Golden Limousine Match Preview: AFC Ann Arbor vs Saginaw Valley State University

Third year right back Jake Rosen has never been shy about his pride for The Mighty Oak. But Saturday’s matchup sees his collegiate side match-up against a club he’s actually played more matches for, AFC Ann Arbor. Unfortunately, Rosen will miss Saturday’s contest due to injury but will nonetheless be tuned in to watch his two clubs go head to head in the 2018 season opener friendly.

With Ann Arbor’s opening match at Skyline High School last week being cancelled, this weekend’s match will serve as a platform for Coach Rudland to test certain trialists and introduce different schematics as he continues to prepare for NPSL Great Lakes Conference play and the U.S. Open Cup.

“We have a handful of players, currently not signed with us, who have been very committed to our pre-season training environment and are deserving of an opportunity in a real match. So Saturday presents our staff a realistic final observation of the impact the trialists can make in our system vs a live opponent,” said Head Coach & Sporting Director Eric Rudland.

Rudland’s approach with players who have already signed with the club for 2018 is a little different adding, “The plan going into the match is to get our signed players up to 60min. We are methodically building their bodies and fitness levels so they can reach 90 min by our final pre-season match.”

Tomorrow’s season opener will of course feature some familiar faces and names you’ll want to remember as well.

“Matt Braem will be leading us on the pitch tomorrow night. He was our club captain in 2017 and has been with us for 2 seasons. I couldn't think of a better man to be leading us into our 2018 campaign. I think Sergio Campbell will play a big role in the back-line. He has shown well in training and his pedigree & playing history bode well for anchoring our defensive unit. Also, returning up top are two of our most dangerous attackers from 2017 with Yuri Farkas and Kyle Breitmeyer. Jordan Montoya, a new signee, will play in the front line as well, so we are looking forward to seeing how he partners with our returners. We obviously have a lot to still iron out and are waiting for a number of our players to come into the team, but having an opportunity to get these mentioned players a run, at this point in the team building process, is critical,” said Rudland.

Also joining The Mighty Oak tomorrow night will be fan favorite Hector Morales. As he continues his preparations for opportunities elsewhere, Morales has been training with the team to stay fit and sharp. Morales joined the club two-years ago and has left his mark on the fans, coaching staff and front office, most notably for his role in a late match 3-2 comeback over Lansing United in 2016. For the fans, it’ll be a special treat to see one of AFCAA Family’s most heroic names.

Ann Arbor native Kenny Vasquez who was invited for an extended trial after a standout performance at the February open tryout was added to the official roster, dropping the trialist tag before his name. Vasquez, a Pioneer High school graduate who played at Concordia University Ann Arbor, will be a great addition to The Mighty Oak.

The Opponent

The Cardinals will be closing out their spring season with Saturday’s match and are coming off an impressive 2-2 draw on the road against Bowling Green State University.

Coach Wagstaff took to Twitter after the match to offer his lads praise saying, “Very happy with the men tonight after a 2-2 draw with BGSU. Tough test for us on the road but we showed some good courage going up 2-0 only to be pegged back to 2-2 late on.”

Coach Rudland has this to say about the opponent, “Anytime a high level college program will entertain playing us is exciting. SVSU is a nationally recognized program that has produced great results and players over the course of the last 10 years. We know that they are at the tail end of their spring season, so they will be sharp on the ball, physically fit and have a good understanding of their tactics. With us being on the front end of our team building process it will provide a great early test to see where we are. We are looking forward to Jake Rosen returning with us and the new addition of Shakes joining our club.”

Match Day Experience

With this being a traveling friendly to host Huron High School, fans can expect a little different experience Saturday night, but have no doubt, plenty of supporters will be gathering at HOMES Brewery ahead of the match.

There will be no food trucks as Huron Girls Varsity program will be running the concessions and collecting 100% of the proceeds. Make sure to stop by for a snack and tip generously if you can.

A portion of the proceeds from ticket sales will also be benefiting the visiting side, SVSU, as part of The Mighty Oak’s ongoing efforts to support local soccer organizations.

All Liverpool FC International Academy of Michigan players wearing their jersey get in free as well as all participants in the Ann Arbor Invitational. 

