Detroit Vardar

History

Detroit Vardar was formed in 1972 to represent the Macedonian American community in the Detroit metropolitan area, initially competing in the Second Division of the Detroit Soccer League. In 1974, the club earned promotion to the First Division by defeating Macedonian SC. Detroit claimed its first DSL Championship in 1976, which also secured a berth in the National Amateur Cup. The following year, Vardar reached the semifinal round of the National Challenge Cup, where it was eliminated by the Cleveland Serbians, while also winning a second consecutive DSL title, the Michigan Cup against Ann Arbor Heidelberg, and the Michigan state title in the National Amateur Cup by defeating Detroit Sport Club.

In 1978, the club achieved a third straight DSL Championship by beating Detroit Besa and completed a double by winning the Challenge Cup over Iraqi SC. That year's National Amateur Cup campaign began with a first-round match against Pennsylvania state champion Upper Santa Clare. In 1979, Vardar entered the professional National Soccer League but withdrew near the end of the season. For the remainder of 1979, the team joined the Michigan Soccer League and reached the Maxwell Cup final, losing to Mt. Clemens Inter Booters.

The next season, Detroit appeared in the Michigan Soccer Association championship final, falling to Hamtramck White Eagles. In 1984, Vardar again reached the Maxwell Cup final, where it was defeated by Hamtramck White Eagles.

Did You Know?

• In 1977, Vardar reached the semifinal round of the National Challenge Cup, where they were eliminated by the Cleveland Serbians.
• The club won three consecutive DSL Championships in 1976, 1977, and 1978.