Men Run Roughshod in Oakland County, Women Draw with Indy Eleven

By Jinseong Kim

AFC Ann Arbor had an undefeated matchday on a warm, humid Saturday, this Memorial Day weekend. AFC Ann Arbor triumphed over Oakland County FC in the same manner they did in the season opener, as the men grabbed a thrilling 5-0 victory at Royal Oak. The women fought hard against the USL W League Power Ranking #1 Indy Eleven FC and earned a valuable point at home with a 2-2 draw. 

Looking first at the men’s game, which kicked off a half-hour ahead of the women, AFCAA men had a quick opening similar to the Lansing City Football away game. Junior Nare possessed the ball on the sideline then targeted Luke Benford in the center. Benford’s initial shot was saved but Yushi Nagao, waiting at the arc, finished it well with a nice strike in the 7th minute. 

The lead was extended to two in the 43rd minute, and it was Junior Nare who fought hard all match on the left flank, and contributed to the first goal’s build-up. Curt Calov provided a good through to Nare running towards the center of the box, and the South African curled the shot after his first touch, aiming the far right corner. 

Not much action came in during most of the second half, but the last ten minutes were written with a totally different pen. The ‘goal fest’ for AFCAA was signaled with David Garcia’s tremendous free kick from about 25 yards out, struck hard into the bottom left corner in the 81st minute. Five minutes later, Curt Calov delivered another amazing through ball to Shion Soga, the 60th minute substitute, who then forcefully finished his attempt.

Goal number five at the stoppage time put an icing on the cake in this deja vu match. It was Tomas Casas, who also scored in the season opener, receiving Shion Soga’s free kick from the left side and finishing with a header. 

As the men’s game was more of a steady increase in thrills, women’s had more clear ups and downs throughout the day against the unbeaten Indy Eleven. 

The start couldn’t be greater for the Mighty Oak, with Luana Grabias netting an early goal even before the end of the first minute. The clock read 32 seconds when the Brazilian tapped Lina Berrah’s cutback from the left end. This made it the earliest goal in AFCAA history, both men and women, topping Matt ‘Frenchy’ Braem’s previous record from 2019 when he scored in the 2nd minute against Grand Rapids FC.

Not only did the women deal well against Indy Eleven’s pressure, but they were able to find the second goal in the 52nd minute. Angeline Kieh was brought down inside the box which resulted in the penalty kick. Tracy Akiror stepped forward to convert it and gave AFCAA an extended 2-0 lead.

However, Indy Eleven roared back, proving their quality and leveling the game with two goals in six minutes. Madison Williams was the first to break through the AFCAA defense as she headed a cross from the right side in at the 76th minute mark. Later, in the 82nd minute, Molly McLaughlin took a shot from long range, and found the back of the net. The quick equalizer from the visitors was the last notable action of the game. 

The men were able to bounce back from Tuesday’s painful defeat against KZFC and the upset from Friday’s Michigan Milk Cup game versus Inter Detroit. The job away at Royal Oak was done in the best possible way the team could’ve thought of. The women, meanwhile, proved themselves against the powerful Indy Eleven side, who their first three games in a row prior to this weekend, and were rated the top of the nation. 

AFC Ann Arbor are back in action on Wednesday, June 1 as the women’s team host long-time, in-state rival Detroit City FC, in the first ever women’s showdown between the two sides in USL W League action.

Michigan Milk Cup History Lesson

By Jinseong Kim

To those fans and supporters who warmly welcomed the return of the USL W and USL2 season earlier this month, hold on tight - it is not over yet, as another familiar competition is coming around the corner. On this upcoming Friday, May 27, AFC Ann Arbor hosts Inter Detroit for the first round of the men’s bracket of the Michigan Milk Cup.

Inter Detroit is a community soccer club based in the Metro Detroit area. Founded in 2017, the club has served as a community for minorities and youth in Southwest Detroit through soccer. Sharing the same values, mission, and attitudes towards the sport and community engagement, Inter Detroit and AFC Ann Arbor agreed to strengthen the partnership between the two parties in 2021. The partnership, made possible partially in part thanks to the former AFCAA Goalkeeper Tito Jimenez, consists of assisting in the sponsorship of athletes, community engagement activities, and exchanging ideas on diversity and equality. 

Michigan Milk Cup, sponsored by Milk Means More, is a Michigan-specific tournament for amateur and pre-professional teams based throughout Michigan, including Metro Detroit, Ann Arbor, Kalamazoo, Lansing, and Grand Rapids, among others. It was established in 2017 and later expanded to the women and youth division in 2019. 

The inaugural edition of the Michigan Milk Cup was slightly different from what the fans are now used to. It began not as a knock-out tournament, but calculated based on points earned from NPSL encounters between participating teams. The founding members were AFC Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids FC, Kalamazoo FC, Lansing United, and Michigan Stars, teams that all competed in the NPSL Great Lakes Conference back then. AFCAA lifted the inaugural trophy, confirming their crown with three games remaining. 

The 2018 edition is when the Milk Cup switched as a knock-out tournament and settled the base of how it became in following years. With a revised format and logo, Milk Cup welcomed Force FC, Oakland County FC, Livonia City FC, and Muskegon Risers in addition to four returning NPSL teams - AFC Ann Arbor, Grand Rapids FC, Kalamazoo FC, and Lansing United. The year 2018 is when the competition started to truly tie Southern Michigan semi-pro and amateur teams across various divisions. 

After the drawing process, AFCAA was paired up with then-UPSL side Oakland County FC. OCFC is a familiar name to all Ann Arbor supporters, but this was the official encounter between the two. In a two-legged first round matchup, AFCAA comfortably topped OCFC 4-1 in aggregate, 2-0 at Oakland and 2-1 at home. Some nostalgic names, like Kyle Breitmeyer, AZ Liadi, and Alec Lasinski gave The Mighty Oak a comfortable quarter-final win on a hot Memorial Day classic. 

