Gold Star FC Detroit is an American professional soccer team based in Livonia, Michigan in Metro Detroit, that is an inactive member of the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA), on the third tier of the United States soccer league system.
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| Full name | Gold Star FC Detroit | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Nickname(s) | Gold Star | ||
| Founded | 2022 | ||
| Owner | Daniel Milstein | ||
| Head Coach | Alex Lubyansky | ||
| League | National Independent Soccer Association | ||
| Website | https://goldstardetroit.com/ | ||
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History
editFounding
editOn July 22, 2022, after Gold Star Sports Management Group, led by Ukrainian-American Entrepreneur, Daniel Milstein, announced to acquire an Andorran football club FC Santa Coloma,[1] the club was established on the same day after being granted entry into the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA).[2] On October 18, 2022, Gold Star FC Detroit announced that the team's CEO and general manager, Alex Lubyansky would be the first head coach for their inaugural season.[3]
Financial struggles
editJust two months into their inaugural season, it was reported Gold Star FC Detroit had lost its funding source and was "in deep (financial) trouble".[4]
First season
editIn the 2023 season, Gold Star FC finished ninth out of nine clubs in the single table, with a record of 3 wins, 3 draws, 18 losses, and 12 points from 24 games.
Hiatus
editOn February 16, 2024, the league announced that Gold Star would go on hiatus for the 2024 season. The club will be under new ownership, with plans to re-brand and return to play in 2025.[5]
Stadium
editGold Star FC Detroit announced it would construct a 5,000 capacity stadium on the grounds of Madonna University, behind the former Ladywood High School in Livonia, Michigan.[6] [7]
The team intended to play in the newly built stadium for its first home match in Spring 2023, but that deadline came with no progress. On May 11, two months into the season, the club confirmed that it would indeed be playing all its games in Madonna University's existing stadium.[8] By September, the planned new stadium had been abandoned over a lack of financing.[9]
References
edit- ^ "Gold Star FC announces the acquisition of FC Santa Coloma". July 22, 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
- ^ "Gold Star FC Approved as Newest Elected Member of the National Independent Soccer Association". www.nisasoccer.com. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
- ^ "Alex Lubyansky announced as Head Coach for Gold Star Detroit FC". October 18, 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
- ^ @KnightsWhoNISA (May 11, 2023). "We've heard from multiple sources that Gold Star Detroit has lost its funding and in deep trouble" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "NISA Announces 2024 Clubs and Format". nisaofficial.com. National Independent Soccer Association. 16 February 2024. Retrieved 21 February 2024.
- ^ Bekemeyer, Jake (2022-12-01). "Soccer Stadium by Gold Star Detroit FC Coming to Madonna University". DBusiness Magazine. Retrieved 2023-02-16.
- ^ "Gold Star Detroit FC, Madonna University announce plans for 5,000-seat stadium in Livonia". The Detroit News. November 22, 2022. Retrieved 2023-04-01.
- ^ @GoldStarFCDet (May 11, 2023). "An update from GM and Head Coach Alex Lubyansky on our stadium" (Tweet) – via Twitter.
- ^ "Plans for new football stadium at Madonna appear to be scrapped". detroitnews.com. The Detroit News. 4 September 2023. Retrieved 21 February 2024.