[2] The USA originally planned to start play in the spring of 1968; however the rival National Professional Soccer League, which secured a TV contract from CBS, announced it was ready to launch in 1967.

Not having secured any player contracts, the league imported teams from Europe, Brazil, and Uruguay to represent the franchise cities.

[5] The team's first home match at the University of Detroit Stadium on June 4, 1967, against the Vancouver Royal Canadians[b] drew 11,629 spectators and also ended in a 1–1 draw.

[6][7] The team's match on June 14, 1967, against the Houston Stars, represented by Brazilian team Bangu Atlético Clube, ended 17 minutes before the end of regulation with the Stars winning 2–0 when Houston fullback Luiz Alberto kicked Tommy Jackson in the kidney and police were needed to restore order on the pitch.

[12] Prior to the beginning of the season, the Cougars made a tour of the Caribbean, playing friendlies against local teams in Kingston, Jamaica and in Port-au-Prince, Haiti against Cavalier F.C., Violette AC, and Racing CH winning eight games and losing only one.

[15] The Cougars ended the season in last place of the Lakes Division with a record of six wins, four draws and twenty-one losses and averaging 4,266 fans in attendance.