A journey to Kalamazoo for the semifinals was full of drama. Not only that it was against the long-time rival Kalamazoo FC, but it was a trip to a place that the side would be held to a 0-0 draw at in the league. But, on this evening, a stoppage time screamer from Brandon Katona turned a stale 0-0 game into AFCAA’s favor. The KZFC away game wasn’t an easy task, especially as the hosts dominated the field and were awarded a spot kick in the mid-second half. But Nick Barry, one of two stand-out keepers on that 2018 side alongside Mike Novotny, proved himself in assertive fashion by denying the penalty. A dramatic ‘buzzer beater’ victory earned by a hard-fought team consisting of players eagerly wishing to earn more play time and earn a piece of silverware for their club proved why this tournament stands out in the history of the club. 

The finale of AFCAA’s dramatic run ended in 3-2 defeat to Lansing United in an eventful affair. The capital side grabbed an early 2-0 lead in the first half, but soon went down to ten men before the half. Ann Arbor tried to turn an outnumbering advantage to fruition by dominating the possession and testing the goalie several times. A late penalty was awarded as a result at the 87th minute mark, and Yuri Farkas comfortably converted Ann Arbor’s lifeline goal.

From the Mighty Oak’s spot kick, it was a steep roller coaster ride for AFC. To simply put in numbers, two goals from two more penalties (one from each side), and an additional red card shown to a Lansing player, all happened in the last three minutes. Nick Barry’s initial spot kick save on the eventual Lansing rebound winner and another pair of chances for The Mighty Oak in the waning moments of the match were some late-late-game, bittersweet, highlights. 

After an unfortunate fallback in the 2018 edition, AFCAA returned positively to the 2019 Michigan Milk Cup. The tournament itself an huge expansion in size from eight teams to twelve. As a result, AFCAA, as one of the semi-finalists last year, was given a direct bye to the quarterfinals, along with Grand Rapids FC, Kalamazoo FC, and the newcomer Flint City Bucks.

The quarter-finals opponent was the UPSL side BiH GR. Participating in the tournament for the first time, the Grand Rapids-based club beat Bafana United in the first round and advanced to the round of eight. The game took place on a cloudy afternoon on, but there was no rain on AFCAA’s parade, as the match ended in a comfortable 2-0 win with Andres Chalbaud and Will Eskay on the scoresheet. 

AFCAA hoped to keep the positive run through the final, but the Milk Cup adventure in 2019 would halt at the semi-finals. The Mighty Oak took the 2-1 lead in the first half thanks to goals from Henry Ramirez and Will Eskay, but allowed OCFC a comeback. An equalizer in the 60th minute and the 88th minute goal that put the visitors in lead, for good, but has hopefully ensured a 2022 men’s team eager to make amends for the heartbreak of years’ past. 

As mentioned, the Michigan Milk Cup in 2019 wasn’t just for the AFCAA men, as the women also participated in the inaugural women’s iteration of the tournament. With eight other Michigan-based sides, the AFCAA women not only just competed, but wrote an invaluable history that will cherish forever.

The very first match for the women against North Oakland was full of delight. The massive 6-1 scoreline currently stands as the biggest win in still-brief women’s side’s history–but this was only part of this memorable day. Emily Eitzman would stamp her name into the AFCAA recordbooks for setting the record of youngest goalscorer in the club’s five-year history, and she remains second on the list alongside 2022 teammate Chloe Ricketts (14 at the time of her goal). Despite the loss in the semis against Detroit Sun (eventually crowned as the champions), the first Milk Cup journey for the women was an exciting start to the club’s history in the tournament. 

Throughout its six years of history, Michigan Milk Cup has served as a platform, festival, and community event not only to fans in Ann Arbor, but clubs throughout the entirety of Michigan. As a founding member of the tournament, AFC Ann Arbor has been an integral part of the Michigan Milk Cup history, and has enjoyed plenty of memories that will forever remain in the club's legacy and mission as a community club. 

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!

Matchday Diary: Fast-Paced Week, and Only Getting Faster, for The Mighty Oak

By Ryan Makuch

It was a 1,000-day streak snapped when AFC Ann Arbor kicked a ball on May 7. Two full seasons of soccer were missed.

It sure feels like this iteration of The Mighty Oak has been trying to make up for the lost time.

There are decades where weeks happen and weeks where decades happen.

The 2022 season feels like the latter already. 

This is the Matchday Diary, where we talk about the games as they were, after they happened, to learn more about the game, our club, and our community. 

AFCAA hosted the women and men of Kalamazoo FC. One of those games was a little smoother than the other. Let’s dive straight in.

Sunday, May 22, Saline HS

The women kicked off shortly after 4 PM on Sunday, opening their home 2022 and USL W League home campaigns. But it wasn’t quite ‘home’ just yet. Around the 13th minute, once Main Street Hooligan Brian Marolf launched into his first ‘COYMO’ chant, then it began to feel more like home.

Sean Kerrigan (pointing) lets Curt Calov (right) know that someone is snapping some pics of them.

The men made themselves right at home almost immediately, too, but not on the pitch, but rather, in the crowd. Sean Kerrigan and Curt Calov were just two of the men’s players who jumped quickly into the MSH section to cheer on their women’s team counterparts. Jumping up and down, the men caught onto the chants quickly and cheered the women forward–a picture of the unity that AFCAA continues to emphasize within our club and community alike. 