Team Sheet

“Tactics wise we want to play our brand and our system. Hopefully our fans are accustomed to us keeping the ball and creating goal scoring chances, so we want to see how our attacking partnerships look. Without the ball we want to recover possession as quickly as possible. So we will be looking for immediate reactions to regain the ball, hopefully high up the pitch. We haven't had enough time, or enough of our players in yet, to fine tune everything, so we expect there to be problems identified throughout the match that we will need to focus on next week in training,” said Rudland.

Jersey No - Player

2 - Kenny Vasquez

TICKET INFO

Online Tickets- Adults $8 / Youth $5 (Ages 4-12) *Available until Noon on Sunday

At the Gate- Adults $10 / Youth $6  *Kids 1,2 and 3 are FREE

Memberships (Season Tickets)

Flex Plans

3 - Trialist (Ludvick Asigo)

4 - Brandon Katona

5 - Trialist (Gustavo)

6 - Jordan Montoya

7 - Yuri Farkas

8 - Marlon Frietas

9 - Kyle Breitmeyer

10 - Hector Morales

11 - Trialist (Danny Dragoi

12 - Leonardo Abonizio

14 - Matthieu Braem

15 - Breno Stapcinskas

16 - Trialist (Pat Rose)

17 - Sergio Campbell

18 - Trialist (Marco Bernardini)

19 - Trialist (Andrew Hill)

34 - Nick Barry

66 - Joe Smith

[Updated] AFC Ann Arbor vs Carpathia FC: MATCH CANCELLED

Unfortunately, today's match vs Carpathia FC has been canceled due to weather. After match officials walked the pitch with AFC Ann Arbor Head Coach & Sporting Director, the decision was made to cancel today's match in the best interest of everyone's safety. 

The new season opener will be held next Saturday, April 21st at Huron High School's Riverbank Stadium at 7PM. 

Golden Limousine Match Preview: AFC Ann Arbor vs Carpathia FC

The Mighty Oak open up the 2018 season this Sunday at Skyline High School vs Carpathia FC at 5PM.

The two sides are meeting for a preseason friendly for the second consecutive year. Last year, Ann Arbor defeated Carpathia 2-0 in the preseason friendly.

With most of the collegiate players due to arrive in late April and early May, these early contests serve as an opportunity for Coach Rudland and his staff to evaluate pending trialists.

“For Sunday we have a blended roster that we will be fielding. We have a handful of players who are signed with us for the 2018 season, the majority of which are our non-college based players who have joined us for early pre-season. Also, we have a number of trialists who have been with us for a week of training and will have the opportunity to show what they can do in a match environment. This is our first step as a group in 2018. The expectation of the match is to start building up our fitness levels and keep the group healthy. We are not ultra-concerned with the result as our primary objective. We are primarily concerned with our mentality, willingness to press, remain unified and stay healthy. We're also curious to see who emerges from our group as an impactful player,” said Coach Rudland.

“The pre-season friendly provides us a great opportunity to build up the match fitness of our signed players, while providing a realistic platform for tiralists to prove themselves in front of our fans vs a real opponent. For the trialists if they perform well, we'd like to continue to build them into our plans for the following week of training and our next pre-season friendly on the 21st,” he added.

 

Ticket Info

Online Tickets- Adults $8 / Youth $5 (Ages 4-12) *Available until Noon on Sunday

At the Gate- Adults $10 / Youth $6  *Kids 1,2 and 3 are FREE

Memberships (Season Tickets)

Flex Plans

Match Day Experience

Pre-match: Join AFC Ann Arbor supporters at HOMES Brewery for prematch festivities just 2 miles from Skyline HS. HOMES, a 2018 USA Today Top Ten Best New Brewery, also serves up some of the best bibimbap, one of many must-try items from their asian street food menu. The fast-casual dining experience and spacious outdoor seating area makes HOMES the perfect place for prematch festivities.

Post-match: For the kids, visit our official post match youth HQ, Revel & Roll and be sure to check your ticket back for exclusive discounts and offers. If you're looking to be downtown after the match, be sure to stop by Grizzly Peak, The Official Brewery of AFC Ann Arbor. 

Food Trucks: Cosa Sabrosa, Jamerican Grill, Ray’s Red Hots

Audi Post Match Autographs

The Move to Skyline

Sunday will also be the beginning of a new chapter for the club as they play their first match at the 2018 home venue, Skyline High School.

