AFC Ann Arbor hope to become the fourth and final semi-finalist for the next stage of the Michigan Milk Cup. Standing in their way is one of the UPSL’s newest clubs: BiH GR. The two teams will play at 6 PM at Concordia in what is the third annual Michigan Milk Cup. AFCAA are no strangers to the competition, having won the very first cup while finishing as runner-up to Lansing United last season. BiH GR, meanwhile, look to follow the trend that Oakland County FC set of a UPSL team knocking off an NPSL side (Kalamazoo FC) in the quarter-finals.

The Mighty Oak head into this match with just one loss in all competitions this season, that being a U.S. Open Cup loss to pro side Lansing Ignite on the road. They enter the match on a four-match unbeaten run that has most recently seen them pick up four points out of a six possible this Memorial Day weekend, including a 1-0 home victory over Michigan Stars on Memorial Day. Jarred Dass was the hero of the day with the lone goal of the match and he was named AFCAA Man of the Match.

In these somewhat early stages of the season, The Mighty Oak are sitting top of the table in the NPSL Great Lakes Conference in both total points (eleven points in five games) as well as points per game, which decided NPSL regional seeding at the end of the year (2.2 points per game). While playing more games than every other team in the conference, they have conceded joint-fewest goals over the 2019 campaign with three let in. Their nearest rivals in points are Detroit City FC and Kalamazoo FC, who both sit four points back with a game in hand. Grand Rapids FC have six points through three games, and this sets up a massive Great Lakes clash on the weekend.

The Opponent

Before thinking about GRFC, however, all sights are set on the newcomer to the Grand Rapids soccer scene. BiH GR are in their first season of existence and are on a strong start to the season. BiH GR handled their first-round opponent, Bafana United, easily to the tune of a 6-0 victory, setting up this match. They sit top of the table in the UPSL Midwest – East Division with seven points in four games, but by the end of Wednesday will slip to at least second in as a result of Oakland County FC and Carpathia FC squaring off (both have six points through just two games). For the new UPSL side, this match represents a massive opportunity to make a name for themselves within Michigan.