The men certainly had plenty to cheer. Finally approaching full strength for the first time this season, several women stepped onto the pitch for the first time in AFCAA colors. Stefane Pereira made her first appearance in the net and, while she had just one save to make, she looked cool, confident, and stylish in the sweet new AFCAA goalkeeper’s kit.

Luana Grabias celebrated a big day with her AFCAA debut, and her brother’s marriage.

Pereira’s countrywoman Luana Grabias also immediately showed her quality on the wing in her first match. Playing 55 minutes, Grabias dazzled with her skills, showing off incredible individual defending just before AFCAA’s opening goal. A dogged defender and creative attacker, Grabias also created an excellent chance just before the end of the first half, while she herself hit the post with a shot of her own in the match.

Grabias also made her own fashion statement, celebrating the marriage of her brother with her undershirt for the match. 

The Mighty Oak took plenty of shots on target at the Kalamazoo frame, and even despite the 3-0 scoreline, it could have been much more. AFCAA hit the post on three separate occasions, and KZFC’s goalkeeper (Nerea Mora) had plenty to do all throughout the game as AFC fired 30 shots, with over half of them either on goal or striking the post. 

The most accurate of the women on target was AFCAA’s Woman of the Match, Lina Berrah, who bagged a brace to secure The Mighty Oak’s victory. 

The two goals might as well have been carbon copies of one another. The left-footed Berrah spent time on both wings Sunday afternoon, but it was on the left where both goals came. Running with the ball at her feet down the left-wing and into the box, all it took both times was a neat finish in the low, far, corner of the net to set off the celebrations.

Berrah almost did it again just two minutes after her USL W League Goal of the Week nominee in the 86th minute to seal the deal, but she was denied her hat trick; though not the effusive praise of fans and spectators near and far.

The thread that runs through the entire performance for the women is the first clean sheet of the season. It was Olivia Brannon’s third CB partner of the season, and yet again it was another stout defensive effort, this one being the stoutest of them all, to this point. 

Ashley Zugay, an Ann Arbor product who played her high school ball at Pioneer, stood firmly up to the challenge of holding KZFC goalless and meshed immediately with Brannon. Tiffanie Hollingsworth (from South Lyon) made her third straight start at left back to open the season, making way to allow Camila Pescatore her AFCAA debut. 

Jayde Riviere, the final piece of the back four, did it all. Her first chance to be seen by the AFCAA faithful did not disappoint. She affected the game in attack as her driving cross in the 51st minute earned an own goal and put AFC comfortably in front. Likewise, defensively, when Kalamazoo sensed a break, it was Riviere using her speed to get over from right back across the line to left-center back to make a tackle and clear out the danger. 

It cannot be overstated that this is also the first match that many of these women are playing together. The likes of Grabias and Pescatore also made only peripheral cameos in the attempt to ease the women into the fold, and yet their impact feels immediate. The fact that the offside trap was working all day tells you all you need to know about where this team currently is. There is a real togetherness here. 

The women’s home opener was also an opportunity to celebrate Ms. Kallista Walker and Our Community Reads. Members of the Queen’s Club got to accompany players from both teams out for starting eleven announcements and received autographs afterward. It was a special day for all involved in the celebration, and, to be quite honest, I don’t think the Queen’s Club's collective joy on the day will be topped as the happiest moment of the season for me. This sensitive artist sheds a happy tear for the joys of the home opener. :’-)

Tuesday, May 24, Saline HS

Even the quickest glance of the scoresheet for the men’s side of the AFCAA/KZFC battle would tell you all you need to know. Kalamazoo FC toppled The Mighty Oak in the first of three battles between the sides, 2-1, in a match with two goals in the final “ten” minutes, over ten minutes (unofficially) of stoppage time, and seven red cards in the third act of this drama of what can only be described as a match that felt directed by Godard—simply Breathless.

The first half was more or less a feeling-out process between the two sides. Curt Calov saw an impressive long-range effort saved well – a shot that seemed to just keep flying closer and closer to goal before it required a vital intervention. Jared Mazzola was also pressed into action in the 43rd minute and needed to stop a point-blank shot as KZFC’s eventual goal-scorer, Enrique Banuelos, was through on goal. 

Banuelos would score almost immediately in the second half, and Kalamazoo was surely overjoyed at what was a best-case scenario for the visiting side. Specialists in playing compact and rigid football, KZFC stumped most AFCAA attacks for much of the second half.

But The Mighty Oak found a second wind with some substitutions to replace some tired legs. And who could blame them! Even to this point, it had been an intense match, made only more heated as AFCAA pushed for an equalizing goal. 

And in the 81st minute, Sean Kerrigan had found the breakthrough. The winger had looked dangerous all night but hadn’t really had that one chance to fall his way. But here he was, isolated against an excellent center back in Paul-Florian Efang, but someone who he had an edge on in pace and that first step. 

Shion Soga dispatches of a penalty kick for his fourth goal of the season while Moshtaba Al-Hasnawi watches.

Kerrigan feigned cutting inside, but on the right wing, he cut onto his favored right foot, and Efang’s leg was caught in the metaphorical cookie jar as he tripped up Kerrigan. Shion Soga was called on to dispatch the penalty, and he did so coolly, notching his fourth goal of the season, and leading the entire club. 

1-1, game on. 

For approximately 150 seconds. 

Kerrigan went in hard on a slide tackle, but nothing that this writer thought was extraordinarily egregious. That was not the common opinion of the KZFC players, who immediately swarmed Kerrigan in defense of their aggrieved teammate. Kerrigan was initially shown a yellow for that tackle, but with enough players in that close of quarters, and with the quick boil burner already turned on, things got messy as players began pushing and shoving, and the game ground to a screeching halt. 