“The move to Skyline is exciting. It will be beneficial to play a pre-season match there so we can get acclimated to the surface, spacing and environment. From a football standpoint we are looking forward to a larger pitch and nicer surface compared to Pioneer. Also, I think the set-up at Skyline is very conducive for our fanbase. It's an intimate setting with great sight lines. We are looking forward to making it our own for 2019,” added Coach Rudland.

About the Opponent

Carpathia FC is a historic Michigan amateur club based out of Sterling Heights. Founded in 1952 as the Carpathia Kickers, the club has won a National Amateur Championship amongst a number of other titles throughout the decades.

At the Carpathia Club, the Donauschwaben and German cultural heritage continues through language, dance, song and sport. Established in 1913 as the Carpathia Chor (Carpathia Singing Society), the club has grown to become one of the largest Donauschwaben/German American clubs in the United States. The most important part of the club is its members – their friendships and families are the foundation of the club. With members providing this solid foundation, the keystone for the Carpathia Club is its strong Untergruppen network. These groups promote important aspects of the Donauschwaben culture and offer their own unique activities for every age and interest.

Team Sheet for April 15th vs Carpathia FC

Jersey No. -  Player

1 - Nick Barry

2 - Kenny Vasquez

3 - Trialist (Ludvick Asigo)

4 - Brandon Katona

5 - Trialist (Jacob Kanuth)

6 - Jordan Montoya

7 - Yuri Farkas

8 - Leigh Rumbold

9 - Kyle Breitmeyer

10 - Leonardo Abonizio

11 - Trialist (Danny Dragoi

12 - Trialist (Drew Ducker)

14 - Matthieu Braem

15 - Breno Stapcinskas

16 - Andre Morris

17 - Sergio Campbell

18 - Trialist (Marco Bernardini)

19 - Trialist (Andrew Hill)

20 - Trialist (Pat Rose)

 

AFC Ann Arbor to Stream 2018 Home Matches

Association Football Club Ann Arbor will be streaming all 11 home matches this season, beginning with Sunday’s friendly match, thanks to support in partnership with Saint Joseph Mercy Health System.

The stream will be free and accessible via AFC Ann Arbor’s YouTube channel.

Michael Kroodsma, a 2-year member of the AFCAA Media Team will be the lead broadcaster calling the first match this Sunday from Skyline High School. Subscribe to the YouTube channel here.

The Mighty Oak are entering their 4th season (3rd in the NPSL) with league play set to begin May 5th on the road at Milwaukee before returning home the following week to host Detroit City on May 13th at Skyline High School.

For more information on memberships and tickets click here.

The Mighty Oak Host Nor'Easters in Open Cup First Round

The 105th edition of the US Open Cup will come to Washtenaw County on May 9th when AFC Arbor hosts Ocean City Nor’easters (New Jersey) at Eastern Michigan University’s Scicluna Field. Kickoff is set for 6PM in Ypsilanti.

The draw came as a bit of a surprise to the club but Head Coach & Sporting Director Eric Rudland is looking forward to May 9th adding, “In anticipation of the draw I don’t think anyone, including myself, tagged us vs Ocean City. But the draw for us is fantastic. Ocean City is one of the top amateur teams on the East Coast and it will give us a rare chance to play a team from outside of our region early in the season.”

The Mighty Oak qualified for the US Open Cup for the second year in a row, after losing a hard fought match to the Michigan Bucks in the first round last season in the club’s first cup appearance.

“For us to have the opportunity to play in the US Open Cup for second consecutive season is a massive step for our organization,” added Coach Rudland.

Although May will prove to be a battle with having so many matches in such a short span at the beginning of the month, Rudland and team are prepared and optimistic for the challenge that lies ahead.

“Having the good fortune of hosting, and playing at a Scicluna Field, makes the first round even more important for our club,” said Rudland.

Tickets are $10 for adults and $6 for youth (ages 4-12) and can be purchased here. Premium and general members will receive tickets at half the price and have been emailed all of the details. Any member who did not receive an email can reach out to the club at info@afcannarbor.com.

Venue Change: June 1st Match vs GRFC Moves to EMU's Scicluna Field

Earlier this year, The Mighty Oak announced a move to Skyline High School for 2018 as Pioneer High School (AFCAA’s home for seasons 1-3) is set to be returfed this spring/summer.

