Black History Month: Albert Wheeler

(Photo Credit: Ann Arbor District Library, Image Rights held by The Ann Arbor News)

By Ryan Makuch

This Black History Month, AFC Ann Arbor want to take time to shine light on those involved in Black History within our community and our club. We will be featuring members of either the AFC Ann Arbor Family or the Ann Arbor-community each week in an attempt to celebrate the accomplishments of each of these men and women.

Albert Wheeler’s story begins in St. Louis, Missouri, but from there it goes on a long, winding, path, to end up in Ann Arbor. Born in 1915 and raised in St. Louis, Wheeler would move out to Oxford, Pennsylvania, to attend Lincoln University for undergraduate schooling, and then move back to the Midwest for grad school at Iowa State University. Wheeler would then move to Ann Arbor in the late-1930s to work towards a Ph.D. at Michigan – this also happens to be where he met his wife, Emma, and the two would wed in 1938.

Albert would graduate with his Ph.D. in 1944 and would quickly become a research associate for the university’s Serology Laboratory. Albert would continue in that role until 1952 when he would be named to a newly created position in microbiology that would ultimately make him the first ever tenured Black professor at the University of Michigan. His department specialty was venereal disease, with a focus on syphilis, and he would achieve promotions to associate then full professor, before earning the title ‘Professor Emeritus of Microbiology and Immunology’ upon his retirement in 1981.

Aside from his work with the university (or perhaps partially because of his profession as one of a select few Black professionals in Ann Arbor in the 1940s) he was also actively involved in civil activism. He was one of the founding members of the Ann Arbor Civic Forum, which would eventually become the city’s NAACP chapter (a chapter in which Albert and Emma were integral in setting up, as well). In the 1950s, the Civic Forum assisted in pushing the local government to establishing a Human Relations Commission to look into discrimination into the city – Albert would serve as part of it.

Emma was also heavily involved in activism during this time. She led the NAACP in protests that eventually led to the passage of the Ann Arbor Fair Housing Ordinance, which included nightly picketing for two years until the passage of this ordinance. Emma also worked to help recognize the needs of Black high school students and to redefine school disciplinary actions, which tended to be racially discriminatory, and helped design the first racial integration plan for the public schools of Ann Arbor. While she may not have been involved in the political spectrum like Albert was, Emma was a key member of the community as well.

Throughout the 1960s, Albert would continue to get involved in the political process, this time on a higher level in the state. In 1961 he would write a proposal to the Michigan Constitutional Convention which led to the establishment of the Michigan Civil Rights Commission, the first and only commission of its kind in the United States. He was vital in not just the writing but the pushing for this commission to be established in the state. In the late-60s he would also serve as the president of the Michigan NAACP branches, emphasizing his importance in both civil rights and the political sphere.

In 1975, Albert would run for mayor in the city of Ann Arbor. For the first time in United States mayoral history, the winner between him and incumbent James Stephenson was decided thanks to ranked-choice voting; a process in which, since no candidate received at least 50% of the vote, the second choice for a third-party candidate was counted. The system of ranked choice voting was argued against, primarily by Republicans, including those on a Board of Canvassers who refused to certify the election in Albert’s favor for a time, and in 1976 voters decided to repeal ranked-choice voting after just one year and one use.

Wheeler would become the first Black mayor in Ann Arbor history and to this day remains the only Black mayor to have served the city. While in office, Mayor Wheeler established both a city Human Services Department and a Fair Rental Practices Commission, two of his most lasting policy changes. Mayor Wheeler would only serve one term after another hectic election in 1977. Albert initially won by a single vote. He would, however, lose a court-ordered re-election in 1978 after it was revealed that voters were registered by the city clerk despite not living in the city of Ann Arbor. Albert’s mayoral stint may have contained this political theater drama; however, his lasting impact comes from ascending to the seat and serving his community in ways that extended far beyond a political seat.

Albert Wheeler continued to serve Ann Arbor up until his death in 1994. He would be survived by Emma, who remained a powerful force in the fight for equality and a champion in assisting those in need.

AFC Ann Arbor Withdraws from 2021 League Two Season

Due to the continuing global pandemic and the challenging circumstances it presents, AFC Ann Arbor announced today that the men’s team will not participate in the 2021 USL League Two season. This difficult decision was made out of necessity to prioritize the health and safety of everyone at our club, including players, staff, supporters and sponsors.

After careful thought and consideration, club leadership determined that the challenges of the ongoing COVID-19 crisis present a significant obstacle to the men’s team’s ability to compete this summer. The club is currently working with UWS leadership to determine if the women’s team will face similar circumstances.

“From the beginning of the pandemic, we have been precautious about our return to play and have followed the guidance and advice of our state's top medical expert, Dr. Joneigh Khaldun,” said Bilal Saeed, Chair of AFC Ann Arbor. “Her leadership has helped save countless lives and she continues to urge people to take precautions in contact sports. When we consider the circumstances in Washtenaw County, we felt it was in the best interest of the club to sit out league play for 2021." 

Current Washtenaw County guidelines note that “Athletes must wear a face mask at all times, except in activities where face masks are not able to be worn safely.” They also add that “Testing is required for contact sports and activities where a mask cannot be worn safely.” Under these guidelines and current state restrictions, we cannot in good conscience bring players in for a league season. 

“We understand AFC Ann Arbor’s decision to withdraw from participation in the 2021 League Two season,” said USL Vice President Joel Nash. “Each club must make what they feel is in the best interest of the health and safety of players, fans and staff. We look forward to pursuing their continued participation in League Two going into the 2022 season.” 

AFC Ann Arbor have remained very active as an organization with a number of community initiatives and will be expanding existing projects while introducing new ones over the coming months. This summer, through Community Kicks, we helped distribute over 30,000 “Learn Soccer” lunch bags to match the drastic increase in demand for meal assistance. New community initiatives will continue as planned with more being announced in the near future. For the latest in AFC Ann Arbor news, be sure to sign up for our newsletter.

Black History Month: Ida Gray

By Ryan Makuch

This Black History Month, AFC Ann Arbor want to take time to shine light on those involved in Black History within our community and our club. We will be featuring members of either the AFC Ann Arbor Family or the Ann Arbor-community each week in an attempt to celebrate the accomplishments of each of these men and women.

Ida Gray was born over 150 years ago, but she will remain in United States history as the first-ever Black woman to become a dentist in the country’s history. Gray was born in 1867 in Clarksville, Tennessee, to a teenage mother who died when she was in her early-teens. An orphan, she was sent to Cincinnati to live with her aunt where she would attend the segregated public school and graduate in 1887.

During this high school period is when her love for dentistry came into bloom. Gray’s part-time job during high school was in the dentist’s office of Jonathan Taft. Initially the dean of the Ohio College of Dentistry, he moved to the University of Michigan to help establish their dental school. Gray’s three years’ experience under Taft helped her ace the entrance exam and she would gain acceptance to the university.

Gray’s marks at Michigan were strong and in just three years she would become the first Black woman to graduate from an American university with a Doctorate of Dental Surgery in June of 1890. She would return to Cincinnati and establish her own practice, something that, at the time, received widespread press coverage in newspapers and the writings of the time.