Six players saw red in the aftermath of the on-field quarrel. Kerrigan saw a straight red that replaced the initial yellow for the challenge. Hunter Morse was the on-field KZFC player ejected for his escalation of the matter, forcing KZFC to use their third goalkeeper, this one a position player required to mind the net for the hefty amount of stoppage time. Four players saw red for coming off the bench, two on each side, which would boost the red card tally to six for the skirmish. 

It took an understandably significant amount of time for the referee crew to sort out the fracas, and as a result, there was plenty of extra time for either side to find a breakthrough. That side happened to be Kalamazoo, who leveled through an impact sub of their own (Cyrus Harmon). 

My second page of notes from the men’s bout, which tells you everything you need to know about what happened in a few short lines (if you can read my chicken scratch).

The result of the stoppage was a total stop of the match, and one that AFCAA could simply not recover from. They had the positive momentum, and a long-term stoppage like that is going to jolt any team from their rhythm. When you double in the fact that KZFC is a side that can cope well with disjointed games, and enjoy breaking play up themselves, there was certainly trouble afoot. 

This is the sort of game that you just simply cannot help but roll your eyes at when you come out on the wrong side of it. There is no shame in losing to a strong Kalamazoo FC side. Coming into the match, this was a battle of top-ten teams according to the USL League Two Power Rankings. I don’t think either side did anything to harm their rankings with this match. But when you lose like that? Not super fun. 

These two sides will see each other twice more, both times in Kalamazoo, so The Mighty Oak will have plenty of opportunities to make amends, and there are plenty of positives to pull from the match. A very strong defensive effort helped stem the tides against a brawny KZFC attack. All eyes were on Jackson Kasanzu, the Tanzanian center back already drawing oohs and aahs in training, and he showed why here. 

Remarkably calm for his first career match in the United States, Kasanzu defended well while also dishing out some remarkable passes. One particular ball was played over the top to Kerrigan, playing on the left. I looked to my right to Jinseong Kim, Assistant Media Director and scorekeeping partner extraordinaire, and said, “Nice idea, but a little overhit.” But the ball sort of just held in the air, as if Kasanzu told it to wait for a moment so Kerrigan could catch up.

Kasanzu did it all alongside his CB partner David Garcia, who has also shown himself to be a gifted technician with the ball at his feet. This is an AFCAA side that has some excellent passers, and Hideyuki Ochi serves as a vital link in the midfield between not just defense and midfield, but midfield and attack from his deeper holding midfield position. 

The Mighty Oak looked plenty Mighty at times, but the laws of the universe state that sometimes you must lose even if you really, really, don’t want to. And tonight just happened to be one of those nights.

Did you like this? Read some more!

Matchday Diary: Week One

Matchday Diary: Week Two

AFC Ann Arbor Women Top Kalamazoo FC 3-0 in Home Opener

By Jinseong Kim

AFC Ann Arbor women grabbed a well-deserved 3-0 win over the in-state rival Kalamazoo FC. A brace from Swiss-born Lina Berrah and an own goal from KZFC defense were enough to entertain and excite fans on the stands in the USL W League season home opener at Hornet Stadium. 

For the first 20 minutes, AFCAA took some time to test the opponent with some shots from long range, and it profited in the 22nd minute. It was the Campbellsville duo again who were at the front in last Friday’s 3-1 win over Kings Hammer FC. Angeline Kieh connected a header pass to Lina Berrah on the left side of the box. Berrah then fired to the bottom right corner, sending the goalkeeper the wrong way. 

The Mighty Oak pushed forward right away as soon as KZFC kicked off to extend the lead, and they were soon only an inch away from scoring the second. Jayde Riviere hit the crossbar from far away, and the follow-up shot from Angeline Kieh went straight to the goalkeeper. In the 29th minute, Kieh tried to flick an attempted scorpion kick over the goalkeeper, but the acrobatic effort was saved. A shot after that, The Mighty Oak hit the woodwork again, this time, from the boot of Tatiana Mason.

Five minutes before the half, AFCAA attacked with three consecutive shots from Tatiana Mason, Luana Grabias, and Angeline Kieh. Mason’s initial effort was punched away by the keeper, Luana’s shot went off the bar, and Kieh’s final shot was blocked by the defender.

The hunt for an extra goal came to fruition early in the second half. In the 51st minute, Jayde Riviere whipped the cross into the box from the right flank, which would brush off Kieh, and deflect off the defender’s left foot. The deflected ball went towards the goal, which was too quick for the KZFC goalie Nerea Mora to react.

After extending the lead to two, AFCAA continued to dominate the game by outnumbering in possession and shots. The only decent opportunity from Kalamazoo came in at the 74th minute mark, but Jayde Riviere was there to block the one-on-one situation. 

A late goal in the 86th minute widened the gap to three, and it was Lina Berrah again. Second-half substitute Jenna Smith provided a sweet 30-yard long through ball over the top to Berrah on the left wing. After a soft touch, Berrah found the far right post which would comfortably go in. Berrah could’ve finished her day with a hat-trick as she broke through the defense a minute after the brace. But the effort was blocked by the defender.

The goal-scoring hero Lina Berrah was named the Milk Means More Women of the Match. On today’s performance, Berrah would say, “We did well in the first half. We kept the ball, and scored. [Of course], we missed some opportunities but [we’re happy that] we kept the clean sheet. I’m very happy to score two goals today in front of the fans. Although I missed some chances, I'm satisfied overall. 

Women’s assistant coach Victor Plasse was content on the overall team performance today. “Honestly, we played alright. Actually, it was our first chance to gather the whole squad here, to feel what kind of team we will be this season. Our defense looked great. We created chances going forward.” 

On the first clean sheet victory of the year, he would say, “It’s always an excellent thing  to have a clean sheet. I would like to give the goalie and defenders a round of applause. They felt well about the game they played. We are very impressed about the defense, and how they are starting to communicate with each other, [considering that] they all have different backgrounds, and from different countries.”

