"[8] and Sean Spence, the editor of SB Nation's Chicago Fire [1] blog, wrote that "When association football takes over the USA...It will be because of ultras like the Northern Guard, Detroit City FC's rabid, profane, hilarious supporters group.

"[9] Founded in 2012 by brothers Gene and Ken Butcher,[10] the Northern Guard brought drums, smoke bombs, flares and flags to the first-ever DCFC match to create an atmosphere similar to European supporter stands.

SB Nation soccer editor Sean Spence wrote that "...despite the presence of several families in their midst, they are loudly, hilariously vulgar, and use profanity with a ferociousness and familiarity that is almost admirable."

In the 2013–14 offseason, the Northern Guard offered a scarf for sale with the words "FUCK OHIO" on one side, which received attention in the U.S. soccer community when one was shown on the ESPN broadcast of the 2014 MLS All-Star Game.

[17] In 2012, members of the Northern Guard founded Hooligans for Heroes (H4H), a nonprofit that engages soccer supporters on behalf of wounded veterans of the United States Armed Forces.

[18] On June 29, 2014, soccer referee John Bieniewicz was assaulted by Baseel Abdul Amir Saad, a player in an amateur match he was officiating in the suburbs of Detroit.