By Jinseong Kim
AFC Ann Arbor had their third double matchday of the season on Friday, June 10, as the women hosted Racing Louisville FC in Saline and men encountered Midwest United FC in Grand Rapids. The men came back home with three points in their pocket after a thrilling 5-1 victory, while the women proudly earned a point with a 2-all scoreline against the division powerhouse.
Men at Midwest United
The first 25 minutes of action at Midwest United FC Complex was rather rigid, with few notable actions took place. An indirect free kick for the hosts inside the box was the threat closest to the goal but it was nicely saved by Rob Spradlin, who had a stellar day with several excellent saves. Defending AFCAA’s net for the first time, Spradlin, a Huron High alumni, executed his first action to perfection, and the crisis was averted.
Just minutes later, it was Junior Nare who broke the deadlock at the 28th minute mark. Nick Stone provided a long ball to Nare on the left flank, and the South African struck it to the top right corner after dribbling past defenders. The second came two minutes later, in a very similar fashion. Stone at the back repeated the long range pass to the player on the right, and Tomas Casas happened to be the beneficiary. Casas, like Nare, danced around the defenders and struck the ball well into the net.
The start of the second half was an indication of how the rest would progress in the way AFCAA wanted. Only a minute after the restart, Yushi Nagao joined Nare and Casas on the scoresheet by converting Nare’s pass to a well-struck right-footed effort in front of the box.
Luke Benford became the late hero of the game in the last 20 minutes. In the 71st minute, Benfored booted in Malcolm Young’s well-whipped cross from the right flank, sending it to the point where the goalie couldn’t get his hands on.
Four minutes later, Benford completed a brace thanks to help from the goalscorer Nagao, which widened the deficit to five. Midwest later scored a consolation goal in the 87th minute but it was never a threat for The Mighty Oak, who ended as comfortable 5-1 victors.
Women v. Racing Louisville
Like the men's game, not many chances took place in the first half. Some long range shots from Angeline Kieh and Claire Cahalan were the best of the bunch, but it was not enough to break the deadlock just yet. The stalemate was skewed to the visitors four minutes before the half. Emily Madril sent the free kick into AFCAA’s box, which found Sarah Hernandez who connected on a well-headed goal.
But Ann Arbor gave an immediate response only 20 seconds after the restart. Luana Grabias, who scored the earliest goal in AFCAA history against Indy Eleven, did it again. Pressing the defense and causing the mistake, Grabias gained possession the ball and easily beat the goalkeeper.
The Mighty Oak made a dramatic comeback in the 74th minute with a goal-of-the-month worthy effort from Brooklyn Whitehead. Receiving a pass from Lina Berra on the left flank, the substitute drove tens of yards forward all by herself and overcame the pressure from three defenders around her. The confident move and joyful finish brought the game back to AFCAA’s favor, and it was a perfect self-celebration for Whitehead, who recently enjoyed her graduation from Holly Springs High.
Unfortunately, The Mighty Oak allowed Louisville to end the game in level at the very last minute of the match. Allison Schlegel headed a cross from the right, and it found Emily Madril running to the box. Olivia Brannon almost got her feet on, but Madril completed an early shot in a fifty-fifty situation.
The AFCAA women have now maintained their unbeaten record in the last five games, this result now coming against very disciplined Racing Louisville.
The women are back in action next Wednesday, June 15 away at Keyworth Stadium against Detroit City FC, while the men are back home on Friday, June 17 hosting Flint City Bucks.
About AFC Ann Arbor
Association Football Club Ann Arbor (AFC Ann Arbor) was founded in 2014 and competes in USL2 (men’s) and USLW (women’s) national amateur leagues. We are a community-based club, focused on equity, justice, and anti-racism. We consider all of our stakeholders, including supporters, players, staff, and ownership to be part of the #AFCAAFamily. Come On You Mighty Oak!