AFC Ann Arbor women will get back on action next Saturday, May 28, as the ladies host Indy Eleven for the fourth round of the season. 

Match Preview: Women Open Home Slate Against Kalamazoo FC

By Jinseong Kim and Ryan Makuch

This weekend, the AFC Ann Arbor women’s team celebrates their home opener as they take on in-state rivals Kalamazoo FC on Sunday, May 22, at 4 pm. The match also serves the dual purpose of being the women’s first home USL W League match.

The women’s team grabbed their inaugural USL W League victory last Friday in Cincinnati against Kings Hammer FC, topping the hosts 3-1 with efforts from Tatiana Mason, Lina Berrah, and Angeline Kieh. Holding a 1-1-0 record and sitting joint-third with three points, the Mighty Oak women are off on a hunt to collect another three points in front of the home crowd. With more international players being able and present on the team this weekend, AFCAA women will feature with the most competitive, strong squad so far in the season on the field of Hornet Stadium.

Thus far, several women in the blue and white of The Mighty Oak have made splashes. Chloe Ricketts just earned the inaugural USL W League Goal of the Week honor for her strike against Flint City AFC in the season opener. Ricketts is one of three women, joining Tatiana Mason and Angeline Kieh, to have both a goal and an assist in these first two games of the season. Kieh, in particular, earned hers in stunning fashion, both coming in the victory over Kings Hammer FC, and earning her Woman of the Match honors in the process.

Off the field, yet still literally on it, at halftime, Kallista Walker will be honored with the Bank of Ann Arbor Community Award. We also thank the club’s official transportation sponsor Golden Limousine for ensuring that Walker’s Queen’s Club will arrive to the match in style.

The Opponents 

Kalamazoo FC is a familiar Michigan rival for the men’s squad, but this weekend’s game is the very first encounter for the women. Establishing the USL W League franchise in January 2022, Kalamazoo has quickly integrated into the new league. KZFC’s women have embedded into the league with all sorts of results: a 1-1 draw against Detroit City FC at Keyworth, a KZFC victory over Flint City AFC 3-1, and, most recently, a 5-2 defeat to Midwest United.

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!

Olivia Brannon Balances On and Off-Field Roles with AFCAA Women

By Ryan Makuch

When Olivia Brannon agreed to serve as an assistant coach for The Mighty Oak’s inaugural season in the USL W League, it was not initially a player/coach role. But as we gear up for the third week of play, Brannon has inarguably been a vital part of AFCAA on the field equally as off the field, or on the training pitch.

Through these first two weeks of the season, Brannon has stood out as the anchor of the defense. She has been the long center back to play all 90 minutes in both games, and only Tiffanie Hollingsworth across the back four has also played all 180 minutes of the season. Brannon has been reliably calm, exactly what you’d expect from a player coach, and she agrees that the role has suited her well to start the year.

“As a coach, I’m always hopping in and coaching during activities and games with my players, and as a player, I’m naturally very vocal and organize players around me,” Brannon would say, adding, “so the player coach role is the best of both worlds.” She added with a smile that the playing aspect is a bit more physically demanding than the coaching part, but they are both equally exciting prospects for Brannon.

Brannon also shared some insight into her line of thinking as a player coach. Brannon said, “An interesting thing I’ve noticed is that there are moments during training when I catch myself thinking more like a player or more like a coach, depending on the situation, but very rarely is there an off switch where I’m not thinking about the team from a playing or coaching perspective.”

Brannon’s pedigree as a player and as a coach both have made her a natural fit into the side, who decided that the extra experience in defense would be both needed and welcomed, especially in these early days as players continue to arrive and get to full fitness. As a player, Brannon spent two seasons playing for the University of Virginia, earning a nod to the All-ACC Freshman Team, before transferring closer to home, to Michigan, where she would finish out her career and earn her degree. A strong defender whose favorite aspect of the game is defending, her organization and her 1v1 capabilities were highlighted as key strengths for her.

Brannon also emphasized her versatility and, indirectly, her willingness to do whatever she can to help her side’s cause. “My preferred position is center back, but I’m one of those players who will play anywhere if it means I can help the team.”

When it comes to coaching, Brannon also has an extensive list of credentials. Brannon has done significant work at the youth level, including serving as a head coach in the Michigan Jaguars academy system in 2017-to 21, before moving to Michigan Rush Downriver. 

Brannon also joins a strong contingent of members of The Mighty Oak who have international experience. Brannon has represented the United States at the U17 and U20 levels, where she aided in their qualification to the 2010 and 2012, respectively, Women’s Youth World Cups. 

It is these well-rounded experiences that make Brannon a standout on the field. As one of the most experienced members of this season’s women’s side, her confident and calming presence around the club instantly springs to mind the sort of effect that Mami Yamaguchi had on some of the younger players at the club in 2019 when she appeared for the club. 

Brannon is also deeply passionate about her work as a coach, and she is enjoying the current moment with AFCAA very much. “What I love most about coaching at this level is the amount of passion I get to see and work with day in and day out,” she would say. “Not only from the players, but from the coaching/administrative staff, and the community.” 

“It’s been a long time since I’ve been in this kind of environment and every day is honestly a treat,” Brannon would also add, emphasizing a sort of emotion that many in the AFCAA Family have expressed previously about the return to action of the club. 

“Since this is my first season with AFCAA and in the league, I want to continue to learn and grow as a player and coach,” Brannon said when discussing her own goals and desires for the season. “I want the best outcome for our team and to help each woman in achieving their personal goals.” But the end result is important too in sport. “And, of course, I want to win,” Brannon pointedly said. 