With Skyline High School now set to host the district soccer tournament the weekend of June 1st, Association Football Club Ann Arbor were forced to explore other options for the NPSL contest vs Grand Rapids Football Club.

The match, originally scheduled for 7PM will now kick off at 6PM at EMU’s Scicluna Field on Friday June 1st. The club will be donating a portion of ticket sales back to the EMU Women’s Soccer Program as part of their ongoing efforts to support local teams with financial support.

Seating is very limited and the one and only grandstand (which seats about 250) will be reserved for AFCAA members only. All other fans are encouraged to bring folding chairs or blankets to sit on as there will be plenty of space to set up around the field. Tickets are expected to sell out in advance for this match due to the limited capacity. Tickets purchased online in advance are only $8 for adults and $5 for youth. 

Scicluna Field has served as training pitches for traveling international clubs such as Real Madrid and AS Roma while participating in the International Champions Cup in Ann Arbor and Detroit, respectively.

This marks the first NPSL contest to be held at EMU and the first match for The Mighty Oak in Ypsilanti.

“These types of scheduling and venue challenges are common in lower tier soccer but I’m quite thrilled we are able to play at EMU. I graduated from there, I live in Ypsi and I’ve always supported the work that Coach Hall has done with the Women’s Soccer Program at EMU. We’re definitely looking forward to playing Grand Rapids at Scicluna Field on June 1st,” added Bilal Saeed, Chairman for AFC Ann Arbor.

For ticket information for the June 1st contest, click here.

The Thundering Oak

This summer, The Mighty Oak will feature three players that will spend their fall on the campus of Marshall University.

Right winger JP Rylah from the 2016 team returns to Ann Arbor after a successful season at American International College. It was enough to catch the eye of Marshall University Head Coach, Chris Grassie. Rylah will join the Thundering Herd this fall before playing a key role in Ann Arbor attacking piece this season.

Rylah will also have a chance to gel with the top two standouts from Marshall’s 2017 Men’s Soccer Team, Lewis Knight and Carlos Diaz-Salcedo. Both Knight and Diaz-Salcedo are coming off stellar seasons earning them All-Second Team Conference USA honors. Impressive for a freshman and sophomore, respectively.

Knight is coming off one of the top performances in the country by a freshman. Leading his team with 9 goals and 21 assists on the season, he finished the regular season ranked in the top 50 in the country in goals, goals per game and points.

Diaz-Salcedo was huge for the Herd in his sophomore campaign. He played a key role in Marshall’s defense but showed his ability to create scoring chances for his teammates as he tied for top honors in assists.

If the name Chris Grassie rings a bell, you’re remember him from his time at the University of Charleston, a program that saw many players represent The Mighty Oak over the past two seasons. One of those players, Rafael Simaoes, is now a grad assistant under Grassie (who was his former coach at UC) giving the club even stronger ties to the Thundering Herd.

With the history between Rudland and Grassie working together and arguably his three best players spending their summer in Ann Arbor, the Thundering Herd will surely have deep roots with The Mighty Oak.

HOMES Becomes Official Prematch Brewery for 2018 Season

Association Football Club Ann Arbor have partnered with HOMES Brewery for the 2018 season. HOMES will serve as the Official Prematch Brewery offering supporters a gathering spot close the Skyline High School, The Mighty Oak’s new home venue.

HOMES, a 2018 USA Today Top Ten Best New Brewery, also serves up some of the best bibimbap, one of many must-try items from their asian street food menu. The fast-casual dining experience and spacious outdoor seating area makes HOMES the perfect place for prematch festivities.

HOMES Owner and Founder, Tommy Kennedy, knew this would be a great fit and is a massive supporter of the beautiful game himself, adding “We love Ann Arbor and soccer, so we’re thrilled to be a hub for the AFC community.”

Supporters are encouraged to begin gathering at HOMES, two hours prior to each match which is located just two miles away from Skyline High School.

“HOMES is one of the top breweries in the country so we’re lucky to be partnering with them this season. With a menu that’s as delicious as their drink options, this is going to be the perfect prematch gathering spot for our supporters,” added Bilal Saeed, AFC Ann Arbor Chairman.

The first match of the season is a friendly set for Sunday, April 15th at 5PM vs Carpathia FC. Tickets are twenty percent off when purchased online in advance. Click here for tickets. 
 

