By Ryan Makuch
The AFCAA Family are no strangers to seeing their players go to the professional ranks. Whether it’s overseas or here in the U.S., The Mighty Oak are well-represented all over the globe, and are represented both in the outdoor as well as the indoor game. The indoor family is now extending as it was recently announced that Henry Ramirez would be signing his first professional contract with the Kansas City Comets of the MASL.
Ramirez featured in both 2018 and 2019 and, despite some injury issues, he made a huge impact for the side. Ramirez was an important part in the midfield early in the season for the dominant 2018 team and impressed in both seasons with his passing and his ability on the ball to hold off defenders – two things that could certainly help him in adjusting quickly to the indoor game.
Ramirez, when speaking to AFC Ann Arbor, noted how there was certainly some learning to be done. “Indoor is a different style compared to outdoor, so I’m still learning and getting used to things,” he said. Ramirez also elaborated on some of the aspects of his game that could carry over, saying, “I think my quickness and technical skills have helped me.” He would continue, saying, “My work ethic is what has helped me the most I would say; no matter what I always try to give it my best and work hard.” That hard work is what endeared him to the fans so quickly and what helped him earn a Main Street Hooligans sponsored scholarship to the 2018 Midwest Pro Soccer Combine.
Thinking back upon his time in Ann Arbor, Ramirez has much love and praise still for the club. He would say, “AFCAA is truly an amazing club from top down!” He also emphasized the role that the organization has played in his path to the professional ranks, saying, “AFCAA prepared me through the training environment of challenging myself and pushing myself against top players.”
The relationship between Ramirez and the KC Comets has been brewing for a while before his signing. A California native, Ramirez moved to Kansas City as a transfer student from Arizona Western College to UMKC, where he played his junior and senior seasons. “Indoor soccer is big here in Kansas City and since I’ve been here, I’ve heard about the professional team,” he would say. Before long, Ramirez became known in the Comets’ sphere, and he was invited to train with the side for two weeks during the winter. “This time around, they started having kick-arounds and invited me, so I started attending and one thing led to another, and the opportunity of being signed came into discussion.”
Ramirez may be from the West Coast, but he has taken to the Midwest quickly. When asked about his thoughts on Kansas City, Ramirez quickly stated, “I love it!” He called it an awesome city, even despite how it does get significantly colder in Kansas City than he’s used to in California. Ramirez also noted how he appreciated the sports roots of the team, with professional baseball, football, indoor and outdoor soccer, and Ramirez’s alma mater providing the city with a Division-I team as well. Turning attention to Ann Arbor as well, Ramirez said, “Compared to Ann Arbor, it has its similarities, but Ann Arbor is unique in its own way.” All three places hold their own special places in the heart of Ramirez.
Throughout the summer, Ramirez was also doing his due diligence to keep fit. “I’ve always tried to maintain fitness, whether that’s working out of playing with friends; I try to stay on top of that,” he would say. When restrictions lifted to allow more communal activities, Ramirez partook in local leagues as well to help maintain his fitness in a more competitive environment while also maintaining his own personal safety. The fitness training has allowed Ramirez to keep in shape and prepared for this professional opportunity.
Ramirez will join Braem and Will Eskay (both of Harrisburg Heat) and Sam Zisette (Tacoma Stars) as the fourth member of the AFCAA Family to play professionally in the MASL. He joins a continually expanding list of The Mighty Oak alums who are currently playing professional soccer, joining a list that includes over 20 former players. AFC Ann Arbor would like to congratulate Henry on his excellent work in gaining a professional contract, and we look forward to seeing what his future holds in Kansas City.