Thus far, Brannon has helped AFCAA to their first USL W League victory, a 3-1 win over Kings Hammer FC on the Ohio/Kentucky border. The wins have started, and the hope is that with help from players like Brannon, and the player-coach’s own inspiration boosting the club, they will continue. 

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!

Matchday Diary: Two Matches, One Day, Six Points: A Timeline

By Ryan Makuch

AFC Ann Arbor has always embraced challenges as a club. On the field, a rare fearlessness has been embraced by the squad. Rare in the sense that it is instilled within a club in and of itself. The challenge of the ‘build’ phase of the club has always been epitomized by its players. Countless professional players have walked through the club. Past pros, like Boyzzz Khumalo and Mami Yamaguchi, and present pros, like Joseph Okumu and Dario Suarez, to name just a few, represent the standard-bearers of the club’s on-field results. It is through them that models for the present and shaped and formed.

On the unluckiest of all the days, and facing much adversity, this 2022 iteration of The Mighty Oak once again proved that they have the power to rise up and meet those challenges head-on. 

This is the Matchday Diary, where we talk about the games as they were, after they happened, to learn more about the game, our club, and our community. 

Today, we’re walking you through 150 crazy minutes of life while loving AFC Ann Arbor. The men kicked off at 7 PM in Spring Arbor, Michigan, a late change from Hope Athletic Complex in Lansing. Likewise, the women kicked off at 7 PM in Alexandria, Kentucky, hoping to Cincinnati’s Kings Hammer FC, but playing in Cincinnati due to the nearness of Kentucky to Cincy (the states share a border on the Ohio River). Let’s dive in.

Friday, May 13, in a whole bunch of places, both literally and metaphorically.

6:45 PM

Team news comes out. Which is a fun sentence to say, because what an integral part of world football is that little flicker of excitement that you get from seeing the starting eleven of your favorite team.

For this writer, that is his cue to split-screen his laptop, and move his chair out to the fire escape to enjoy the first truly sublime summer evening (85! And sunny!) here in Michigan. 

This lasts mere moments before carpenter bees swarm, informing me that now since it’s warm out, this rough, unfinished, wood fire escape is very much their territory during the day. They make a very compelling argument, and I scuttle inside.

7:04 PM

Anthems are played at both matches. In her debut at the club, Jayde Riviere would continue to inspire as she kneeled for its playing against Kings Hammer. It was a powerful moment that Bilal Saeed called, “One of the proudest moments I’ve had as Chair of the club.” 

AFC Ann Arbor does not play the national anthem for reasons outlined in our 10-Point Accountability and Action Plan drawn up as the founding member of the Anti Racist Soccer Club.

I spoke with Riviere for a USL W League ‘In Profile’ piece and what she said then holds firm to her actions here and now.

I think it's really important to be a part of a team that reflects what its community is like. I can see how tight-knit the community is and I think it's really cool that AFC Ann Arbor gives back while making sure to include people of different backgrounds, races, and ethnicities.

Commitment to understanding the needs of the community is vital in all walks of life. Riviere continues to serve as a powerful image to us all off the pitch.

She also serves as a complete professional model on the pitch, too, because she balls out (we’ll get there).

7:12 PM

We’re off to the races immediately! Our first goal of the night, and it’s one to the good! 

Angie Kieh chasing down a ball against Kings Hammer. Kieh’s early back-heel pass was just a sign of the goal and assist to come.

Shion Soga has been electric to start this season. Starting in the midfield in the season opener, he bagged a brace and an assist, the exclamation point being a stunning long-range effort. Against Lansing City, he was similarly excellent. Starting as a number nine, Soga latched onto a deflected ball and had a tap-in eight minutes into the game. 

7:15 PM

A warning shot from Angie Kieh. On the right sideline, she lays off a neat backheel to Riviere and makes it look so simple it’s suspicious. This will not be the last time she is mentioned. 

7:33 PM

It is at around this point on the men’s stream that I realize that this looks, and sounds, more like an AFC Ann Arbor home game. What makes me recognize that is that I see Main Street Hooligan Brian Hinz preparing to lead another full-throated chant from the away support.

7:38 PM

Another goal! The men make it 2-0, and Yushi Nagao played a central role in his debut for the club. 

Nagao made a critical impact in the midfield all throughout the evening, but his work on the second goal was the statement piece of his performance. First, Nagao received the ball not much past the halfway line. Carrying forward, he surged into space and forced the Lansing City defense’s hand. 

It was his free kick to take, and while he benefited from a deflection, the effort would have been on target and was struck hard off the boot. The goal came in the 36th minute, and it was a key goal for the side.

7:50 PM

I have in my notes “Nagao ends a career with a shoulder feint” as the last action of the first half for the men. It’s a decent summary for that match, it seemed The Mighty Oak had picked up straight from where they left off on the home opener.

The women’s side also has their final action of the first half at this mark, and it’s their best chance of the game to this point. Tatiana Mason forces the best save of the evening to that point from the Kings Hammer keeper. It’s a low shot that is kick-saved away, but it’s a testament to Mason’s ability to get into good spaces not just in the midfield and in deeper parts of the pitch, but also in the box and within the attack. More than anything in the midfield, she’s a connecter, and her job has been executed well.

7:58 PM

This writer uses halftime to chug a bunch of water and take out his recycling. The bees remain unwilling to share the space at this time, and I must respect their wishes. 

8:10 PM

We are about five minutes past the halftime interlude, and this is roughly where AFCAA starts to find more attacking opportunities. Chloe Ricketts has a shot on target saved that saw Riviere on the left getting involved with Brooklyn Whitehead in the build-up. 

8:15 PM

Mason sends a through-ball to Whitehead, whose shot is deflected for a corner, that is ultimately cleared. 