Gray would get married and ultimately move her office to Chicago in 1895. She would continue to serve her community as a dentist, but Gray was heavily involved in social issues as well. She would serve as Vice President for the Professional Women’s Club of Chicago, an organization that is still active today. She was also a member of the Phyllis Wheatley Club, which ran the only shelter for Black women in the city of Chicago.

Not only was she involved on a level of societal change, but Gray influenced individuals as well. One of her patients, Olive Henderson, would become the second Black woman to practice dentistry in the city of Chicago in 1908 with her graduation from Northwestern, with only Gray coming before her.

Gray’s impact in Ann Arbor continues to live on. The University of Michigan honors her memory with the awarding of the ‘Ida Gray Award’ each year to a student, or students, that “have contributed to the advancement of diversity and who have improved the climate for work, learning, research and patient care.” Gray would pass away in 1953 in Chicago at the age of 86.

Gray’s ability to pave the way has led to many, many, opportunities, and places Ann Arbor at the center of dentistry history. The legacy of Ida Gray will live on in the dental profession, but there is still work to be done. The University of Michigan had 669 students in its Fall 2020 class in the School of Dentistry. Only 36 of them identified as Black, and 21 of them were women, according to their diversity metrics. A WEMU feature on Ida Gray last year noted that just 5.9% of students in the Doctor of Dental Surgery program are Black, as well.

The issue of underrepresentation in medical fields remains a troubling and difficult one for Black men and women. Black women are notably two to six times more likely to die from childbirth complications than white women. Many medical books and lessons used for instruction have propagated false ideas like the idea that Black people felt less pain. There are several organizations working to ensure that Black people are represented in medical fields in the future.

We celebrate the legacy of Ida Gray and the role that our city played in her life, however we also want to ensure that those that come after her are given the opportunities they need to flourish in a positive environment.

Black History Month: Larry Hunter

(Photo Credit: Ann Arbor District Library, Image Rights held by The Ann Arbor News)

By Ryan Makuch

This Black History Month, AFC Ann Arbor wants to take time to shine a light on those involved in Black History within our community and our club. Each week, we will be featuring members of either the AFC Ann Arbor Family or the Ann Arbor-community in an attempt to celebrate the accomplishments of each of these men and women.

Larry Hunter passed away just a couple of short months ago, but the impact he left on the community thanks to his actions while living will keep him alive for years and years. Born in 1951, Hunter would move to Ann Arbor with his family while he was in junior high school and spent the majority of his life in either Ann Arbor or Ypsilanti. Hunter attended Ann Arbor Pioneer High School and was involved at an early age in social activism as a member of the Black Student Union.

Hunter continued to grow in political involvement during his high school years. As a member of several organizations outside of just the Black Student Union, he marched against housing discrimination in Ann Arbor and anti-police rallies, among many other marching campaigns.

At around this time, the Vietnam War was in full effect, and the war itself helped spur Hunter into joining the Black Panther Party. He said in his interview with the Ann Arbor District Library in 2018, “I did my research, finding all of my friends, and figuring out from Time magazine…and some other research that all they were doing was sending young black men in the front line. And I thought it was just wrong, just absolutely wrong. Seeing my friends come back, I said this is crazy.” Hunter became a conscientious objector and stood firm in his beliefs, refusing to concede to pressure from the federal government but also to people around him giving him the advice to lie to get out of service due to religious beliefs.

Hunter said, in that same interview, about joining the Black Panther Party, “Well, first it started for me reading Malcolm X, and my consciousness was arisen. But then I saw these folks from Oakland, California, and I started reading about what they believed in. And I said, oh, these are my kind of folks.” Hunter fit right into the ethos of the party and whether it was helping protect Wiley Brownless, principal of Community High School during the time of school integration, and his family, helping serve breakfast to kids in need, or engaging in literature through the party, Hunter was able to make the community a better place through his own knowledge and abilities.

In 1982, Hunter ran for public office for the first time and would defeat a three-time incumbent Ann Arbor City Council member, Earl Greene, in the primary, before winning the seat itself in April. Hunter was a powerful voice in advocating for social change and was a vital part on several different fronts as a councilperson. In his first term, just months after getting elected to his seat, he helped push the council into creating a Downtown Development Authority and also helped spur the council into creating a financing plan that would help combat urban decline in Ann Arbor.

He also was deeply involved in human rights issues and in 1985 he helped pass a resolution that would divest stock the city held in apartheid South Africa. As a councilperson, and before and after serving on the council, Hunter was dedicated to improving housing and advocating for affordable housing and would split party-lines to work to build that housing. In 1993, he announced that he would not seek another term, and instead supported Patricia Veeren-Dixon (now Byrd) who would become the first Black woman to earn a spot on Ann Arbor’s City Council.

Following this, Hunter moved to Washington D.C., earned a law degree, and supported lawsuits for fair housing, among many other things, in D.C. He has been described as a modern Renaissance man who loved books, policy, history, was a skilled handyman, a talented percussionist, and even a skilled baseball player who earned an offer from the Kansas City Royals as a youth to play in their minor leagues. Even just months before his death, he remained active in the Michigan political sphere, partaking in a Zoom discussion with State Representative Debbie Dingell. Hunter’s impact on Ann Arbor cannot be overstated and he was able to help change the entirety of Washtenaw County in a positive way.

Five Activists Who Greatly Impacted MLK

By Ryan Makuch & Bilal Saeed

In the world of sport, we know all about the folks behind the scenes, the role players and the unsung heroes. On this Martin Luther King Day, we wanted to take some time and celebrate those comrades of Dr. King, who helped push for civil rights alongside him during the 1950s-60s, and in the decades that followed. In an attempt to help shine a light on activists who made huge strides for equality, we wanted to profile the peers of Dr. King who worked with him, whether that is in the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC), during one of his many large civil rights protests or movements, or those that served alongside him as a mentor, friend, or fellow activist. We hope that this can allow you to learn about those who strove for change alongside Dr. King.

Coretta Scott King

When talking about Dr. King’s “teammates”, we’d be remiss to start with anyone other than his wife. Scott is a crucial part to why we have MLK Day, as she worked to establish it as a national holiday, ultimately getting her wish in 1986. During much of King’s career, Scott balanced taking care of their four children along with activist work. Following the death of King, Scott took an even greater step into the world of activism and founded The King Center in 1969, which strives to serve as a living testament to King’s life and works. Scott also expanded her work past just working towards equality for Black people in the U.S. and began speaking out about other issues both in the U.S. and across the globe. She was an adamant protestor of the Vietnam War and a strong opponent to the South African apartheid regime. She also was devoted to pushing for LGBTQ+ rights, women’s rights, and world peace, and often sought to connect her various causes through intersectional means. Scott would pass in 2006 at the age of 78, having received accolades from not just various universities, but also the U.S. and Indian governments.

