2019–20 Michigan Stars FC season

The 2019–20 Michigan Stars FC season was the club's first season playing in the National Independent Soccer Association, a newly established third division soccer league in the United States, and first professional season.

Michigan Stars FC
2019–20 NISA season
ManagerGeorge Juncaj
Head coachAlexander Strehmel
StadiumUltimate Soccer Arenas
Pontiac, Michigan
NISAFall: N/A
Spring: 8th
PlayoffsFall: N/A
Spring: N/A
U.S. Open CupCancelled
Top goalscorerLeague: Travis Ward (1)
All: Travis Ward (1)
Biggest defeat1 goal:
1–0
(February 29 vs. Cal United)
2–1
(March 7 vs. Oakland)

Overview

Michigan Stars FC was admitted into the National Independent Soccer Association on September 23, 2019 and latter fully accepted by the U.S. Soccer Federation on December 11, 2019, and will start competing in the 2020 Spring season.[1] The team will play its home matches at a temporary outdoor venue at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas in Pontiac, Michigan, the same complex the team used during the 2019 NPSL season and Members Cup tournament where it played indoors.[2]

On April 27, 2020, following a stoppage of play and subsequent extension due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NISA announced the cancellation of the 2020 Spring season.[3][4][5]

Club

Roster

As of March 11, 2020.[6]

No. Pos. Nat. Name Date of birth (age) Since
1GKArshia Aghababazadeh (1995-11-05) November 5, 19952020
2DFTekodah Lobsiger (1995-02-14) February 14, 19952020
3DFGonnie Ben-Tal (1995-07-24) July 24, 19952019
4DFRobert Juncaj (2001-10-15) October 15, 20012019
5DFJoseph Aidoo (1995-08-24) August 24, 19952019
6MFRemy Tazifor (1995-03-05) March 5, 19952019
7MFSteven Juncaj (1998-03-08) March 8, 19982019
8MFZanin Mahic (1992-06-19) June 19, 19922020
9MFNenad Markovic (1993-06-11) June 11, 19932020
10FWKyle Nuel (captain) (1993-07-02) July 2, 19932019
11FWTravis Ward (1996-05-09) May 9, 19962020
12GKSergio Orozco (1994-04-09) April 9, 19942020
14FWAlexander Satrústegui (1994-01-01) January 1, 19942020
15DFAndrés Chalbaud (1994-12-26) December 26, 19942020
16GKTatenda Mkuruva (1996-01-04) January 4, 19962019
17DFAlexandre Frank (1995-08-01) August 1, 19952020
19DFCameron Schneider (1997-04-21) April 21, 19972020
20MFNils Valdmanis (1997-08-08) August 8, 19972020
21MFZachary Reynolds (1994-02-15) February 15, 19942020
22DFAdil Gowani (1994-06-02) June 2, 19942020
23DFPatrick Sullivan (1994-08-25) August 25, 19942019
25DFJames Abraham (1993-09-17) September 17, 19932019
26DFTerence Smith (1991-09-23) September 23, 19912020
29FWJames Pipe (1996-03-18) March 18, 19962020
31MFJannik Eckenrode (1993-12-13) December 13, 19932020

