For midfielder Tyler Kato, AFC Ann Arbor has been a lifelong story. From growing up as a fan to making his debut in 2022, his journey with the Mighty Oak has come full circle. Kato, who also played at the Air Force Academy and Duquesne University, embodies the club’s deep community focus. "AFC is more than just a club, it's truly a family," he says. "It’s about serving the people of Ann Arbor and inspiring the next generation.”

AFC Ann Arbor’s partnership with Destination Ann Arbor shows how soccer has become a gateway to the city itself—connecting visitors to local culture, community, and the unique energy of Ann Arbor through matchday experiences.

Today, Emily Eitzman is one of the most multidimensional figures to come through AFC Ann Arbor—a player whose influence stretches far beyond the soccer field. With a résumé that spans neuroscience research, adaptive sports leadership, social innovation, and semi-professional soccer, Emily embodies exactly what the club hopes to cultivate: athletes who lead with purpose. For her, the roots of that purpose come back to the Mighty Oak crest and a community that taught her sport can be a vehicle for something much bigger.

AFC Ann Arbor and Food Gatherers unite each season to support local families. This story highlights how shared values and small acts of generosity strengthen our community.