Ralph Abernathy

A Baptist minister, Abernathy first met Dr. King in 1954 while King was becoming a pastor at a local church. Abernathy would quickly become a mentor to King and while already a member of the Montgomery NAACP, his role as a public-facing civil rights activist would increase more during the Montgomery bus boycott. Abernathy was a member of the first executive board of the Southern Christian Leadership Conference (SCLC) where he served as Financial Secretary-Treasurer. Abernathy and King collaborated on several issues in the years that followed, and the two were involved in the success of several nonviolent movements while also getting jailed 17 times together for their roles in the movement. Abernathy introduced King ahead of his final public address, and was inside the motel room when King was shot and killed on the balcony. After King’s death, Abernathy would assume the role of President of the SCLC and continued worked for civil rights, including supporting striking sanitation workers in Memphis and hospital workers in Charleston and helping to negotiate a peace settlement at Wounded Knee. Abernathy passed away at the age of 64 in Atlanta; he was awarded over 300 awards, five honorary doctorate degrees, and now has a hall dedicated to him at Alabama State, his alma mater.

Dorothy Height

Height’s connection to Dr. King is by way of being one of the ‘Civil Rights Six’, however her services to the Civil Rights Movement often went unheralded by the press of her day due to sexism. Height was named President of the National Council of Negro Women (NCNW) in 1957 and under her the organization supported voter registration efforts in the South, funded activists all over the country, and helped organize Wednesdays in Mississippi – a program that, starting in 1964, saw weekly teams of northern women travel to Mississippi to reach out to those in the South with the goal to end segregation. In addition to her work with the NCNW, she also worked with the Young Women’s Christian Association for 40 years, dating from 1937 to 1977. Her advocacy in this realm led to improved conditions for Black workers and ultimately, she helped assist them on a national level with their integration policy. She was also a driving force behind the crafting of a statue to honor Mary McLeod Bethune in 1974, the first ever statue of a woman or an African-American on U.S. Federal land. Height passed away at the age of 98 in Washington D.C., but not before earning the Presidential Medal of Freedom and being called “the godmother of the civil rights movement” by then-President Barack Obama.

Ella Baker

Ms. Baker began joining social activist organizations in her twenties and had one of the longest, most impactful lives as a grassroots organizer and activist. She was a field secretary and director for the NAACP before co-founding the organization ‘In Friendship’ to raise money to fight against Jim Crow Laws in the deep South. Just a couple years later, she would move to Atlanta to join Dr. King’s SCLC. Dr. Barbara Ransby, author of Ella Baker and the Black Freedom Movement, describes how Ms. Baker was a key influencer in shaping the agenda and issues the SCLC would focus on. Dr. Ransby also notes that Ella Baker’s work can be seen in today’s movements, specifically her ideology around decentralized, grassroots leadership. One of Ms. Baker’s famous quotes sums it up well, “A strong people don’t need a strong leader.” Her ability to organize and lead gave her a strong and powerful voice which often created difficulties for Ms. Baker, even within the SCLC and with Dr. King. Many consider this a key factor in why she is remembered in the same light as some of the other civil rights leaders of her time. Even though she was never after spotlight and recognition, Ms. Baker should be remembered as one of the most influential activists of all time. 

Bayard Rustin

Bayard Rustin co-organized the March on Washington Movement to help provide fair working opportunities for African-Americans and desegregate the armed forces. Growing up in a household with visits from NAACP leaders like W.E.B Du Bois was no stranger to activsim and was an organizer and activist for generations. Rustin spent time in the 50’s in Africa meeting with activists who were resisting the British colonial government there. He also stopped in London to meet with civil rights activists about how to encourage non violent independence movements among Britain’s African colonies. Rustin fought for worker’s rights, human rights, gay rights and was possibly the most influential voice for non-violence in the movement. As a close confidant of Ms. Baker, the two may have been the biggest influences on MLK behind the scenes. Rustin once said, “The glorious thing is that he came to a profoundly deep understanding of nonviolence through the struggle itself, and through reading and discussions which he had in the process of carrying on the protest.”

2020 Reflections from Club Founder, Jamey Amrine

This has been a year of challenges. The pandemic has upended so many aspects of our lives. Social issues took center stage, particularly the cases of police brutality that took the lives of George Floyd, Breonna Taylor, Rayshard Brooks, and too many others. Making the decision to suspend soccer operations for the year was a small matter compared to what was going on in our city, our state, and the world at large. While we deeply missed the excitement of seeing our returning players, the new members of the AFCAA Family that would have joined them on the field, and most of all our beloved fans, we know that the pandemic will pass, and we will get to enjoy these pleasures in due time. Challenges breed opportunity, and we were able to take the time away from the pitch to refocus and expand our reach.

Community engagement has been a mainstay of our mission since the beginning, and we’ve redoubled our efforts in absence of a season. The Community Kicks initiative, as part of our non-profit The Mighty Oak Youth Project, worked with the Michigan Dairy Farmers to provide 30,000 meals to those families impacted by food scarcity which has been exacerbated by the school closures. The generosity of our fanbase and other donors in our community led to a massive increase in donations to TMOYP which enabled this program. Additionally, TMOYP is working on new initiatives that address literacy and access to soccer in underserved populations in our county. We also honored those food heroes that have stepped up since March to make sure children around the state don’t go hungry.

Our first youth board representative, AFCAA standout Emily Eitzman, became a full board member. Emily has been spending this year flexing her creative side by painting and writing. She even donated one of her paintings to our friends at Bishop Elementary. I’d also love to thank Nick Lacy, TMOYP Board President, as well as the other Board members for their commitment to these amazing programs.

While the national election was a constant in the news cycle this year, I would like to take a moment to focus locally, and congratulate Main Street Hooligan and AFCAA superfan Travis Radina, formerly the director of the Jim Toy Center, for his election to the Ann Arbor City Council. Few people in our community are as committed to the rights of all people as Travis, and he’ll be an incredible servant to our community. I’m proud to count him among the AFCAA Family.

In November, the Collegiate Soccer Society at Michigan held a virtual conference. One of the most talked about panels focused on Building Anti Racist Soccer Clubs. Our club Chair, Bilal Saeed, sat in on the panel. Our club has always valued diversity and representation within our board and our coaching staff. In 2021, we will be introducing a program to further our efforts in building anti racist culture. Our board executive members have been developing the plan, led by Bilal, and with counsel from Knox Cameron. We’ll need the support of our exceptional fanbase to make these efforts meaningful.

Looking back to the pitch, this year was to mark the first season for our men’s team in USL League 2. This was a move that would have brought even more intense competition on the field. The roster that Eric Rudland was bringing in had my mouth watering and my mind thinking about championships. Though none of that was to be in 2020, I have the utmost confidence in what we’ll accomplish when we are back on the field. Our conference has added some new members since last offseason, and it looks like travel will be very manageable for away games for team and fans alike. 

For the women’s team, we welcomed Boyzzz Khumalo as the new head coach. Of course Boyzzz has been here as a member of Eric’s staff since 2016, but I was excited to see what his special brand of energy would have brought to an exciting roster ready to take the next step. The UWS has continued to grow in our area, adding to our list of rivals within easy travel distance. I look forward to watching our women play again soon.

