The Detroit Express was an American soccer team based in Detroit, Michigan and a member of the American Soccer League. They joined the league in 1981 after the original NASL Express were moved to Washington D.C. to replace the Diplomats who had folded at the end of 1980. The ASL Express played their home games in the Pontiac Silverdome and then at Tartar Field on the campus of Wayne State University.
The 1981 Express finished second in the Freedom Division with a 15 win, 11 loss and 2 tie record. Mike Mancini was the leading scorer for Detroit with 16 goals, followed by Brian Tinnion with 9. The Express advanced to the second round of the playoffs with a 4–1 defeat of the New York Eagles, but were knocked out of the semi-finals 1–1 and 1–2 by New York United.
The 1982 ASL consisted of 7 teams in one division. With 19 wins, 4 ties, and 5 losses, The Express had the best record in the league. They then won the championship, defeating the Georgia Generals in the semi-finals and the Oklahoma City Slickers in the finals. Detroit players Brian Tinnion, Andy Chapman, and Billy Boljevic were 1, 2 and 4 overall in league scoring. And goal keeper Tad DeLorm had the best goals against average in the league.
By 1983 the league had shrunk down to 6 teams, but returned to the 2 division format. The Express struggled to a 12–13 record (the league instituted a shootout rule for the season) to finish 2nd in the Western Division behind the Dallas Americans, and did not make the playoffs. Billy Boljevic and Andy Chapman led the team in scoring with 9 goals each.
In the early months of 1984, the ASL, which had been in a period of decline for several years, finally collapsed as most of its last few active teams elected to either fold or join a new league being formed by the owners of the Jacksonville Tea Men and Dallas Americans, the United Soccer League. Express owner Sonny Van Arnem took steps towards joining this new league, but he ultimately decided against it due to the league not being sanctioned by the USSF. Unable to find another home in an indoor league, the club closed up shop shortly afterwards.
Yearly awards ASL All-Star Team 1981 – Steve Westbrook 1982 – Chris Tyson
ASL Leading Goal Scorer 1982 – Brian Tinnion (22 Goals)
ASL Leading Points Scorer 1982 – Brian Tinnion (59 Points)
ASL MVP 1982 – Brian Tinnion
ASL Leading Goalkeeper 1982 – Tad DeLorm
Year-by-year YearDivisionLeagueWLTPtsReg. seasonPlayoffsU.S. Open Cup19812ASL151121252nd, FreedomSemifinals (lost to New York United)Did not enter19822ASL19541441stChampionDid not enter19832ASL1213—982nd, WesternDid not qualifyDid not enter
References
it:Detroit Express