THE DETROIT EXPRESS North American Soccer League (1968 - 1984)

The Detroit Express were members of the NASL from 1978 to 1980, based out of the Pontiac Silverdome. The Express were co-owned and managed by Jimmy Hill - an English soccer bigwig who was also the managing director and chairman of Coventry City Football Club.

The first and greatest star signed by the Express was Trevor Francis from England. Even though he missed the first third of the season, he ended up with 22 goals and 10 assists in 19 games. In fact, over his NASL career of 33 games he ended up with 36 goals and 18 assists. This put him one ahead of Pele on the all time NASL scoring list - even though he played 23 fewer games!

Despite having one of the greatest forwards in NASL history, the Express struggled with a 14-16 record and a 3rd place finish. Francis left the team in 1980, and with a declined fan base and another losing recod (14-18) the Express missed the playoffs.

Jimmy Hill decided to move the franchise to Washington D.C. to become the Washington Diplomats (who themselves lasted just one season before folding).

The Detroit Express name and logo lived on for a few more years in the American Soccer League and the team even enjoyed a league title in 1982, but the ASL itself folded in 1983.

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