While our club did not take the field this year, many other leagues played out their seasons. This meant that many Mighty Oak alumni were on the pitch, and were often available to see on TV or via livestream. Stanley Okumu, playing for IF Elfsborg in the Swedish Allsvenskan first division, has continued to gather accolades. Stanley’s future, as we could see in his 2018 season with our club, is very, very bright. Many other fan favorites, like Jake Rufe (Birmingham Legion), “Super” Dario Suarez (FC Tulsa), Azaad “AZ” Liadi (FC Tucson in 2020, South Georgia Tormenta in 2021), Mike Novotny (Hartford Athletic), “Captain” Jack Cawley (Wealdstone FC), and Hector Morales (Miami FC), have had big seasons in the higher divisions of soccer here and abroad. That list is nowhere near exhaustive, and every year gets larger as more talent, discovered and nurtured by our excellent coaching staff, comes in. 

I want to send a special thank you to the Main Street Hooligans. Always more than just a group of passionate fans, we have entrusted their counsel for many of our efforts. Their awareness and intense commitment to our club did not wane in a season without soccer. In fact, they’ve been deeply involved and provided unbelievable support in this complicated year. I couldn’t ask for a better group of people to be the core of the AFCAA Family.

Despite the difficulties of this year, the bright spots are there to be found. While we missed cheering on our women and men, we will come out of this a stronger club, ready to hit the ground running on and off the pitch. I absolutely cannot wait to roam the stands and see you, our fans, friends, and family, on a sunny spring game day, cheering “Come On You Mighty Oak!”

Generous Donation from Zimmerman Family Made to Community Kicks

Community Kicks has been continually buoyed through this difficult year by the generosity of the community that it is so grateful to serve. The spirit of the holiday season is strong within the AFCAA Family, as well, as the program has received an incredibly generous donation of $2,500. The donor, Erik Zimmerman, is a long-time supporter of AFC Ann Arbor and is a regular in the supporters’ section as a Main Street Hooligan. 

The relationship that Zimmerman has with the club and the community is deep. His love of sports started at a young age as he noted how he was a fan of football, baseball, and soccer all throughout his youth. In 2014, though, that sports fandom was about to hit a bit closer to home. “I remember seeing local news articles about a group that was trying to start a soccer team in Ann Arbor,” he stated, “And from then on I was very interested in following the team.”

Almost immediately, Zimmerman became easily recognizable as a superfan. “During the first few seasons, I went to every home match unless I was out of town and quickly developed a love for the team,” he would say. Zimmerman’s attachment to the side even ran deeper than just the club, but also with the staff: “I was friends with Coach Rudland for a few years before he joined AFC Ann Arbor, so I was excited to see how the club would progress under his leadership.”

Indeed, Rudland and Zimmerman had known each other through a number of years, initially meeting by attending the same church. “Erik is a sports fanatic and we have been fortunate to have his support over the past 5 seasons,” Rudland would say. “Both he and his wife are very generous and their gift to Community Kicks is nothing short of amazing.”

Zimmerman’s desire to help stems partially due to the year that has been. “My wife Bethann and I had been discussing ways that we could do more to try to safely help others during the pandemic, preferably through groups or activities that our family could continue to be connected with in future years as well,” he would say. “Supporting Community Kicks was one of the first things that came to mind.”

Knowing what he knew about AFC Ann Arbor as well as the people behind it, Community Kicks was a natural choice to support. He stated, “Over the past few years, I’ve gotten to know AFCAA Chair Bilal Saeed well and see his passion, shared by AFC, for making the community a better place.” He would learn more about Community Kicks and he noted that it seemed like “a perfect fit” in regard to his family and supporting them with a donation.

When asked about what it is about AFCAA that Zimmerman appreciates so much, he said, “There is so much about being an AFC fan that I really enjoy and admire that it is difficult to focus on only a few things.” However, Zimmerman noted three key things about being a supporter that stand out. First, he noted the gameday experience, specifically the style of play, as he said, “The roster is always loaded with talent, including countless current and future professionals, and the team plays an exciting and well-coached brand of soccer.”

Zimmerman also noted the family-style feel of the club and its supporters. “MSH and other fans of the team become lifelong fans of each player as he or she pursues their dream of playing pro soccer (or whatever other life goals they hope to achieve after their time at AFC), and it seems like the players have that same connection with AFC as well,” he said. He would also add, “The team owners and players often talk about AFC being like a family, and fans are welcomed as part of that family as well.” 

Finally, Zimmerman said that the DNA of the club is excellent. Noting how soccer is just one part of the club, he said, “The owners, and club itself, care deeply about the community and prioritize making a positive impact off the field, through programs and other activities such as Community Kicks.”

In times like these, with no on-field season, this has never been truer as time-after-time fans continue to support the club and causes around the club in so many ways. Earlier this summer, after announcing no competition for the entire year, the club shifted focus on expanding its reach and have helped distribute over 30,000 “Learn Soccer” lunch bags around the state.

Supporters and people like Erik Zimmerman are essential to the club. Whether it’s him serving as a snare-drummer as a supporter on away days, crafting spreadsheets to calculate the club’s playoff match-up likelihoods, or through incredible donations like his recent one to Community Kicks, what Community Kicks does would not be possible without the support of the community. We are extremely grateful for Erik and the Zimmerman Family’s donation, and we extend a massive thank you for their continued support and their donation.

Henry Ramirez Pursues Professional Opportunity with KC Comets

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.

CSS Building Anti-Racist Soccer Clubs Panel Recap

By Ryan Makuch

Just a couple of weeks ago, AFC Ann Arbor served as title sponsor of the Collegiate Soccer Society of Michigan’s Future of U.S. Soccer Conference and had a presence on the extremely important Anti-Racist Soccer Clubs panel. Club Chair Bilal Saeed was on the panel representing the club and he joined USLBPA co-founder and active USL Championship player Brandon Miller, academic scholars Anthony Weems and Krista Oshiro, and, moderator of the panel, journalist Fletcher Sharpe.

The panel spent an hour discussing how to implement anti-racist practices within soccer clubs through all aspects of the organization. The panel’s diversity in expertise allowed for a significant range of topics to be discussed.

Saeed noted how this is not something just for involving more Black players into the world of soccer, but it’s also on the entire organization, and it’s on the organization to impact their community. He said, “If the Black and Brown players feel underrepresented, how do you think the communities feel?” Saeed also focused on the AFCAA community, noting how both the cities of Ann Arbor and Ypsilanti, both right in the backyard of local supporters (if not their hometowns) are cities that have issues along the lines of segregation and divisions of neighborhoods by racial groups. He finished by crediting the Main Street Hooligans with helping push forward the conversation, and also highlighted how it needs to be not just non-white people furthering the diversity discussing, but also on white supporters, players, and organization members to stand against racism.

Miller discussed how the BPA is attempting to shift the balance of power in all aspects of the league and in soccer clubs. He noted how many Black players, coaches, or others involved in the soccer world may want to be head coaches or in the front office, but do not see anyone like them. Miller also spoke on how the BPA has held discussions with the likes of real estate agents and bank executives to help players recognize the options that they have to further their lives beyond the scope of soccer. He would discuss this further in our conversation with him after the panel, saying, “I enjoy learning as much as I can off the field so that I’m prepared for the inevitable transition once my career ends. It took me 5-6 years into my career to start thinking like that so I hope I can reach as many young players as possible and shift their mindset earlier in their careers.”

