DEARBORN HEIGHTS — Dearborn Stars Enterprise has established two new soccer teams, the Michigan Stars Football Club (MSFC) for men and the Motor City Football Club (MCFC) for young women.

The announcement was made during a press conference on Wednesday, Jan. 8 at the HYPE Recreation Center in Dearborn Heights. 

Community leaders and elected officials including Mayor Dan Paletko, Dearborn City Council President Susan Dabaja and Dearborn City Councilman Mike Sareini attended the conference.  

The MCFC is now the first Women’s semi-professional soccer team in Michigan.

“Not only does the city of Dearborn and Dearborn Heights need a soccer team, but the state of Michigan needs a soccer team. We believe we are that team. We are going to give girls a dream to play soccer at the highest level in Michigan and that is one of our biggest goals,” said MCFC Coach Skipper Mukhtar. 

Two new local soccer teams established, one for women.

In the Middle East, Europe, Africa and other parts of the world, soccer is referred to as football, which is why the new teams use the term in their names. 

Both teams will join the Dearborn Stars Soccer Club (DSSC), establishing the foundation of the Dearborn Sports Enterprise. 

Started in 1982, the DSSC has enriched the lives of young people and adults through the sport.  

The DSSC will be celebrating its 32nd anniversary in 2014. The teams will help turn Dearborn and Dearborn Heights into “Cities of Soccer” in Michigan. 

Ned Fawaz, the CEO of both Energy International Corp. and Dearborn Sports Enterprise says both cities are diverse with people from countries around the world where soccer is the premier sport. 

“Soccer is the greatest sport on the planet. It is not that big here in the States, but it will be,” Fawaz said. 

“We want to bring the sport to Dearborn and Dearborn Heights. Why? Because they love soccer. Every time I go to my barbershop, all he does is watch soccer. I go to a supermarket, all they do is watch soccer. I go to my friends, all they do is watch soccer. We want to be number one in the state and country, and we can do it,” Fawaz said. 

Attorney Shereef Akeel, one of the Dearborn Enterprise board members who introduced the teams at the conference, says the MSFC and MCFC will be competing nationally as well as playing locally during the months of May through July. 

Dearborn Sports Enterprise will be bringing together former national team players, professionals and current and former top-level players. 

“Parents and families from the greater Dearborn area and surrounding cities will have access to watch top notch soccer games played here,” Akeel said. 

Many of the players were present at the press conference, including two women from the MCFC.  Despite working and being a student at Northwood University, Alyssa Tomassi still manages to make time soccer.

“I would say it is better to be busy than not do anything at all. I think it is a good balance of your life and you learn how to prioritize things and manage your time wisely. It kind of gives you that release that everyone wants when you can just go have fun and play,” Tomassi said.  

The DSSC was initially established by Ali Jawad who is also a founding member of the Lebanese American Heritage Club.