AFC Ann Arbor’s 2017 campaign will also serve as the Mighty Oak’s highly anticipated sophomore season in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). Home and away pairings with each Great Lakes Conference club fill out the NPSL lineup come May. The 2017 slate includes seven home league matches to be played at the club’s home pitch, Hollway Field at Pioneer High School.
The club will begin the NPSL season on the road against a newcomer to the Great Lakes conference in Milwaukee Torent, on Saturday May 6th. Early road points in the NPSL are crucial as only 1 Great Lakes club will be guaranteed postseason play.
The home opener is set for Sunday, May 14th at 3pm on Mother’s Day when AFC Ann Arbor will host Kalamazoo FC. The 14th will feature a pre-match ceremony honoring players mom’s as well as recognizing all local soccer mom’s who invested in growing the game of soccer within our community.
Last year’s most highly attended and anticipated matches included the home opening Memorial Day Classic (vs GRFC) and the club’s first time hosting Detroit City FC.
Detroit City FC visits Hollway Field in 2017 on Sunday, May 21st for the second home match of the 2017 season. Just eight days later, Grand Rapids FC is slated to return to Ann Arbor for the 3rd Annual Memorial Day Classic on Monday May 29th. As GRFC and AFCAA join the NPSL together in 2016, the 4 match history between the clubs is among the region’s biggest rivalries. May 29th is a marquee date for Mighty Oak fans as these clubs finished 1st and 2nd in 2016’s Great Lakes Table, each qualifying for postseason play.
After finishing second in the division and earning the club’s first playoff berth in 2016, The Mighty Oak have high hopes for 2017. Preparation begins immediately as the path back to the postseason is now in front of the club.
“The schedule release is an exciting time as we approach the 2017 campaign. The Mighty Oak faithful can now get our home matches locked into their calendars and I know our players are looking forward to playing in front of them again this season," added Head Coach & Sporting Director, Eric Rudland.
In addition to the seven home league matches at Pioneer High School, the club will be announcing friendlies by the end of the month.
Fans can purchase 2017 memberships online at AFCAnnArbor.com and have the choice of General, Premium and Youth Memberships, all of which include the 2017 season scarf. 2017 Memberships include admission to all home matches, including friendlies and league contests.