Miller, co-founder of the USLBPA alongside teammate Hugh Roberts, also tackled the question of how to engage with people, saying that in his experiences, showing real emotion and real feelings about issues is the best way for people to comprehend messages. In AFC Ann Arbor’s conversation post-panel discussion, he elaborated on this final point. Miller stated, “Sugar coating things won’t get us to the roots of a lot of these issues and if we don’t attack the roots then we won’t be able to effectively attack the problems.” He would also add, “Being open and honest in these conversations is the best way to convey just how impactful a lot of these issues are and hopefully we can have a number of breakthroughs during a lot of these conversations.”

Oshiro posed an important question, which is why is soccer such an important platform for firmly standing against racism? She noted that soccer clubs have, both historically and currently, served as deeply ingrained institutions within their communities. “It’s more than just a sport, it’s a relationship,” she aptly noted, emphasizing that morals and values embedded within the club can then become adopted by and embedded into their communities. Oshiro also discussed the idea of the “great sports myth”, which is an idea that sport is totally holistic and good, with no inherent faults or flaws. She noted that while we may not be able to change everyone’s mind, but this is a way to start in on doing the work that can plant the thought in their head.

Weems led with noting how racism is so deeply ingrained in American society that it is not enough to be not racist, but we must be anti-racist. He noted how clubs should, in order to establish anti-racist practices, “think outside the dominant way of doing things”, which is a necessary transformative process as both an organization and on an individual level. There needs to be an intentionality when thinking of these practices, and he also highlighted a paper written by Dr. Kwame Agyemang and Mackenzie Rector that noted four key points: getting involved in communities with non-white individuals and allowing white people to get into the community to better understand and serve it, a need to forget the business taste of diversity, not relying on free labor from people of color to lead diversity charges, and embedding diversity into the core of the organization.

AFCAA spoke to Agyemang after the panel on some of the topics brought up and discussed. One of the topics discussed was representation in positions of power in leagues that profit off of Black labor. “I think it’s especially important to have Black and non-White leaders to identify with the talent that is the driving force behind the revenue,” Agyemang said, expanding on why Black leadership is so important. He would continue, saying, “Too often, White men are devising the strategies, policies and rules, to the detriment of Black athletes, much of which is due to a lack of the same life experiences and culture, among other factors. This disconnect, then leads, to inherently racist policies that disparately impact Black athletes.”

Agyemang also noted ways for consumers to hold sports organizations responsible, saying, “As consumers, we can begin by examining the boards and senior leadership teams of organizations. We can demand that they diversify beyond the typical membership of White men.” He would also add, “More importantly, we can hold them accountable with our dollars. In today’s economy, where consumers are more socially conscious with their dollars, it’ll behoove organizations to tear down their systems of White supremacy and rebuild in a way that is inclusive of their Black and non-White stakeholders.”

Thanks in large part to work done by the Sporting Justice Collective (with which Weems and Oshiro are involved in) and the USLBPA (with which Miller is involved in), AFC Ann Arbor are proud to stand with these organizations as they fight for equality, diversity, and better service for their communities, and we are proud to have had a presence in this conference and on this panel.

Tatiana Mason on 2020 and What's to Come

By Ryan Makuch

Hometown heroes are always warmly regarded, and perhaps none were more immediately well-received by all in the AFCAA Family than Tatiana Mason. A graduate of Ann Arbor Skyline, Mason made her stamp on the team dominating the wing throughout the entire season and earning the player of the year nod from the Main Street Hooligans. After a stellar sophomore season with Ball State in the wake of that first summer, Mason was set to rejoin The Mighty Oak for 2020. Of course, the world had other plans.

Mason echoed the thoughts of AFCAA fans everywhere, saying, “The cancellation of the summer season was a difficult one to deal with.” She emphasized the training environment of the club and how it provided for a great learning experience, saying, “Having the opportunity to train with a talented group of women and play 90-minute games before leaving for college is such a blessing.” She would also add, “Not only does it get you in shape, but it forces you to stay sharp technically and tactically.”

Despite that, Mason still made sure to take time and continue improving over the summer while remaining safe. “Fortunately for me,” she said, “I was able to get work in with Next Level Training. The online zoom training and workouts they provided really were a lifesaver. But other than that, I was at my old high school field (Ann Arbor Skyline) almost every day practicing my finishing or hopping in on some pickup games.”

During this quarantine time, shooting and finishing was something that Mason wanted to improve and refine. “I didn't have the season I wanted sophomore year in terms of scoring goals and creating chances, so I turned my concentration to exactly that,” she would say. She also drew inspiration from a soccer icon in her training: “It's funny, I once heard an interview with Cristiano Ronaldo where he said he took 100 shots after every practice, so I tried to model my training after that. 3-4 times a week I would go to the pitch and rep 100 or so shots or some type of finishing.”

Looking ahead to her collegiate season in the spring, Mason is gearing up for what will be her junior season with the Cardinals of Ball State. Despite the late start to the season, she already seems in midseason form as she scored a pair of goals in Ball State’s intrasquad scrimmage. Mason has been looking forward to the return to the pitch, saying, “It's been great to get back on the field!”

Over the course of her first two seasons, Mason made a huge impact with eight goals and ten assists over those two years, and earning a MAC Freshman of the Year award in her first season. Her Ball State teams racked up a combined 29 wins over those two seasons, and Mason is looking for more this year. “My expectations are sky high for the upcoming season!” she would say. “Not only do we have a great core group of returners, but we also have 10 freshmen who are ready to make an impact.”

Mason’s hopes are to get back to the MAC Championship Final as her Cardinals did in 2018. “Of course, we have to take it one game at a time,” she would say before adding, “but this is the most optimistic I've been with the talent on our team.” Already starring at a high level, that level of performance has always helped boost Mason into a larger leadership role for the team. “I am lucky to be surrounded by such a strong group of women to learn from,” she would say. Ahead of this season, Mason was voted as a co-captain, which she called a huge honor to receive from her teammates. The pushback to the spring season was a disappointment, but in returning to the pitch, Mason is looking forward to it all, saying, “But now that we are back, that disappointment has turned into excitement for the upcoming season.”

Of course, some things are bigger than soccer. With the social climate undergoing long-needed first steps to reform, Mason stood with the movements as an ally. “The Black Lives Matter movement was such an inspiration to witness and be a part of. And still is quite frankly.” She would also add on her summer experience following and being involved, “Not only were we all stuck at home dealing with the pandemic, but we were fighting such an important fight for equality.”

Mason echoes the continued need for progress, saying, “Although we've made steps towards reparation, we are nowhere near where we need to be. It's absolutely infuriating how much our society is founded on racism and I cannot stress enough how much it needs to change.” She also acknowledges the different lived experiences that she has with those directly affected by racism, saying, “I can't possibly understand what it is like to be a Black individual in America,” she would say, “but I know that it is my responsibility as a human to do whatever I can to stand with and support the Black community.”

