Why These Final Weeks Matter: A Letter from Club Director Jamey Amrine

There are only four AFC Ann Arbor home matches remaining this summer.

In a few short weeks, the players, coaches, and staff who have spent the season together will head back to their colleges, clubs, jobs, and hometowns. Before that happens, I wanted to share something that has been on my mind.

One of the things that never stops amazing me about AFC Ann Arbor is how quickly a team comes together.

Every May, players arrive in Ann Arbor from different countries, different backgrounds, and different levels of the game. Most have never met before. Within a matter of weeks, they’re training together, traveling together, competing together, and representing our community.

Just as quickly as it comes together, the season comes to an end.

What many supporters may not realize is that the players don’t just leave with memories of soccer. They leave with memories of Ann Arbor.

Over the years, I’ve watched players build friendships with supporters, connect with local families, mentor young players, and become part of the AFC Ann Arbor family. Sometimes those connections happen because of soccer. Sometimes they happen because someone discovers a shared hometown, a common interest, or a similar life experience.

Those relationships often continue long after the final whistle of the season. Players come back to visit. They stay in touch with people they’ve met here. They follow what’s happening in Ann Arbor and with AFC Ann Arbor. In many ways, they leave as ambassadors for our city and community.

That’s one of the reasons Tuesday night’s match meant so much to me.

The result wasn’t what we wanted, but looking around Hollway Field, seeing the stands full, the Kids Zone buzzing, and so many people gathered together reminded me what makes this club special. Every person who comes to a match helps create an experience that players carry with them long after they’ve left Ann Arbor.

We still have four opportunities left to do that together: three more men’s matches and one final women’s match at Hollway Field.

Whether you’ve attended every match this season or have been meaning to make it out for the first time, I hope you’ll join us for the final stretch.

Thank you to our players, coaches, volunteers, supporters, sponsors, and community partners for everything you’ve contributed this season. Together, you’ve helped make AFC Ann Arbor something much bigger than a soccer team.

I hope to see you at Hollway Field soon.

Come On You Mighty Oak,

Jamey Amrine
Chair & Club Director
AFC Ann Arbor