Led by owner/investor John Hantz, the Detroit Ignition was formally announced on April 19, 2006.  Under the coaching of Mark Pulisic, the Ignition made their Major Indoor Soccer League debut on Nov. 3, 2007 with an 8-6 win over the then-defending MISL Champion Baltimore Blast. Detroit’s first goal in team history came off the head of Hewerton at 5:57 of the opening frame.  The club would finish the regular-season first in the league standings with an 18-12 record, including a league-best 11-4 mark at home.



The Ignition made its playoff debut against the Milwaukee Wave, winning the final two games in the three-game semifinal series.  Game 3 was especially dramatic as team captain Novi Marojevic scored a two-point goal just over a minute into the “Golden Goal” session, sending Detroit into the MISL Finals to face the Philadelphia KiXX.  The KiXX went on to become MISL Champions, as the Ignition were defeated 13-8 in front of a sell-out crowd at Compuware Arena. 

Although the inaugural season ended without a championship, the Ignition did not walk away empty handed. Pulisic was named MISL Coach of the Year. Forward Jamar Beasley was named MISL Most Valuable Player and was selected to the All-MISL First Team.  Beasley was also the Puma Scoring Champion, leading the league in scoring with 107 points.  Ignition goalkeeper Sanaldo and defender Jonathan Greenfield were named to the All-MISL Second Team, while defender Nate Craft was named to the MISL All-Rookie Team.

At the start of the 2007-08 season, Pulisic was promoted to director of soccer operations and Bob Lilley was brought in as the Ignition’s head coach.  Following the retirement of Marojevic, defender Droo Callahan was named team captain for the club’s second campaign.  Goalkeeper Danny Waltman took over the starting position in net after Sanaldo was traded to California in the off-season.

The 2007-08 sesaon kicked off on Nov. 3, 2007 with a rematch against the defending MISL Champion Philadelphia KiXX, and this time the Ignition came away with a 17-6 victory. Detroit kept right on rolling through 2008, coming away with its second consecutive regular-season championship after posting a 22-8 record.  The club secured a bye in the first round of playoffs, but was defeated by La Raza de Monterrey during the “Golden Goal” session of the semifinal round.


Callahan would stand out as one of the Ignition’s star players of the 2007-08 campaign – he tallied four Defensive Player of the Week awards and was named to the All-MISL First Team.  Beasley and Waltman were also recognized for their stellar contributions and were selected to the All-MISL Second Team.

In September 2008, the Ignition joined the Chicago Storm, Milwaukee Wave and New Jersey Ironmen as a charter member of the newly formed Xtreme Soccer League. Matt Johnson, who had served as the club’s assistant coach for two seasons, took over the reigns in November when he was named Head Coach. After two seasons of settling for the regular season title, Johnson led the Ignition to their first league championship with a 12-8 record.

On top of the league trophy, the Ignition closed out the 2008-09 season with even more accolades. Johnson was named Coach of the Year, Josh Rife took home Defensive Player of the Year honors, and goalkeeper Danny Waltman was named XSL MVP. Waltman was the first keeper to win the league MVP award in over a decade.