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.