Detroit Arsenal (soccer)

Detroit Arsenal was an American soccer team, founded in 1997. The club initially played under the USASA and won the National Championship title in 1999 and 2000, prior to joining the Midwest Conference of the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid, in 2005.

Detroit Arsenal
Club crest
Full nameDetroit Arsenal Soccer Club
Nickname(s)Arsenal
Founded1997
Dissolved2006
GroundHurley Field
Berkley, Michigan, U.S.
Capacity10,000
ManagerWaad Sana
LeagueNational Premier Soccer League
20062nd, Midwest Conference
Playoffs: DNQ

The Arsenal played their home matches at Hurley Field on the grounds of Berkley High School in the city of Berkley, Michigan, 17 miles (27 km) north of downtown Detroit. The team's colors were black, silver and white.

The Arsenal were NPSL champions in 2005, their first year in the competition following the league's expansion into the Midwest.

Following the 2006 NPSL season, the team's management announced that they would spend the 2007 season on hiatus.[citation needed] The team never returned.

History edit

Detroit Arsenal joined the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), considered the fourth tier of the American soccer pyramid and roughly equal to the USL Premier Development League (PDL), for the 2005 season alongside seven other clubs as part of the league's expansion into the American Midwest.

The Arsenal would have a very successful first season, going undefeated in the regular season with a record of 8 wins, 0 losses and 2 draws, with a league-leading 42 goals for and only 5 against. The club would advance to the play-off finals, defeating the Sonoma County Sol to win the NPSL Championship 1-0.[1]

In their second season in 2006, the Arsenal finished in 2nd in the Midwest Conference with a record of 7–2–1. The club folded in the off season.[1]

Year-by-year edit

Year Division League Reg. Season Playoffs Open Cup
2005 4 NPSL 1st, Midwest Champions Did not qualify
2006 4 NPSL 2nd, Midwest Did not qualify Did not qualify

Honors edit

  • NPSL Champions 2005
  • NPSL Midwest Division Champions 2005

References edit

  1. ^ a b David Litterer (October 30, 2011). "National Premier Soccer League". American Soccer History Archives. Archived from the original on November 5, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2014.