Kit Unveiling Set for April 7th at WideWorld Sports Center

The Mighty Oak announced a new multi-year partnership with Capelli Sport earlier this year and will be unveiling the first two AFC Ann Arbor Capelli uniforms, Saturday, April 7th at WideWorld Sports Center at 6PM.

WideWorld Sports Center will be supporting AFC Ann Arbor as a community partner in 2018 and have been supportive of the club from day one.

"We are very excited to join The Mighty Oak as partners this spring. AFC Ann Arbor have provided this area with the highest level of soccer over the past three years. WideWorld Sports Center is committed to providing soccer opportunities for youth and adults year round in Ann Arbor and we are happy to join the other community partners in this year's 2018 NPSL Campaign," said Zach Artinian, Operations Manager at WideWorld Sports Center.

The new kits won’t be introduced from our own players but instead a couple of lucky supporters. 2018 Members have been invited to win the chance to wear the club’s new kits for the first time and exhibit them at the community event.

In addition the new kits being revealed for the first time, fans of all ages will get a chance to come and kick the ball around with AFC Ann Arbor players.

The event, set to run from 6 to 8pm,  will have a short formal program ending around 6:30PM at which time supporters will be invited to play with AFC. So bring your boots (no cleats allowed; indoor shoes only) and come ready to kick it with The Mighty Oak.

About WideWorld Sports Center

WideWorld Sports Center offers adult indoor soccer leagues year-round. Whether you're a beginner looking for a fun, noncompetitive atmosphere to play or a more experienced player looking for a fast-paced game, WWSC has leagues to fit your experience level and busy schedule. As WideWorld is a multi-sport facility (Football, Lacrosse, Field Hockey), WWSC is Ann Arbor's premier venue for youth soccer. WideWorld offers youth clinics as early as 18 months all the way to high school soccer leagues!

About Capelli Sport

In seven years of operation, Capelli Sport has become the official outfitter for a number of internationally recognized sporting organizations and clubs including, but not limited to, MSV Duisburg of Germany’s 2. Bundesliga, Penn FC of the United Soccer League, Fútbol Consultants Moravia of the Liga De Ascenso in Costa Rica, Montego Bay United FC of Jamaica’s National Premier League, and Inter Allies FC of the Ghana Premier League. Additionally, Capelli Sport outfits Panachaiki FC of the Second Division in Greece, and Deportes Temuco of the Primera División and San Luis De Quillota of the Primera División B in Chile. For more information on Capelli Sport, current partners, and how to join the team today, visit Capelli Sport, follow them on Twitter (@capellisport) and Instagram (CapelliSport), or visit the Capelli Sport Facebook page.

Individual Match Tickets On Sale Monday March 12th

The Mighty Oak are just over a month away from kicking off the 2018 season. The home opener will be on Sunday, April 15th, when AFC Ann Arbor hosts Carpathia FC for a preseason friendly at Skyline High School. After receiving news that Pioneer would be redoing their turf this spring and summer, AFC began looking for a new home which they found in Skyline. The first match of the season is always exciting but adding to it a new home venue only makes the match on the 15th more historical.

Currently, fans can purchase premium, general and youth memberships as well as our new flex plans. Single match tickets will go on sale Monday, March 12th at 10:00AM.

Fans who purchase tickets in advance will continue to save 20% off gate pricing, and with the new venue and limited seating in 2018, this also ensures entry to the match (not guaranteed with gate ticket purchases).  Adult tickets are $8 and youth $5 when purchased in advance online and $10 and $6 respectively at the gate (same pricing since 2015).

Ann Arbor have had an unbelievably strong record when playing at home with the last loss dating back to July of 2016. As they begin a new chapter in the club, they hope to continue to the home pitch advantage moving forward.

To see the complete AFC Ann Arbor schedule, click here. 

AFC Ann Arbor Friendly with SVSU to Benefit Cardinals and River Rats

Livonia native, Jake Rosen returns for his third season with AFC Ann Arbor in 2018

On Saturday April 21st, The Mighty Oak will host Saginaw Valley State University Men’s Soccer Program at Huron High School, in a friendly that’s raising money for multiple groups. That match is also the showcase event for the Ann Arbor Invitational youth soccer tournament taking place April 21st and 22nd at multiple locations around Washtenaw County.

“Our preseason fixtures will be a good opportunity for our team to shape in in preparation for important matches in May. SVSU had a fantastic run in 2017 and we have a few of their men joining us this season, so playing them will be a great live test,” said Head Coach & Sporting Director, Eric Rudland.