 Throughout a summer of a pandemic, pushes for progress, and a canceled season, Mason still continues to represent the AFCAA Family well with her willingness to push for what’s right and her leadership attributes.

AFC Ann Arbor Serves as Title Sponsor for CSS Conference

AFC Ann Arbor are pleased to announce their role as the title sponsor of the 2020 Michigan Collegiate Soccer Society ‘The Future of U.S. Soccer’ Conference. In addition to serving as title sponsor, the club will also be involved in multiple panels, including co-owner Mike Lorenc joining the Business of the Beautiful Game panel, and Building Anti-Racist Soccer Clubs, featuring club Chair, Bilal Saeed. The virtual conference is a one-day day-long event on November 14th, and will feature speakers such as Alexi Lalas, Grant Wahl, Maurice Edu and Becky Sauerbrunn, among many others. The event is free to attend but you must reserve your spot in advance by registering online in advance. 

Avi Rajendra-Nicolucci, Co-President of the Collegiate Soccer Society, said, “The Collegiate Soccer Society at Michigan is proud to be sponsored by our local club, AFC Ann Arbor, for The Future of U.S. Soccer Conference. The virtual conference will be a unique way for anyone interested in soccer to connect with industry leaders.”

Alongside CSS, AFCAA have helped coordinate the panel on Building Anti-Racist Soccer Clubs. Rajendra-Nicolucci said on the panel, “This panel will provide actionable steps to eradicating racism from the beautiful game, an initiative that we are strongly committed to as an organization.” The panel will be hosted by acclaimed soccer journalist Fletcher Sharpe and will feature Saeed along with Brandon Miller, currently a goalkeeper with the USL Championship’s Charlotte Independence and a member of the Executive Committee of the USL Black Players Alliance. Dr. Kristi Oshiro, Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Belmont University and former softball player at East Carolina University, along with Dr. Anthony Weems, Assistant Professor of Sport Management at Western Carolina University will both be joining the panels as representatives from The Sporting Justice Collective, a cooperative platform designed to bring together scholars, athletes, and activists from around the world, while creating equitable change through sport with an emphasis on anti-racist and anti-colonial practices.

On his involvement, Miller, a nine-year pro in the USL that along with his on-the-field work also is involved with several non-profit organizations in Charlotte as well as his own business, says, “I'm really looking forward to discussing this topic with everyone on the panel. Developing a model to build anti-racist soccer clubs is important because it will open doors for a large group of talented people who want to be involved in sports.” He would also add, “It's not enough for clubs to put out statements and say they are against racism. It has to be at the core of their beliefs and their development as a club.”

The event will start on November 14th at 9 AM and is set to end at 5 PM. The panel on Building Anti-Racist Soccer Clubs will run from 2:30-3:30 PM. We look forward to a day full of interesting conversation and important topics being discussed and hope you will be able to join us.

James Vaughan Gears Up for FA Cup Challenge

By Ryan Makuch

After his successful stint playing collegiate, semi-professionally, and then professionally in the state of Michigan, James Vaughan has returned to England to apply his craft in the English football pyramid. And this weekend, he’ll be appearing in the top cup competition in all of England as his Eastbourne Borough get set to play in the First Round Proper of the FA Cup against EFL League One side Blackpool. An appearance in the match for Vaughan will make him the third ever AFCAA player to make an appearance in the prestigious competition, joining Jack Cawley (Heybridge Swifts) and Gary Ogilvie (Concord Rangers).

The experience has been something new, but also something very exciting. AFCAA fans will know Vaughan as a central midfielder, but back in England, he’s stationed at right back. On the new position, Vaughan said, “It was very alien to me, but I’ve been gradually understanding my new role and how I can implement my strengths into the role to help the team.” Similar to adjusting to the new position, returning to England after playing in the U.S. has also been a new experience. “Playing back in England is always nice, it definitely took some adjusting to, but I’ve been learning and trying to improve each and every game.”

In talking about differences between England and the U.S., Vaughan echoed some comments that the likes of Jack Cawley have given us in recent conversations, including the 2018 team reunion Zoom call, “I think the biggest adjustment is that English football is a lot more direct than playing in the US. Players are very technical here but teams understand that sometimes you need to play ugly in order to win the game.” Vaughan noted that sometimes the matches that went about this way may not always be the prettiest to watch, but it is often effective.

Entering the weekend of November 7th, Eastbourne Borough are currently sitting 6th in the National League South table, which is the sixth-tier of English soccer. Teams that finish 2nd-7th get spots in the playoffs to get promoted while first place gets automatically promoted. “I think anyone’s goal is to get promoted, but all we can do right now is just to prepare for the next game in the calendar and keep working hard to improve each week,” Vaughan said. Promotion is notoriously difficult in the lower stages of the English pyramid, especially as 22 teams in the National League South fight for just two promotion spots. Vaughan is pleased with his side’s start to the season as he says, “The season has got off to a great but hectic start, and with games coming thick and fast it’s hard to keep up, but the team is doing really well.”

In addition to the positive league start, The Sports also have had to go through three rounds of FA Cup qualifying, including a 3-3 thriller that saw them advance on spot kicks against a fellow National League South side, Dorking Wanderers. They are now in the First Round Proper for the first time since the 2016-17 season, and for just the fifth time in club history.

Vaughan and Eastbourne Borough have a massive task ahead of them with Blackpool. The former English Premier League side have seen a recent rough patch drop them to the third tier, but they are manned by Neil Critchley, a man who has not only managed a match in the FA Cup before, but did so with Liverpool FC, reigning English Premier League Champions, when the side needed a stand-in manager over a midseason break period. He is joined by players on loan from Premier League sides Liverpool, Arsenal, West Ham, as well as former Tottenham youth and Chicago Fire attacker Grant Ward.

Despite the exciting opposition, the messaging from Vaughan is clear, “At the end of the day it’s another game, we just have to compete in every minute!” He would also add, “It’s obviously going to be a great experience for myself and the rest of the team. The FA Cup is known for its upsets, so let’s hope we can be that team.”

The FA Cup, as Vaughan notes, is known for it’s “magic” as it’s an excellent opportunity for teams from lower in the football pyramid to have a chance to slay a giant. Eastbourne will get the chance to do so on live TV in England on BT Sport, and in the USA on ESPN+, at 9:30 AM EST on Sunday, November 8th. “It’s a great privilege to be in the FA cup, every kid in England wants to be a part of it one day and Sunday is my opportunity which is incredible,” said Vaughan. For Vaughan, this is another massive step forward in what is already a promising career.

AFC Ann Arbor 2018 Season Rewind

By Ryan Makuch

As we gear up to host a live Zoom call featuring stars from the 2018 AFC Ann Arbor team, hosted by head coach Eric Rudland, there is no better time to reminisce about the season that was than now. We’re taking you through month-by-month so that you can remember all the brilliant moments from perhaps The Mighty Oak’s greatest side.

