District Elite FC Steps Into the Local Spotlight in Inaugural NPSL Season
In the Foxhall neighborhood of Washington D.C., nestled between the lush summer greenery and the stately brick buildings of George Washington University’s campus, a new chapter in D.C. soccer is quietly being written. District Elite FC, a club once solely devoted to youth development, is now stepping into the semi-professional ranks with its debut season in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).
Founded in 2012, District Elite began as a local youth soccer club under the name DC Youth Football Club (DCYFC) with a clear mission: develop talent in the D.C. area and provide a platform for young players to grow. This Summer, they’ve taken the next step, building a bridge between youth soccer and the semi-pro level and doing it with style and purpose.
A local team with sleek branding, a nice kit, and in their first season? You bet it peaked my attention. On this sunny Wednesday evening, they were matched up against DMV Elite FC, a squad with a somewhat confusingly similar name and off to a solid start in the early stages of the season.
Match Day in Foxhall
I arrived at the intimate turf field about an hour before kickoff. The setting was picturesque—summer shadows across the field, framed by tree-lined walkways and university buildings. It was pretty.
A joyful energy filled the air as District’s players warmed up with a mix of joy and professionalism, dancing to the pregame music on the speakers and exuding an authentic love for what they were doing.
Soon enough, the public address system came to life. Lineups (made up entirely of local players) were announced, and a crowd of young athletes, mostly from District Elite’s youth teams, filed into the stands and gathered on the sidelines. They would serve as mascots and ball kids, creating an adorably wholesome link between the youth teams and the NPSL team.
When the whistle blew, DMV Elite came out fast and physical. They looked hungry and wanted to build on their 3-1 win over the weekend against Virginia Beach City FC. District weathered the early pressure, but it wasn’t long before DMV struck. A spectacular goal lit up the first half—a slick cutback on the right wing followed by a curling, looping shot that soared over District’s goalkeeper. The crowd sighed, yet it couldn’t help but be impressed by the wonder goal.
Despite the deficit, the first half was strong for District. They moved the ball well, found good spaces, and showed flashes of creativity and technical ability. It was certainly a high level of soccer from both sides.
Kids flooded the field for some chaotic halftime scrimmages, running around with joy while parents, coaches, and other fans mingled in the stands.
On the grassy berm across from the main stand, I had the pleasure of chatting with João Brusamolin, Executive Director at District Elite FC and one of the architects behind the leap to the NPSL. As the second half kicked off, we dove into a fascinating conversation about the origins of the club and its NPSL ambitions.
A Vision Rooted in Community
“We knew D.C. is very well known for the players we create,” João told me. “But unfortunately, as they get older, they go somewhere else and play for teams that are not from D.C. So we decided, by bringing this [NPSL] team here, we give our academy players a future with us. A chance to play at a higher level, go to college, and come back to represent the city.”
As he spoke, a youth player in an old “DCYFC” jersey walked by, greeted him with a wide smile, and received a fist bump. “This is the last season the kids wear those jerseys,” João said, smiling. “In the Fall, it’ll all be ‘District Elite.’ The NPSL team is part of the rebranding. We thought about bringing something where our young players could engage, be motivated, and be proud to represent the club and the local name. We thought this could create the sense of community we wanna build.”
The connection to Brazil also runs deep. “We have a great relationship over there,” he said. “We bring Brazilian coaches over in the summer for camps, and some of our players go down there to train and compete. It’s about making the distance between Washington, D.C., and Brazil feel shorter.”
Born and raised in Brazil, João played at the University of the District of Columbia (UDC) after transferring from his home country. He finished undergrad with a degree in electrical engineering. “Then after I graduated, my dad called me and was like ‘Hey what’s next? What kind of company are you looking for?’ and I didn’t have an answer,” he told me. “I called him back a week later and said I wanted to do something I really love.”
He landed as a grad assistant at Catholic University, continuing to build his coaching experience before ending up at District Elite. “I was very motivated,” he said. “I wanted to build something real.”
Building a Pro Environment
District Elite’s roster reflects a professional ambition. “These boys want a serious place to play,” João explained. “Most of them have trained with Loudoun United, some with D.C. United. They want professional facilities, professional coaching, a crowd to play in front of. So that’s what we opened up to them.”
The second half kicked off, but District was quickly dealt a blow. A miscommunication between the keeper and backline gifted DMV their second goal, an unfortunate moment that sealed a 2–0 loss. But even in defeat, the atmosphere remained an optimistic one.
In just its first season, District Elite FC is becoming something real in the community. The impressive crowd of 357 attendees were packed into the main stand, filled with neighborhood locals, youth players, and families. I asked João what it meant seeing the community at the game.
“It brings us back to the original goal: engaging the community and seeing the young players be represented by those guys,” he said. “The community bought into the idea and they support everything we do. That’s what soccer’s about: representing your community, your club, and making your club better,” he said cheerfully.
“This,” João said, gesturing to the full stands and bustling sidelines, “is kind of everything we imagined.”
District Elite may be new to the NPSL, but they’re already winning where it matters most: in culture, in vision, and in the community. The results on the scoreboard will come. What they’re building in Foxhall is bigger than just one season: it’s a grassroots effort to give the local community something of their own, something they created, something to be proud of.
