The Detroit Rockers were an indoor soccer team in the National Professional Soccer League from 1990 to 2001. They played in Joe Louis Arena and Cobo Arena in downtown Detroit, Michigan, as well as The Palace of Auburn Hills and Compuware Sports Arena in the suburbs. For a time, they were led by star player-coach Andy Chapman until he was lured away by the more deep-pocketed Detroit Neon in 1994. The big stars of the Rockers included Drago Dumbovic and goalie Bryan "Goose" Finnerty. The Rockers won the 1991–1992 NPSL Championship. The Rockers outlasted the home-town rival Neon only because the Neon folded with their league the CISL.The Rockers themselves finally folded in 2001 when the NPSL ceased operations. Until the Rockers folded, they were owned by businessmen from Walled Lake.
Year-by-year YearLeagueReg. seasonPlayoffsOwner(s)Avg. attendance1990–91NPSL3rd, AmericanSemifinalsN/A4,0311991–92NPSL3rd, AmericanChampionsN/A3,4161992–93NPSL6th, AmericanDid not qualifyMichael & Marian llitch3,3691993–94NPSL2nd, National2nd RoundMichael & Marian llitch5,2011994–95NPSL4th, National1st RoundMichael & Marian llitch4,3311995–96NPSL5th, NationalDid not qualifyMichael & Marian llitch4,5261996–97NPSL3rd, National NorthDid not qualifyN/A5,1011997–98NPSL4th, National NorthDid not qualifyN/A5,4081998–99NPSL3rd, National NorthDid not qualifyN/A5,4581999–00NPSL3rd, National NorthDid not qualifyN/A4,0982000–01NPSL5th, NationalDid not qualifyN/A2,990
Ownership & Staff David Woodrow – Co-Owner / General Manager Gary Miller – Co-Owner / General Manager
Coaches Brian Tinnion 1990–1994 Pato Margetic 1994–1999 Drago 1999–2000 Brian Tinnion 2000–2001
Honors MVP Andy Chapman: 1991 Dan O'Keefe: 1992
Leading scorer Andy Chapman: 1991 Dan O'Keefe: 1992
Defender of the Year Sean Bowers: 1994, 1995
Rookie of the Year Goose Finnerty: 1991 Sean Bowers: 1992 Jason Willen: 1996 Travis Roy: 1998
Coach of the Year Brian Tinnion: 1991
First Team All Star 1991: Andy Chapman 1992: Dan O'Keefe 1993: Sean Bowers 1994: Sean Bowers, Andy Chapman 1995: Sean Bowers 1997: Dennis Brose
Media coverage In Detroit, the Rockers could be seen on Barden Cablevision and Pro-Am Sports System with Ian Parratt, Brian Tinnion, and Detroit Free Press columnist Bill Roose among the commentators.
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