May:

5/5: @Milwaukee Torrent – 4-0, W

5/9: vs. Ocean City Nor’Easters – 0-3, L (USOC)

5/13: vs. Detroit City FC – 1-0, W

5/18: @Oakland County FC – 2-0, W (Michigan Milk Cup Quarter-finals, First Leg)

5/20: @FC Indiana – 6-0, W

5/25: @FC Kalamazoo – 0-0, D

5/28: vs. Oakland County FC – 2-1, W (Michigan Milk Cup Quarter-finals, Second Leg)

Following a successful preseason, the campaign started off with the traditional early-season away match against Milwaukee Torrent. It took 55 minutes for the first goal of what would become a free-scoring campaign, but once Yuri Farkas opened the flood gates, The Mighty Oak began to run roughshod, culminating in a 4-0 win in what was always a tricky opening fixture. AFCAA were not as fortunate in their U.S. Open Cup First Round match as the side hit the woodwork multiple times, forced some vital saves, but Ocean City Nor’Easters were just too much, winning 3-0 in Ypsilanti.

The Mighty Oak would not dwell on the negatives as they squared off with Detroit City FC on Mother’s Day in Ann Arbor. After a tension-packed initial 90 minutes, it took a deadball delivery from Jake Rosen that was met by Moco Watson in stoppage time to give AFCAA all three points. This match is one of the first of a serious of truly memorable moments from this season and inspired incredible scenes upon the final whistle as it seemed clear that something was positive was brewing in Ann Arbor.

The remainder of the month also saw the opening round of the Michigan Milk Cup, as The Mighty Oak toppled Oakland County FC 2-0 away from home, then 2-1 at Ann Arbor Skyline to clinch a bid to the semi-finals. Sandwiched between those two matches were a pair of games difficult for their own reasons. First was the away trip to FC Indiana. Always a tough drive to Lafayette, Yuri Farkas was up for the challenge as he notched four goals, a club-high that still stands today, in a 6-0 rout. After that, The Mighty Oak dropped their first points of the season in a 0-0 away match against FC Kalamazoo, a fixture that has consistently caused troubles for some of the best sides in AFCAA history, but a draw that The Mighty Oak would have the chance to redeem themselves from.

June:

6/1: vs. Grand Rapids FC – 2-0, W

6/3: @FC Columbus – 2-1, W

6/8: vs. Milwaukee Torrent – 1-1, D

6/10: @Detroit City FC – 1-0, W

6/15: vs. FC Kalamazoo – 4-0, W

6/22: @Grand Rapids FC – 0-2, L

6/26: @FC Kalamazoo – 1-0, W (Michigan Milk Cup Semi-finals)

6/29: vs. FC Columbus – 1-0, W

As the calendar turned to June, the challenges did not stop as AFCAA played four NPSL matches in ten days. The first of which was a 2-0 victory at home against Grand Rapids FC, capped by a brilliant two goals in five minutes from Jordan Montoya and Michael Shaikly. The Mighty Oak would then concede for the first time in the NPSL season away from home against FC Columbus, but the side would prove their resiliency as a game winner from Marc Ybarra in the 62nd minute was more than enough to win the day. The next match would see Milwaukee gain a measure of revenge in Ann Arbor as a late goal from Torrent cancelled out a brilliant Serge Gamwanya free kick, however The Mighty Oak would remain in first place in the division ahead of their biggest test yet.

The away trip to Detroit City FC is always anticipated, but with the two clubs sitting one and two atop the table, and the division’s pendulum hanging in the air, there was something extra in this match. This match would be known for a pair of things: first and foremost, the brilliant 1-0 victory spurred on by a total team effort and a Chris Odhiambo goal in the 54th minute. The second is the true breakout of Stanley Okumu in defense as he made the jump from Ann Arbor’s best kept secret, to continuing his brilliant performances on the brightest stage that the NPSL Great Lakes Division had to offer. The match would be Okumu’s final regular season match in the AFCAA starting eleven as he would ultimately go on trial with a professional side, however this would not be the last chapter for the Kenyan’s Ann Arbor career.

The good times continued to roll as AFCAA notched four goals in 13 minutes at the end of the first half to down FC Kalamazoo in Ann Arbor, gaining some measure of revenge for their earlier goalless draw. The next week, it was Grand Rapids’ turn to exact revenge, as they topped AFCAA 2-0 at Houseman Field, however with destiny still in their hands for earning another NPSL Great Lakes crown, they turned their attention to another away trip to Kalamazoo in the Michigan Milk Cup semi-finals. With time winding down, it seemed that another goalless draw in Kalamazoo and an extra time period that AFCAA’s legs did not need down the stretch was in the cards. But it was Brandon Katona to the rescue as the Michigan native scored a goal in second half stoppage time to win the match and send AFCAA back home happy. With that settled, it was time for The Mighty Oak to make another joyous memory.

FC Columbus entered Ann Arbor on June 29th looking to play spoiler. AFCAA, with two matches left, would clinch the division with a victory over the expansion side who were looking to make a huge statement and aid their late playoff push. AFCAA were given a huge breakthrough in the ninth minute as Columbus saw a man sent off. Columbus were able to apply pressure on The Mighty Oak, though, and the first half ended with the scoreline still level at zeroes. In the 60th minute, Jack Cawley would go down hard and get subbed off for Moco Watson. The magic man in defense would come up huge again in the 97th minute as Alec Lasinski whipped in a corner and Watson headed home the game-winning, division-clinching, goal with the last touch of the game. The Mighty Oak had done what had never been done before – win the NPSL Great Lakes Division in two straight seasons. The fans and the squad erupted in celebrations that made any other walk-off winners pale in comparison as AFCAA would wrap up the division a match early.

July:

7/4: vs. Lansing United – 2-3, L (Michigan Milk Cup Final)

7/7: vs. FC Indiana – 9-0, W

7/20: vs. Cleveland SC – 1-0, W (NPSL Midwest Regional Semi-final)

7/21: vs. Duluth FC – 3-3, L (PKs) (NPSL Midwest Regional Final)

On the Fourth of July, The Mighty Oak faced one of their toughest challenges of that season, as they squared off with Lansing United of the then-PDL, now-USL League Two. In a bizarre match that saw Lansing go down to nine men, three penalties given in three minutes, and ultimately saw AFCAA lose 3-2 in a match that was an ultimate thrill ride for neutrals. To boost spirits, AFCAA put FC Indiana away 9-0 in the final match of the NPSL regular season, a match that sits in AFCAA record books as the largest victory in club history and featured seven men on the scoresheet. The win clinched a bye for AFCAA and the number two seed in the six-team Midwest Regional, which would be hosted at Huron High School in Ann Arbor.

The Midwest Regional Semi-Finals were held on July 20th and AFCAA squared off with a tough Cleveland SC team that, despite a name change, held many of the same players from the 2016 AFC Cleveland side that won the NPSL National Postseason. The high-powered Cleveland attack would see a roadblock in their way, the return of Stanley Okumu for the 2018 NPSL Postseason. The Mighty Oak would find their winner in the second half through a brilliant bit of build-up play that was finished by Serge Gamwanya but helped along by Sercan Cihan and Yuri Farkas. The win pushed The Mighty Oak on to the Midwest Final the next day against Duluth FC.