8:19 PM

It’s Mason again to make a tackle around 35 yards away from the net, dribble a couple of times, and shoot – albeit, it’s a tame effort. Nevertheless, that creative spark mixed with desire is on display in these last ten minutes. 

8:21 PM

In this week’s edition of ‘Spot the COYMO Chant’, I hear it loud and beautifully, and the chant leads into another great opportunity as here in the 60th minute Soga makes another shot happen thanks to his speed and dazzling touch. 

8:29 PM – 8:58 PM: Everything, Everywhere, All At Once

For 29 minutes, things are happening, and they do not stop. They blur together in the moment, but they can be taken apart and broken down. 

8:29 PM: Lansing City finds a goal. It’s a long-range effort that just finds its way into the back of the net.

8:34 PM: The women find their breakthrough! It’s Mason – her frenzied banging at the door of the Kings Hammer net pays off. Ricketts feeds her through and it’s 1-0. 

Luke Benford accepting his Man of the Match Award from an enthusiastic Main Street Hooligans traveling support.

8:36 PM: It was the worst of times. Lansing equalize. But before you even have the chance to process the scoreline 8:37 PM: It was the best of times! Luke Benford is fed through by an underlapping Tomas Casas, who put in an excellent shift at left-back, and he buries his chance on goal with authority. 

8:38 PM: Lina Berrah, another substitute making a massive impact on the field, ensured that the good times would continue to roll, doubling The Mighty Oak’s lead.

8:48 PM: Kings Hammer pull a goal back, and maybe, just maybe, pry the door open … 

8:52 PM: Angie Kieh slams the door shut so hard it falls off its hinges.

For the second goal, Kieh was the assisting player, aided in the build-up play by Riviere. But here on the third goal, it was Riviere feeding Kieh and letting the midfielder unleash a strike from 22 yards out. Like Soga’s strike at the men’s opener, it was the emphatic punctuation mark on an excellent evening. Dazzling with her footwork and her final ball, Kieh earned Woman of the Match honors not just for the goal contributions, but for her work all over the pitch. 

8:58 PM: 

Word of the final whistle in Cincinnati reaches me at the exact same time the whistle sounds on my stream of Spring Arbor. You really couldn’t script it out much better. 

9:25 PM: The Aftermath

Last week, the performances of both sides were enough to spur the teams forward hitting the ground running ahead of this Friday night match. Overcoming adversity remained the key domain to pull learnings from. 

For the women, the loss at Flint City was an example of where improvements could be made and where strengths could be built upon. The result was a historic victory – the first for the club in the USL W League. Stars from the first match welcomed the likes of Riviere and Ellie Ferguson, who excelled at CB for over 65 minutes and was replaced by an equally strong Anna Doane, making her second appearance as a sub for AFCAA, in the starting eleven. Positive growth is simply figured to be implied. 

For the men, a ten-minute blip proved to the side that they were not infallible, like all teams. Eventually, someone would find the back of the net against them. The immediate counter-punch of Luke Benford’s third goal was surely the exact response Men’s Head Coach Rod Asllani was looking for. The fact that it came as a result of some beautiful team build-up play was the cherry on top, and the second win of the season for the men’s Oaks is a joy to behold. 

And so here we sit, at 9:25 PM, the calm after the storm settling in. News of the big day begins to fully spread. Pictures (ones you’re seeing in this very article) began to flood in of the events. Dark settled upon Michigan, and so, too, comes the weekend. The celebrations could continue, at least for the time being. Just watch out for the carpenter bees.

Matchday Diary: Week One

AFC Ann Arbor Women Earn First USL W League Victory, Topple Kings Hammer 3-1

By Ryan Makuch

The Mighty Oak’s women’s side traveled down to Cincinnati to square off with Kings Hammer FC. They walked out with all three points and one of the most famous victories in the early history of AFCAA’s women’s team – a 3-1 victory over Kings Hammer FC on one of the first truly beautiful evenings of the summer. 

AFC Ann Arbor started the match well, getting on the front foot quickly. Angeline Kieh and Brooklyn Whitehead both had shots in the first ten minutes, and Kieh showed off some quality early with a nice back-heel lay-off to Jayde Riviere, making her AFCAA debut, on the right touchline. 

AFCAA continued to assert themselves within the run of play, with counter-attacks and set-pieces serving as great opportunities for The Mighty Oak’s women’s presence to be felt in the attack. Kings Hammer would take a foothold in the game around the 35th minute, but AFCAA would have a great, late, chance in the first half, as Tatiana Mason’s close-range shot in first-half stoppage time was saved well with a kick save by the keeper. 

It was a late first-half warning shot from AFCAA, who had built well into the game. Another debutant, Ellie Ferguson, helped keep the defense grounded and strong throughout the first half with plenty of headers away in the defensive third. 

It was a strong first-half performance, but it was fairly balanced, with the emphasis being on a strong defensive effort from The Mighty Oak. Kings Hammer opened the second half with a point to prove, but by the 60th minute, AFCAA had established an even stronger hold in the game.

Kendall Robertson also had her part to play in the match, as a high bouncing ball in the six-yard box raised some questions about the defense. Robertson would claim the ball, though, and ensure that no further harm could be raised.

It took just another ten minutes for AFCAA to find the breakthrough they had been hoping for, but it was eventually found by the boot of Tatiana Mason, whose excellent finish was only enhanced by the stellar build-up of Kieh, who earned the Milk Means More Woman of the Match for her work done throughout the whole match, who found Chloe Ricketts in an area for her to deliver a crucial final ball to Mason.

It took just four more minutes to find the second, as Lina Berrah, who came off the bench as a substitute, linked up with Kieh, her Campbellsville teammate, to double The Mighty Oak’s lead. Credit must also go to Riviere, who started this attack as well with some forward-thinking full-back play.

