AFC Ann Arbor are thrilled to announce its newest addition for the 2019 roster, winger Alex Alexis. Alexis is a Haitian youth national who calls Miramar, Florida, his home. He spent his first two years on the collegiate level at Eastern Florida State College, before making the Division One jump to Florida Atlantic of C-USA for the 2018 season. Alexis played in all fifteen games last season for the Owls and started thirteen of those. He finished the season with a pair of goals, including an overtime winner against South Carolina in the 93rd minute, and ended up with the third-most shots on target on the team with nine. Only two other Owls started more games than Alexis in his first year with the university.
Alexis has spent time with the U-14 National Side for Haiti in 2011, and also spent some time at South Kent prep school in Connecticut. When asked why he has made the move from a school career in Florida up to Michigan for the summer, he said, “This is another experience for me to challenge myself and work towards getting to the next level. The fans, the winning culture, and teammates who have different backgrounds such as mine (coming from different countries/states) helped me to make the decision of taking advantage of this opportunity.” The Mighty Oak take pride in their multi-national representation, with seven countries represented last season, already seven represented this season now counting Alexis, and colleges located in four different states have all been represented as well.
Fitting into AFCAA, Eric Rudland sees Alexis as a man who can make a difference in attack on the wing. “He is a dynamic and pacey winger who will be a dangerous weapon for us going forward,” said the head coach. “He can play as a true winger or inverted, which will provide us with tactical flexibility from game to game as we look to set the team up for success.” The option of either side gives added versatility for The Mighty Oak as they may look at multiple ways to set the side up, especially in early stages of the season.
Talking about his own abilities, Alexis said, “One of my greatest strengths is my speed and my ability to control the ball and create for myself and my teammates in front of the goal. I am a hard worker on the field and I always give 100%.” Adding to that, and something that should be music to supporters’ ears, is Alexis stating, “I try to be the extension of my coach through leadership to my teammates.” With how essential the wide players are to this AFC side, players who work hard on the pitch at all times are valued dearly.
“My collegiate season at Florida Atlantic has helped me prepare for the NPSL season because I played in a tough conference against teams that have made me better each game,” said Alexis, in regards to preparation for this NPSL season to come. Before joining FAU, at Eastern Florida State, he scored eleven goals with thirteen assists over his 31-game career as a freshman and sophomore. The jump to D1 soccer can provide trouble to players at times, but the pacey winger has been able to adjust to play within one of the tougher soccer conferences in the mid-majors.
Looking ahead to the season and what excites him the most, Alexis said, “I can’t wait to be a part of the AFCAA community and I’m excited to help my teammates and give the fans what they want this season by winning the championship.” Top to bottom, it is generally held by those within the organization that championships are the fuel for the season. With Alexis already on board with that mentality, it is a positive sign that the winger should have no difficulty embedding himself well within The Mighty Oak’s philosophy. “I hope to be the best at my role as a new addition to the team when it comes to winning games, and being a go-to person/player for my coaching staff and teammates,” was the hope of Alexis for the season ahead. “I am looking forward to building new relationships, becoming a stronger player, and working towards my goal of playing professionally.” With the recent track record of AFC Ann Arbor, the soon-to-be senior is set to join the right team to help and make that goal a reality.
About AFC Ann Arbor
Founded in 2014, Association Football Club Ann Arbor launched it’s men’s semi-pro team in 2015 and has competed in the NPSL since 2016. Led by Head Coach & Sporting Director, Eric Rudland, the team has found great success winning back to back Great Lakes Championships (‘17 & ‘18) and earning US Open Cup bids three straight years (2017-2019). In October 2018, the club announced the launch of the women’s side, who will be skippered by Andy “Pritch” Pritchard in their inaugural season of the United Women’s Soccer national league. Owned and operated by a group of local soccer fans and entrepreneurs, AFC Ann Arbor has become a fixture in the greater Ann Arbor community.