Head Coach: Enis Dokovic
Venue: Romeo Stadium
2023 Regular Season: 13-7-4, 46 pts, 2nd in NISA Table, 2023 NISA Playoffs: Lost in championship final to Flower City Union

2023 Season Recap: The 2022 NISA Champions Michigan Stars FC were seeking a repeat, going for another championship title last year. For the second consecutive season, the Michigan Stars decided to make another coaching change in the middle of the NISA season as their Head Coach and Technical Director, Stewart Flaherty, departed the club last summer. Club owner George Juncaj stepped into the head coaching duties after he previously did the same thing in the middle of the 2022 NISA season. The Stars had a 6-match unbeaten streak on multiple occasions during the 2023 NISA season and had their best finish in the regular season since joining NISA in 2020. Last summer, the Stars brought in a new assistant coach, Valery Pishchyk, to work alongside Juncaj and fellow assistant coach Enis Dokovic. Together, they guided the Stars back to another NISA Championship final appearance. However, their quest to repeat as back-to-back NISA champions ended in disappointment, as they lost 1-0 at home to Flower City Union in the 2023 NISA Championship final last November.

Offseason Recap

After a quiet offseason with rumors that the Stars might leave NISA, the club elected to return for another season. The Stars have also made changes to their front office. Chris McInally, General Manager for the Stars for the last two seasons, was named Chief Operating Officer for the club. His predecessor, George Juncaj, who has held the position for the previous four years, has stepped down. Assistant coach Enis Dokovic has been promoted to Head Coach for the upcoming season. The Stars have also made significant changes to their roster this offseason as they look to return to the NISA championship for the third consecutive season.

Key Departures

As I mentioned, the Stars have significantly changed their roster for the upcoming season. Anthony Bowie, Jacob Campbell, Ahmed Shaibu Jr., and Kotaro Umeda (a.k.a, Kota) are notable names not returning to Michigan.

Key Returnees

The Stars leading goal scorer, Leon Maric, is back, as is their top goalkeeper, Tatenda Mkuruva. Niels Lellouch and Michigan Stars original Andres Chalbaud are also back, as is midfielder Hunter Olson. Steven Juncaj is also returning to his former club on loan from Croatian side HNK Rijeka.

Key Arrivals

Some new faces you’ll see on the squad include defender Sebastian Capozucchi, midfielder Elias McCloud, and Colin Stripling. They’ve also added Sacko Konate, Daniel Wright, and Praise Maduekwe. A good core group of NISA veterans and some youth are in this squad, and the Stars have looked good in their first two open cup matches, beating Steel City FC and Minnesota United FC 2 so far. They’ll play their old rivals, Detroit City FC, in the third round of the U.S. Open Cup on April 17.

Player to Watch

I can’t bet against Leon Maric scoring 14 goals last season for the Michigan Stars FC. The NISA Golden Boot race might be between Maric and Darwin Espinal of the Maryland Bobcats. Maric will be looked at once again to carry the attack for the Stars, but having Steven Juncaj back and Hunter Olson on the wing should help add more firepower for the Stars offense. I know most people like the LA Force and the Maryland Bobcats FC as the favorites to win it all, but as I’ve learned over the past few seasons, you can never count out the Stars. Remember Stars vs. Everybody!

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