Coaching staff
Name Position
Alexander Strehmel Head coach

Transfers

Transfers In
Date from Position Player Last team Type Ref.
February 19, 2020 MF Steven Juncaj Michigan Stars FC (NPSL) Free transfer [7]
February 19, 2020 GK Tatenda Mkuruva Michigan Stars FC (NPSL) Free transfer [7][8][9]
February 19, 2020 DF James Abraham Michigan Stars FC (NPSL) Free transfer [7]
February 20, 2020 MF Remy Tazifor Michigan Stars FC (NPSL) Free transfer [10]
February 20, 2020 DF Gonnie Ben-Tal Michigan Stars FC (NPSL) Free transfer [10]
February 20, 2020 DF Joseph Aidoo Michigan Stars FC (NPSL) Free transfer [10]
February 20, 2020 DF Robert Juncaj Michigan Stars FC (NPSL) Free transfer [11]
February 20, 2020 FW Kyle Nuel Michigan Stars FC (NPSL) Free transfer [11]
February 20, 2020 DF Patrick Sullivan Michigan Stars FC (NPSL) Free transfer [11]
February 20, 2020 FW Travis Ward Greenville Triumph SC Free transfer [12]
February 20, 2020 DF Cameron Schneider Philadelphia Fury Free transfer [12]
February 20, 2020 MF Zanin Mahic East Bay FC Stompers Free transfer [12]
February 21, 2020 GK Arshia Aghababazadeh Los Angeles Force Free transfer [13]
February 21, 2020 GK Sergio Orozco Unattached Free transfer [13]
February 21, 2020 DF Adil Gowani Atlanta SC Free transfer [14]
February 21, 2020 MF Zachary Reynolds Säffle FF Free transfer [14]
February 21, 2020 DF Andrés Chalbaud AFC Ann Arbor Free transfer [14]
February 22, 2020 MF Nenad Markovic St. Mary's Rattlers Free transfer [15][16]
February 22, 2020 MF Nils Valdmanis Kalamazoo FC Free transfer [15]
February 22, 2020 DF Alexandre Frank Western Mass Pioneers Free transfer [15]
February 22, 2020 FW Alexander Satrústegui Atlantic City FC Free transfer [17]
February 22, 2020 DF Terence Smith Unattached Free transfer [17]
February 22, 2020 DF Tekodah Lobsiger Orange County FC Free transfer [17]
February 22, 2020 FW James Pipe Unattached Free transfer [17]

Friendlies
January 25, 2020 (2020-01-25) Preseason Sarasota Metropolis FC (USL2) v Michigan Stars FC Lakewood Ranch, Florida
12:00 EDT Report Stadium: The Premier Sports Campus at Lakewood Ranch
Note: Result not published.
February 19, 2020 (2020-02-19) Preseason Sporting Detroit SC (UPSL) v Michigan Stars FC Wixom, Michigan
9:30 EDT Report Stadium: Total Sports Complex
Note: Result not published.

Competitions

NISA Fall season

Michigan did not take part in the 2019 NISA Fall season. On September 23, the NISA Board of Governors announced the team had been accepted into the league but would not begin full league play until Spring 2020.[18][19][20]

NISA Spring season

Details for the 2020 NISA Spring season were announced January 27, 2020.[21]

Standings
Pos Team Pld W D L GF GA GD Pts Qualification
1 Oakland Roots SC 2 1 1 0 3 2 +1 4 Playoffs
2 California United Strikers FC (Q) 2 1 1 0 1 0 +1 4
3 Detroit City FC 1 1 0 0 2 0 +2 3
4 Stumptown Athletic 2 0 2 0 3 3 0 2
5 San Diego 1904 FC 2 0 2 0 2 2 0 2
6 Chattanooga FC 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 1
7 Los Angeles Force 2 0 1 1 1 3 −2 1
8 Michigan Stars FC 2 0 0 2 1 3 −2 0
Updated to match(es) played on March 8, 2020. Source: NISAofficial.com
(Q) Qualified to the phase indicated.

Results summary
OverallHomeAway
PldWDLGFGAGDPtsWDLGFGAGDWDLGFGAGD
2 0 0 2 1 3  −2 0 0 0 0 0 0  0 0 0 2 1 3  −2