The River Rats Girls Varsity Soccer Team will be working concessions that evening with all proceeds going towards the program plus a portion of ticket sales. SVSU Men’s Soccer Team will also be receiving a portion of ticket sales as The Mighty Oak have teamed up to support both of these programs and their continued successes.

“Having the honor of hosting AFC Ann Arbor and SVSU for a friendly at Riverbank Stadium is massively beneficial for the Ann Arbor Huron Girls soccer program as both a fundraiser and also the opportunity to watch high level semi-pro soccer right on our doorstep which is  truly valuable from a teaching standpoint,” added Head Varsity Coach Lee Hudson.

The second friendly on The Mighty Oak’s schedule marks the first time the club will see Saginaw Valley, in addition to AFC Ann Arbor’s first time hosting a match at Huron High School.

There is however, some familiarity in this match as Jake Rosen, who returns to Ann Arbor for his third season, plays his college ball with SVSU. Although Rosen will be dressing for SVSU on the 21st, the Livonia native is thrilled to be playing in front of his AFCAA supporters once again.

Head Coach of SVSU, Andy Wagstaff is thrilled the two sides were able to finally meet adding, “SVSU Men's Soccer are extremely excited to take on one of the top clubs in the NPSL, AFC Ann Arbor.  The match is a showcase event for the Liverpool International Academy Michigan - Ann Arbor tournament (Ann Arbor Invitational), which is a club that I am also linked with as the president.  So, to get our SVSU team to play in front of our own LFC IA Michigan youth players and many local fans from Ann Arbor and beyond will be personally satisfying.  Ann Arbor are always strong under their excellent coach Eric Rudland, so I am sure they will prove a very tough challenge for my young team.  The spring season for us is about challenging ourselves and coming out of our comfort zone, so we feel like this match will provide exactly that.”

2018 Memberships are on sale and include admission to all home matches (league and friendly). Single match tickets will go on sale, Monday, March 12th at 10AM.

About AFC Ann Arbor

Association Football Club Ann Arbor (AFC Ann Arbor), Washtenaw County's premier men’s semi-pro soccer team, enters their third season in the National Premier Soccer League, led by Head Coach & Sporting Director Eric Rudland. Coming off the club’s most successful year, The Mighty Oak will look to defend their Great Lakes Conference Championship in 2018 after going 12-1-1 in 2017, setting 12 club records and finishing the campaign unbeaten at home. Ann Arbor will be playing all home matches (unless otherwise noted) at Skyline High School in 2018.

The Mighty Oak Move to Skyline High School for 2018

AFC Ann Arbor will be playing at Skyline High School this summer, a move that came in response to Pioneer High School's turf being resurfaced beginning this spring. 

"From our first match back in April 2015 until now, Hollway has been a great home pitch for our club. The last time we were beaten there dates back to July of 2016 and the staff and athletic department from Pioneer have been great to work with. We're thrilled for them to get the new turf they've been wanting for so long," said Chairman, Bilal Saeed. 

"We're looking forward to making Skyline our home this summer and keeping on with our winning ways. I have a ton of respect for Chris Morgan and the soccer program he's built there and I'm bias but I love the Skyline colors as well," added Saeed. 

Out of the ten home matches this summer, eight will be played at Skyline High School with two friendlies at other local venues. On April 21st, Ann Arbor will host Saginaw Valley State University in a friendly benefitting both the Huron Girls Varsity soccer team and SVSU's men's soccer team. On April 29th, Force FC will come to town for the 4th Annual Saline Showcase at Saline HS. 

Mark your calendars for April 15th, the season opener friendly against Carpathia FC and the first match at Skyline HS. Memberships and Flex Ticket Plans are on sale now with single match tickets set to go on sale March 12th. 

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Ann Arbor Agrees to Multiyear Partnership with Capelli Sport

Association Football Club Ann Arbor (AFC Ann Arbor) has established a multiyear partnership with Capelli Sport, the innovative sportswear and renowned team-wear brand, as the club’s Official Apparel Provider.

With the new partnership comes a new look for The Mighty Oak, which will be unveiled in early April, prior to the start of the 2018 season. The new Capelli Sport kits will feature four-year title sponsor Bank of Ann Arbor, on the front of the kit, with other sponsors still being considered for other jersey locations.

