In the seventies, a new force emerged in the city of Detroit. A force that not only represented the city on the field, but also captured the hearts of the people of Detroit and the entire nation. That force was the Detroit Express.
The Detroit Express was a professional soccer team that played in the North American Soccer League from 1978. They played their home games at the Pontiac Silverdome. The team was co-owned by Jimmy Hill, Roger Faulkner, Sonny VanArnem, and Gary Lemmen.
The Express made a big impact by signing England forward Trevor Francis. He arrived late to the team missing the first third of the season, but still led the team with 22 goals and ten assists in 19 games. Francis scored five times as the Express crushed the San Jose Earthquakes, 10–0, which as of 2021 is still the widest margin of victory in an American major pro soccer match (NASL or MLS). The Express also won the American Soccer League title in 1982.
The Detroit Express represented not just a team, but a symbol of the city’s passion for soccer and the determination to succeed. They were a shining example of what can be achieved when a group of individuals come together and work towards a common goal. And as we continue to strive for greatness in the world of football, let us remember the lessons of the Detroit Express and the legends that played for them.