Last updated: 7 March 2020.
Source: Match reports

Matches
February 29, 2020 (2020-02-29) 1 California United Strikers FC 1–0 Michigan Stars FC Irvine, California
7:00 p.m.
Report
MyCujoo Broadcast
  • Reynolds  7'
  • Sullivan  23'
  • Schneider  82'
 Stadium: Championship Soccer Stadium
Attendance: 2,258
Referee: William Randy Hoffman
March 7, 2020 (2020-03-07) 2 Oakland Roots SC 2–1 Michigan Stars FC Oakland, California
5:10 p.m.
MyCujoo Broadcast
  • Mahic  12'
  • Schneider  63'
  • Ward  89'
 Stadium: Laney College
Attendance: 4,873
March 14, 2020 (2020-03-14) 3 Chattanooga FC P–P Michigan Stars FC Chattanooga, Tennessee
3:00 p.m. Stadium: Finley Stadium
Note: On March 12, NISA announced that it would be suspending its season 30 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic[22]
March 21, 2020 (2020-03-21) 4 Michigan Stars FC P–P Los Angeles Force Pontiac, Michigan
8:00 p.m. Stadium: Ultimate Soccer Arenas Outdoor Stadium
Note: On March 12, NISA announced that it would be suspending its season 30 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic[22]
March 28, 2020 (2020-03-28) 5 Detroit City FC P–P Michigan Stars FC Hamtramck, Michigan
2:00 p.m. Stadium: Keyworth Stadium
Note: On March 12, NISA announced that it would be suspending its season 30 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic[22]
April 4, 2020 (2020-04-04) 6 Michigan Stars FC P–P California United Strikers FC Pontiac, Michigan
7:30 p.m. Stadium: Ultimate Soccer Arenas Outdoor Stadium
Note: On March 12, NISA announced that it would be suspending its season 30 days due to the COVID-19 pandemic[22]
April 11, 2020 (2020-04-11) 7 Stumptown Athletic P–P Michigan Stars FC Pineville, North Carolina
7:04 p.m. Stadium: CSA OrthoCarolina Sportsplex
Note: On March 30, NISA announced that it would be extending its suspension of play to May 10 in accordance with CDC guidelines for COVID-19[23]
April 18, 2020 (2020-04-18) 8 San Diego 1904 FC P–P Michigan Stars FC San Diego, California
7:04 p.m. Stadium: Lincoln High School
Note: On March 30, NISA announced that it would be extending its suspension of play to May 10 in accordance with CDC guidelines for COVID-19[23]
May 2, 2020 (2020-05-02) 9 Michigan Stars FC P–P Oakland Roots SC Pontiac, Michigan
7:00 p.m. Stadium: Ultimate Soccer Arenas Outdoor Stadium
Note: On March 30, NISA announced that it would be extending its suspension of play to May 10 in accordance with CDC guidelines for COVID-19[23]
May 9, 2020 (2020-05-09) 10 Michigan Stars FC P–P Stumptown Athletic Pontiac, Michigan
7:00 p.m. Stadium: Ultimate Soccer Arenas Outdoor Stadium
Note: On March 30, NISA announced that it would be extending its suspension of play to May 10 in accordance with CDC guidelines for COVID-19[23]
May 17, 2020 (2020-05-17) 11 Michigan Stars FC P–P San Diego 1904 FC Pontiac, Michigan
7:00 p.m. Stadium: Ultimate Soccer Arenas Outdoor Stadium
Note: On April 28, NISA announced the cancellation of the 2020 Spring season due to COVID-19[4]
May 23, 2020 (2020-05-23) 12 Michigan Stars FC P–P Detroit City FC Pontiac, Michigan
7:00 p.m. Stadium: Ultimate Soccer Arenas Outdoor Stadium
Note: On April 28, NISA announced the cancellation of the 2020 Spring season due to COVID-19[4]
May 29, 2020 (2020-05-29) 13 Michigan Stars FC P–P Chattanooga FC Pontiac, Michigan
7:00 p.m. Stadium: Ultimate Soccer Arenas Outdoor Stadium
Note: On April 28, NISA announced the cancellation of the 2020 Spring season due to COVID-19[4]
June 5, 2020 (2020-06-05) 14 Los Angeles Force P–P Michigan Stars FC Los Angeles, California
7:30 p.m. Stadium: Jesse Owens Stadium
Note: On April 28, NISA announced the cancellation of the 2020 Spring season due to COVID-19[4]

U.S. Open Cup
Main article: 2020 U.S. Open Cup

Michigan will enter the 2020 U.S. Open Cup with the rest of the National Independent Soccer Association teams in the Second Round.[24][25] It was announced on January 29 that their first opponent would be USL Championship side Indy Eleven.[26]

April 8 Second Round Indy Eleven (USLC) P–P Michigan Stars FC (NISA) Indianapolis, Indiana
7:00 pm EDT Stadium: Carroll Stadium
Note: On March 13, U.S. Soccer’s Open Cup Committee announced the tournament would be temporarily suspended due to the COVID-19 pandemic[27]