AFC Ann Arbor Chairman, Bilal Saeed sees the deal as a strategic move for the club that aligns them with one of the fastest growing brands in the sport adding, “There’s a lot of natural synergies in this relationship as we’re both young brands making a big splash in the soccer world. As Capelli continues to grow their reach across the US Soccer landscape, aligning with them gives us a strategic advantage as we continue to grow our footprint as well.”

Led by George Altirs, Capelli Sport was founded in 2011 by the GMA Group. It has quickly become an internationally recognized brand, known for its innovative sportswear and team wear, and mission to provide quality, functionality and design for high-level performance on the field.

“AFC Ann Arbor is a prime example of the type of program Capelli Sport looks to partner with,” Capelli Sport’s Sporting Manager Juan Santamaria said. “These athletes will be outfitted with gear and have access to equipment that has been designed to help them achieve their goals on the pitch.”

About Capelli Sport

In seven years of operation, Capelli Sport has become the official outfitter for a number of internationally recognized sporting organizations and clubs including, but not limited to, MSV Duisburg of Germany’s 2. Bundesliga, Penn FC of the United Soccer League, Fútbol Consultants Moravia of the Liga De Ascenso in Costa Rica, Montego Bay United FC of Jamaica’s National Premier League, and Inter Allies FC of the Ghana Premier League. Additionally, Capelli Sport outfits Panachaiki FC of the Second Division in Greece, and Deportes Temuco of the Primera División and San Luis De Quillota of the Primera División B in Chile. For more information on Capelli Sport, current partners, and how to join the team today, visit Capelli Sport, follow them on Twitter (@capellisport) and Instagram (CapelliSport), or visit the Capelli Sport Facebook page.

Mighty Oak Look to Defend Great Lakes Title in 2018

As the returning Great Lakes Champions, Association Football Club Ann Arbor are eager to get back on the pitch to defend their title, as they enter the club’s third season in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

The 2018 NPSL (Great Lakes Conference; Midwest Region) schedule includes twelve matches in total: six home and six away.

Just as they did in 2017, The AFC Ann Arbor will open up NPSL play on the road at Milwaukee. Last year’s contest against the Torrent proved to be a physical match and challenging opener, but AFCAA prevailed with a 3-1 scoreline and three points.

The NPSL home opener brings Detroit City FC to Ann Arbor. The Mighty Oak won both regular season matches against Le Rouge in 2017 but were unable to defeat them for a third time in an epic Midwest Region Final.

The playoff format will remain the same as the 2017 season, seeing the conference’s top two teams move on to the regional playoffs. Of those six teams, the top two conference winners in the Midwest Region will receive a bye to the regional semifinals.

Compared to last year’s schedule, The Mighty Oak will play two less league games (12 instead of 14) after two teams departed the conference (Lansing United and Michigan Stars) before adding FC Columbus.

In fourteen matches last season, Ann Arbor lost just one and finished with a 12-1-1 record, going undefeated at home. With an impressive 37 points and 2.6429 points per game average, The Mighty Oak finished second in the league power rankings (out of 96 teams) and lifted their first piece of NPSL silverware as the 2017 Great Lakes Conference Champions.

At the end of last year, the club announced Head Coach & Sporting Director, Eric Rudland would return to continue leading the club in its winning ways. The recruitment and assembly of 2018’s rosters has been under way for some months now and Rudland is excited for training to begin in April.

Chairman Bilal Saeed shared his thoughts on retaining Rudland, adding, “We’re lucky to have his leadership and motivation, shape the sporting culture of this club. He always talks about it being a players game and the importance of executing to get results, but it’s his mentality, dedication, professionalism and competitive spirit that puts in a position to succeed.”

AFC Ann Arbor will be releasing the complete 2018 schedule (friendlies + other competitions) in mid-February. 2018 Memberships and Flex Plans can be purchased now with single match tickets set to go on sale in late March.

Zisette Sets Sight on Domestic Deal

AFC Ann Arbor was founded in 2015 to continue the growth of soccer in the city of Ann Arbor. As the organization continues its efforts to achieve that goal, another key pillar for the club is the outlet it provides players who are continuing to develop their game in pursuit of playing at the highest level.

