and away matches.
Noteworthy Players
I’d like to highlight 3 players in this section & two of the players have moved on to professional opportunities.
First, I’d like to mention Martin Jimenez. Martin was a big goalkeeper for the club and left United to join the Real Villadolid academy in La Liga in 2018.
The next player I’d like to mention is Leo Lenth. Leo left United in 2019 to join Milwaukee Torrent of the NPSL Members Cup. An upstart professional league in the United States.
The final player I’d like to highlight is Alberto (Beto) Martinez. Beto is the club’s all-time leader in goals scored with 14. He’s chipped in 7 assists in all competitions as well.
Noteworthy Managers
Michael Gecan was brought in as the club’s first head coach in late 2017. With strong ties to the community and a long career at the helm of various programs, Gecan became the club’s first gaffer and helped put together the initial roster. He led the club to a 5th place spot in 2018 and improved to a second place finish in 2019. Gecan remains in charge of the first team heading into 2020.
Rivals
The club has one main rival: Union Dubuque.
The two are like-minded clubs with strong commitments to the communities that they represent. Union and United have met 4 times on the field. Off the field the club’s leadership groups work together to share ideas and strategies to make them stronger. But on the field, this rivalry is quickly becoming one of the best in the Midwest.
Stats & Records
The stats and records we’re about to discuss are as of November 2019, which is when we are recording this video.
DKCU spent two seasons in the UPSL before making the decision to join the upstart Midwest Premier League for 2020. Through those two campaigns the club recorded 7 wins, 8 losses and 3 draws. United are 15-9-5 in all competitions.
The club’s trophy cabinet is currently empty, but the Illinois State Cup and the Midwest Premier League are both targets for the club in 2020.
The club’s record goal scorer is Beto Martinez 14 goals.
And a few last interesting facts about the club:
In 2020, United will run a men’s and women’s u23 team in addition to its first team. Not many lower league clubs in the US operate 3 teams, so it is very impressive from United. Additionally, the club continues to be managed by volunteers. All operational expenses for the club come from sponsors, ticket sales, merchandise and camps or tournaments hosted by the club.
Lastly, the club also has its own beer called “815 Brewnited” through the Forge Brewhouse in DeKalb. A portion of all beer sales go back to the club.
So there you have it… a bit of history on DeKalb County United. Let’s continue the discussion in the comments section below the video.
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