Squad statistics
As of Match played March 7, 2020

Appearances and goals
No. Pos Nat Player TotalSpring SeasonU.S. Open Cup
AppsGoalsAppsGoalsAppsGoals
Goalkeepers
1 GK Arshia Aghababazadeh 2020--
12 GK Sergio Orozco 0000--
16 GK Tatenda Mkuruva 0000--
Defenders
2 DF Tekodah Lobsiger 1010--
3 DF Gonnie Ben-Tal 2020--
4 DF Robert Juncaj 0000--
5 DF Joseph Aidoo 2020--
15 DF Andrés Chalbaud 2020--
17 DF Alexandre Frank 0000--
19 DF Cameron Schneider 2020--
22 DF Adil Gowani 0000--
23 DF Patrick Sullivan 2020--
25 DF James Abraham 0000--
26 DF Terence Smith 0000--
Midfielders
6 MF Remy Tazifor 0000--
7 MF Steven Juncaj 2020--
8 MF Zanin Mahic 2020--
9 MF Nenad Markovic 0000--
20 MF Nils Valdmanis 2020--
21 MF Zachary Reynolds 2020--
31 MF Jannik Eckenrode 1010--
Forwards
10 FW Kyle Nuel 2020--
11 FW Travis Ward 2121--
14 FW Alexander Satrústegui 0000--
29 FW James Pipe 0000--

Goal scorers
Place Position Nation Number Name Spring Season U.S. Open Cup Total
1FW11Travis Ward1-1

Disciplinary record
Number Nation Position Name Spring Season U.S. Open Cup Total
8MFZanin Mahic10--10
19DFCameron Schneider20--20
21MFZachary Reynolds10--10
23DFPatrick Sullivan10--10

See also
  • 2019–20 NISA season

References
  1. "Chattanooga FC, Detroit City FC, Michigan Stars FC & Oakland Roots SC Approved to Play in NISA Spring 2020 Competition". www.nisaofficial.com. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  2. O'Connor, Larry. "Overhauled Michigan Stars shooting for tactical efficiency in jump to pro league". Detroit News. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  3. O'Connor, Larry. "Detroit City FC, Stars join NISA on 30-day hiatus amid coronavirus threat". Detroit News. Retrieved April 29, 2020.
  4. "NISA OFFICIAL UPDATE". nisaofficial.com. National Independent Soccer Association. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  5. Kennedy, Paul. "NISA cancels spring season, sets sights on August start to fall championship". www.socceramerica.com. Retrieved April 28, 2020.
  6. "Michigan Stars FC Roster". Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  7. "WELCOME BACK #NISAnation". Twitter. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  8. "Tatenda Mkuruva Extends Stay At Michigan Stars". Pindula News. February 20, 2020. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  9. M, Lucky (February 20, 2020). "Tatenda Mkuruva extends stay at his American Club Michigan Stars". Mbare Times. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  10. "WELCOME BACK TO THE STARS! #NISAnation". Twitter. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  11. "WELCOME BACK TO THE STARS! #NISAnation". Twitter. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  12. "WELCOME TO THE STARS! #NISAnation". Twitter. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  13. "WELCOME TO THE STARS! #NISAnation". Twitter. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  14. "WELCOME TO THE STARS! #NISAnation". Twitter. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  15. "WELCOME TO THE STARS! #NISAnation". Twitter. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  16. "Nenad Markovic Signs With Michigan Stars Football Club". St. Mary's University Athletics. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  17. "And FINALLY.... our last four players that are signed with us!!!! WELCOME TO THE STARS! #NISAnation". Twitter. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  18. "NISA Announces Michigan Stars FC". www.nisaofficial.com. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  19. O'Connor, Larry. "Michigan Stars look to join NISA in bid to become Metro Detroit's premier pro soccer team". Detroit News. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  20. Sports, WDEF (September 23, 2019). "NISA Adding Michigan Stars FC". WDEF. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  21. "Schedule". National Independent Soccer Association. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
  22. "NISA ANNOUNCES SUSPENSION OF SEASON FOR 30 DAYS". nisaofficial.com. National Independent Soccer Association. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  23. "NISA EXTENDS SUSPENSION IN ACCORDANCE WITH CDC GUIDELINES". nisaofficial.com. National Independent Soccer Association. Retrieved March 20, 2020.
  24. "LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP COMPETITION FORMAT ANNOUNCED". Nisasoccer. December 13, 2019. Retrieved December 22, 2019.
  25. "RECORD-SETTING 100 TEAMS CONFIRMED FOR 2020 LAMAR HUNT U.S. OPEN CUP, 107TH EDITION OF U.S. SOCCER'S NATIONAL CHAMPIONSHIP". ussoccer.com. U.S. Soccer. Retrieved January 8, 2020.
  26. "2020 U.S. OPEN CUP SECOND ROUND PAIRINGS AND HOST SCENARIOS". Retrieved February 1, 2020.
  27. "U.S. Soccer Temporarily Suspends 2020 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup Due to Covid-19 Outbreak". www.ussoccer.com. Retrieved March 21, 2020.
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