Fan favorite, Sam Zisette joined AFC Ann Arbor in the summer of 2017 and immediately became a key member of The Mighty Oak’s Great Lakes Conference Championship winning side. After finishing his collegiate career at Puget Sound, Sam made stops along the way with Kitsap Pumas (PDL) and Seattle Sounders II (USL). Upon the conclusion of the 2017 NPSL season, Sam was given the second annual “Strength in the Oak” Award due to his leadership and work rate on and off the pitch. 

"Sam became a part of the AFCAA Family right away and was engaged in all our community outreach. On the pitch he was one of our most reliable defenders and played a huge role in our seven clean sheets," added Chairman, Bilal Saeed. 

After AFC Ann Arbor’s heartbreaking loss to Detroit City FC in the NPSL Midwest Region Final, Zisette immediately boarded a plane to Spain after receiving an offer to continue his career with CD Almunecar City. Almunecar City is the senior side of Malaga City Academy and is competing in tier 6 Spanish Football. As Sam has been a key role player in the clubs almost certain first ever promotion campaign, he'll be returning to the states in pursuit of a domestic deal here in the US.

Aftering being viewed as a standout in the 2017 NPSL season, Sam has accepted an offer to participate in the 2018 NPSL Soccer Showcase event this January. This fourth annual event will take place in Kissimmee, Florida and will provide Sam a great opportunity to present his resume and showcase his skills in front of various professional clubs in the states.

Zisette added, “I do reflect on what I've done so far though and have to thank Eric and everyone at AFC for the opportunities given to me there. I wouldn't have had the opportunity to play in Spain had it not been for the connection I made in Ann Arbor and how the club set me up for success. Now I hope to do AFC proud at the NPSL Showcase!”

As a born leader and standout on the field, Sam is among the club’s favorite alumni. We were able to catch up and visit with Sam as he is preparing for his return to the US in the coming weeks. His entire interview can be seen below.

Q: Was playing soccer abroad always a goal of yours? Did playing in the NPSL prepare you for play overseas?

SZ:  I have wanted to play internationally for a long time and I used to research American players playing in leagues around the world to see what they did to get there. I have always wanted to travel and live in different parts of the world and I've also always wanted to play professionally, so being able to do those both at the same time has always been the dream. NPSL definitely prepared me as it gave me a ton of experience, especially at a position (right back) that I hadn't played since I was 14.

Q: Can you describe the soccer culture there in contrast to the American soccer experiences you had growing up?

SZ: The country revolves around soccer. I loved how every little town had a team no matter what the size and most towns had multiple teams. In America, those small-town teams are popping up more and more so that is cool to see, but in Spain there is obviously much more tradition so the teams have generational fanbases. I think in 15 years or so we'll have more generational fans who grew up supporting a team so then their children follow suit and so on.

Q: Now that you are a few months removed, can you reflect on your summer here in Ann Arbor with AFC? Any thoughts or memories you'd like to share?

SZ: I had an incredible experience at AFC. The staff and owners were extremely professional and organized and all of the players held a high standard at every training and match. The commitment level across the board was amazing to see and be a part of. I have a ton of great memories from my time but the top ones would have to be most of our matches. Winning a ton of matches in front of our home fans especially the home win against Detroit in the pouring rain, celebrating the conference title in Grand Rapids, the away win in Detroit in front of so many people, and Vaughany's late free kick to seal our first playoff win. It was also really cool to see how excited the kids were to get our autographs after every game. That made me feel like we were playing for much more than just ourselves, seeing how much it meant to the community. The friendships I made and time I spent with teammates outside of the field is always something I'll remember.

Q: You had a great college career and have semi-pro stops along the way in the US as well. Now as an international player, do you have any advice for players like yourself that are here? Any advice for the future players at AFC Ann Arbor?

SZ: My first piece of advice would be to take risks and put yourself out there into new and challenging situations. That could be open tryouts, combines, or a team on the other side of the country or abroad. It was really important for me to get out of my comfort zone and test myself in a new environment and if I had shied away from some of the challenges I wouldn't have grown as much both as a soccer player and as a person.

Second piece of advice would be to engage as much as possible with everyone around you and build a network. Players, coaches, fans, anyone you come in contact with. In soccer I think you have to have the ability and be able to perform but you also sometimes need people in your corner who can vouch for you and put you in front of the right people. Most steps I've made so far have come from having built a positive relationship and then that person was willing to give me a chance.