AFC Ann Arbor 2026 Season Preview
AFC Ann Arbor 2026 Season Preview
ANN ARBOR, Mich. — AFC Ann Arbor enters the 2026 season building off strong performances across both its women’s and men’s programs. With returning talent and key additions across both rosters, the club enters the campaign with clear expectations and postseason aspirations.
WOMEN’S OUTLOOK
On the women’s side, the Mighty Oak returns following a 2025 campaign that saw the club finish second in the division with a 6-2-2 record and 21 points. AFC Ann Arbor narrowly missed postseason qualification, underscoring how slim the margin is at the top of the USL W League.
In his first season as head coach, Victor Plasse guided the group into postseason contention with a 6-2-2 record. Entering 2026, the focus is clear: turning consistent results into a postseason return.
The roster features announced 2026 additions, including Hannah Sparks, Katie McCutcheon, Larissa Joso Luma, Ainara Aldeano Freire, Bella Haynes, Rylee Felton, Yeirdan Padilla, and Jordan LeVasseur, giving AFC Ann Arbor new options as the group looks to build on last season’s foundation.
The group enters 2026 focused on maintaining last season’s momentum, building consistency across the lineup, and pushing toward postseason success. For AFC Ann Arbor, the next step will be turning strong stretches of play into the results needed to remain near the top of the division.
MEN’S OUTLOOK
On the men’s side, AFC Ann Arbor enters the 2026 season following an 8-3-3 campaign in 2025, positioning itself among the top teams in the division within USL League Two play. Under head coach Rod Asllani, the Mighty Oak has posted a 27-16-9 record from 2022-2025, giving the program a strong foundation entering the new campaign. Entering 2026, the focus shifts toward translating last season’s consistency into postseason positioning.
The men’s roster features announced 2026 additions and returners, including Rodrigo Franco, Prince Kofi Abban, Jakob Reinhard, Johan Helan, William Kim, Riad Zitouni, Jelani Brathwaite, and Rhys Moller, adding depth as AFC Ann Arbor looks to maintain its position near the top of the division.
The team enters 2026 focused on maintaining momentum, building on last season’s consistency, and continuing to compete near the top of the division. For AFC Ann Arbor, the next step will be sustaining strong regular-season form and converting those performances into postseason positioning.
SCHEDULE NOTES
On the women’s schedule, AFC Ann Arbor opens its 2026 home slate against Detroit City FC on Saturday, May 16 at 7 p.m. at Hollway Field for Teacher Appreciation Day. The Mighty Oak will also host Union Macomb on Monday, May 25 at 3 p.m. for Memorial Day before welcoming
Midwest United FC on Saturday, June 6 at 7 p.m. during A2Zero Week/Zero Waste.
AFC Ann Arbor will meet Detroit City FC again on Tuesday, June 16 at 7 p.m. for Women in Sports Day, setting up a midseason rivalry rematch with potential postseason implications. The women’s regular season concludes June 28 against Kalamazoo FC at 3 p.m., closing a compact summer schedule where consistency will likely determine positioning near the top of the division standings.
AFC Ann Arbor opens its men’s home schedule against Lansing City Football on Saturday, May 23, at 7 p.m. for Character Day. The Mighty Oak will also host Union Macomb on Friday, May 29, at 7 p.m. for My Future Fund Night before entering a key June stretch against Midwest United FC on Saturday, June 13, at 3 p.m. for World Soccer Day and Flint City Bucks on June 24 at 7 p.m.
The men’s regular season continues July 3 against Oakland County FC at 7 p.m. before concluding July 11 against Kalamazoo FC at 7 p.m. The finale gives AFC Ann Arbor one final regular-season opportunity to strengthen its postseason position.
WHAT TO WATCH
What to watch entering the season is how both groups turn new roster pieces and returning foundations into postseason positioning. For the women, that means converting last year’s narrow margins into key results. For the men, the focus centers on building off an 8-3-3 campaign and sustaining strong regular-season form.
As a club, AFC Ann Arbor enters the 2026 season with both programs aligned in expectation and opportunity. With strong foundations across both teams, the focus now shifts toward execution in decisive moments and the results needed to push each group toward postseason contention.
FOLLOW AFC ANN ARBOR
For tickets, schedules, and additional information, visit AFCAnnArbor.com. Fans can purchase season tickets, single-match tickets, and sign up for free youth match passes for ages 13 and under at tickets.afcannarbor.com.
Fans can also join AFC Ann Arbor on FanSaves to access local deals and club partner offers throughout the season.
Matches throughout the 2026 season will also be streamed live on SportsEngine Play.
Follow AFC Ann Arbor on Instagram, Facebook, X, TikTok, and Bluesky @AFCAnnArbor for updates throughout the 2026 season.