In one of the NPSL instant classic matches, AFCAA saw their season come to an end in penalties against Duluth after another incredible match full of goals. The Mighty Oak were resilient, coming back from 2-0 and 3-1 down to get a goal back, then knot the match at three a piece thanks to AZ Liadi’s finish in the final minute of regular time. This was a match that saw AFCAA hit the post, get denied by some strong saves, and concede an unlucky goal or two, before losing in the coin flip that is penalty kicks. However, what can be taken away from the season even despite the loss to finish it is a summer’s worth of memories and some of the greatest players and moments in club history.

Historic Oaks:

The 2018 season was one not just for the memory bank, but also for the records books. The season saw AFC Ann Arbor finish with the best defense in the entire league, with just four goals conceded in their 12 regular season games (0.33 GAA)—the goals allowed and GAA both being AFCAA records. The defense also tallied nine clean sheets, another club-high and racked up a 488-minute scoreless streak in NPSL play from the start of the season to the FC Columbus match. These defensive accolades were helmed, of course, by the NPSL TopDrawerSoccer Player of the Year, Stanley Okumu, the first ever leaguewide player of the year for the club.

The defense was not the only area of the team breaking records. With an average of 2.5833 goals per game and 15 different scorers, the fire-powered offense saw new heights that have yet to be topped. Farkas, whose four goals at FC Indiana are a club-high in one game, led the way with six goals league goals in the regular season despite missing significant time due to the CONIFA World Cup with Matt Braem and Hector Morales. Jordan Montoya, Michael Shaikly, and AZ Liadi were both not too far behind with five, four, and four goals in the league, respectively. Liadi would also be the only man to play in all 14 league matches that season and he would chip in three assists.

The Mighty Oak have been fortunate to have a team in every season that has touched the hearts of the AFCAA faithful. However, when it comes to the 2018 team, many have a special spot reserved just for that team.

AFCAA Well Represented in USL Championship Playoffs

By Ryan Makuch

The USL Championship Playoffs are set to start on Saturday after an abridged season due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and the AFCAA Family is well-represented throughout the bracket in both leagues. Of the 16 teams in the postseason, a quarter of them have AFC Ann Arbor representation on them, with plenty of players having come up clutch over the course of the season. We compiled this guide to break down what teams to watch for, who is on them, and when and where you can check out the matches and support some of AFCAA’s professional-caliber alumni. 

Western Conference

Dario Suarez – FC Tulsa:

A member of the 2016 and 2017 AFCAA teams, Dario is undoubtedly a club legend here, and his play in Tulsa has firmly cemented his spot as one of the most dangerous attacking threats in the entire USLC. With eight goals in his 15 matches played, Dario is tied for 10th in the entire USLC in goals scored, and leads FC Tulsa. Dario has made his mark as a left-wing attacker for Tulsa and has undoubtedly helped Tulsa along to the heights that they currently are seeing. His spurt of six goals in four games from 9/2 to 9/12 saw him score all six goals for Tulsa in that four-match span, and his work in attack has helped push them to the seventh seed in the West. He has proven multiple times over the course of the season that he is one of the most dangerous attackers in the league, which is something AFCAA fans may not be surprised to know. Tulsa will travel to El Paso to take on El Paso Locomotive FC on October 10th at 9:30 PM EST, live on ESPN+.

Eastern Conference

Jake Rufe – Birmingham Legion FC:

Rufe, a member of the 2016, 2017, and 2019 iterations of The Mighty Oak, has been able to carve out a key role for himself with his hometown club. The Alabama native impressed heavily here in Ann Arbor, but was also able to help translate a stint with Stumptown Athletic in NISA into a spot with Birmingham Legion this season. Rufe has made 11 appearances, including six starts, for the USLC side showing off his versatility by starting at right back, center back, and subbing on in the midfield where AFCAA fans may be more familiar with his prowess. Rufe’s passing ability has been on full display as he currently sits at an 80.4% passing accuracy. His ability to play multiple positions and sub on and do a job has made him a key piece of Birmingham’s side and has helped them enter the postseason as the seventh seed in the East. Birmingham squares off with Tampa Bay Rowdies at 7:30 PM EST on October 10th on ESPN+.

Mike Novotny – Hartford Athletic FC:

A member of the 2018 AFCAA side, Novotny is one of the club’s finest goalkeeper success stories. After translating an outstanding first portion of the season in Ann Arbor to a successful stint in Sweden’s third division, Novotny joined Hartford for their first year of activity in 2019. Hartford made an impressive turnaround this season, from 17th in the East last season to second, and Novotny had a key part to play late in the season. With Hartford up 1-0 in the 73rd minute, first-choice goalkeeper Parfait Mandanda (on loan from Belgian First Division side Charleroi) saw red, meaning it was up to Novotny to keep the clean sheet and the win. He made a key save and controlled the game brilliantly, and the scoreline would remain 1-0. Getting the start in the next match, Novotny made a huge penalty save in the 79th minute in Philadelphia Union II that kept the game knotted up at 2-2 and would allow Hartford to get a 90th minute winner. Novotny’s ability to step in showcases the professionalism that everyone in Ann Arbor knew he had already. Hartford host Saint Louis FC on October 10th at 7 PM EST.

Ian McGrane – Tampa Bay Rowdies:

A key member of the 2019 AFCAA team, Ian McGrane has had the opportunity to join one of the most consistent organizations in the USLC. With Eric Rudland serving as chief scout for Tampa Bay Rowdies as well, there is plenty of reason to support Tampa Bay in the postseason, even if that first round match with Birmingham features clashing teammates at not one, but two stops. McGrane also was able to translate some excellent play with Stumptown Athletic, along with his incredible season in Ann Arbor that saw him shortlisted for one NPSL Player of the Year honor, to a spot in Tampa. McGrane serves as a deputy to University of Michigan graduate Evan Louro and is in a great position to learn and succeed.

No matter who you’re rooting for in the USL Championship postseason, it is clear that if you want to support members of the AFCAA Family, you’ll have plenty of opportunities to do so.

2018 Men's Team Virtual Reunion Set for October 23rd

Association Football Club Ann Arbor will host a reunion of the 2018 Men’s team that secured our second consecutive Great Lakes title. The event will be streamed live on YouTube on Friday, October 23rd at 7PM. 

Coach Rudland will be hosting the Zoom call with an opportunity for our members to submit questions to players and staff. Over the next couple of weeks, we’ll begin announcing players who will be attending the reunion. Additionally, assistant coach Boyzzz Khumalo and club Chair, Bilal Saeed will also be joining in on the call. 

Members who want to submit a question in advance can do so via email, Twitter, Facebook or Instagram. Just message AFC Ann Arbor with your question and there’s a chance your question will be asked. 

“What a season 2018 was. It’s going to be fun getting the group back together to reminisce & hear what our former players are now up to,” said Sporting Director and men’s Head Coach, Eric Rudland. 

The 2018 team set more club records than any other year and have since gone on to have more professional players come from this season than any other. Beginning the season with five consecutive clean sheets, a May that saw zero goals allowed and eleven goals for which helped end the regular season with only one loss and one draw for the entire campaign. 

Stay tuned to afcannarbor.com for more information on the event and content reliving the 2018 men’s season.