After a Kings Hammer response in the 84th minute, Kieh finally got a goal of her own with a 22-yard screamer in the 88th minute. Riviere will get credit for the assist, but it was a screamer that demanded the headlines for its beauty as well as the exclamation point it put on an excellent day for The Mighty Oak’s Liberian. 

From there, it was all textbook. Robertson made another strong save in the 90th minute for AFCAA, but the scoreline remained 3-1 till the final whistle, ensuring that AFC Ann Arbor’s women would take all three points on the long bus ride home with them.

AFC Ann Arbor’s women open their home campaign on Sunday, May 22, at 4 PM at Saline High School. The Mighty Oak will take on Kalamazoo FC, and we will be pleased to award the Bank of Ann Arbor Community Award to Kallista Walker at halftime. 

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!

AFC Ann Arbor Men Secure Three Points Against Lansing City Football

By Jinseong Kim

On a beautiful, sunny, Friday evening, AFC Ann Arbor earned a hard-fought 3-2 victory over newly-founded Lansing City Football at Spring Arbor University. Two goals from two Japanese midfielders in the first half gave the Mighty Oak early lead. Despite allowing the opponents to level the game back, the game winner from Luke Benford secured three points. 

The first goal came early from the Man of the Match of the season opener Shion Soga. Daisuke Otsuka, starting for the first time in the season, connected a cut back from the left side to a shot in the box. The initial effort was blocked by the defender, but Soga was waiting at the place where the ball would fall down. After a simple touch, Soga comfortably placed it bottom left, secured The Mighty Oak’s 1-0 advantage.

AFCAA continued to apply pressure to Lansing City with a series of set pieces. In the 16th minute, David Garcia went directly for the goal from a free kick in front of the arc but was saved by the goalkeeper. The follow-up shot from Soga hit the wall. AFCAA earned several more set piece opportunities, but failed to draw products out of them, until the 35th minute mark.

Ten minutes before the half time, Yushi Nagao was tripped up during an excellent run and earned a free kick right outside of the box, which was slightly closer to the box than Garcia’s opportunity. Nagao stepped forward to finish up the chance he earned, and converted the free kick, aided by deflection on the way in from a defender. The right-footed banger extended the Mighty Oak’s lead to two. Lansing’s striker Nathan Ntalu grabbed an one-on-one opportunity right before the half, but a properly timed challenge from Jamie Lamb distressed the pressure. 

AFCAA had a positive start to the second half, and the goalscorers Shion Soga and Yushi Nagao were at the heart of the attack. Three minutes after the restart, Soga’s corner from the right side was later headed on by Nagao. It resulted in a clear chance for David Garcia, but the defenders got to the ball before the Spanish defender. 

In the 52nd minute, Nagao, Otsuka, and Soga attempted a counter after Lansing’s failed free kick. The attackers outnumbered the defense by three to two, but the two consecutive shots from Otsuka and Soga couldn’t find the net.

From the 60th minute mark, things went in favor of Lansing, as the hosts pushed forward to close the deficit. AFCAA suddenly slipped and allowed the opponent to level the game only in a six-minute gap. The comeback took place in the 68th minute. Jack Beck went for a long-range, left-footed effort from about 20 yards away from the goal. Lansing equalized the game in the 74th minute. A third ball in the box off a Lansing corner kick happened to land on Shady Omar’s feet, and he put it into the net with no struggles.

The Mighty Oak tightened their concentration wheels and responded right away. A quick team talk on the pitch after conceding the second has shed a light on how they would overcome the adversity. And overcome they did. This time it was the substitute Luke Benford who became a hero of the night. Only a minute had passed from Lansing equalizing when Benford received a nice through-ball from Tomas Casas, dribbled past two defenders inside the box, and found the bottom right corner.

Benford’s dazzling finish at the 76th minute mark wrapped up the lion’s share of the action for the evening’s match and served as the moment that the Mighty Oak secured a 3-2 win, extending the winning streak to two. Today’s result was not just a victory, but what the team earned as a united team.

The men’s team takes on Oakland County FC next on Saturday, May 21, at Royal Oak High School.

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!

Match Preview: AFCAA Men at Lansing and Women to Cincinnati

By Jinseong Kim

AFC Ann Arbor, both men’s and women’s, travel away from home on Friday, May 13, for the second game of the season. The men’s team visits Lansing to take on a new USL League Two franchise Lansing City Football at Spring Arbor University. Meanwhile, the women’s side, ventures down to Cincinnati to face Kings Hammer FC at Corcoran Field. Both games kick-off at 7pm. Both Lansing City Football and Kings Hammer FC are unfamiliar names to the Mighty Oak, as Friday will be the first encounter between the two. 

Starting off the season with a victorious 5-0 win over the state rivals Oakland County FC, The Mighty Oak’s men are eager to extend their great home opener form to the first away match of the season. The last time when the men’s team kicked off the summer campaign with two wins in a row dates back to 2018. The Mighty Oak began the 2018 NPSL season with 11-0 goal difference in first three games against Milwaukee Torrent (4-0), Detroit City FC (1-0), and FC Indiana (6-0). The men’s team looks forward to mirror a positive run that happened four years ago.

The AFCAA women’s team looks to be up for a mission to snag the inaugural victory in USL W League. Despite the unfortunate 4-2 defeat at Flint, the club was able to draw out various positive aspects. Holding an experienced Flint City AFC side to a two-goal deficit with only 14 players being available, and witnessing a banger from Chloe Ricketts were memorable highlights. AFCAA women look forward to bringing this optimism to one of the longest away trips in the division, against one of the top sides in the division.

The Opponent

Lansing City Football is a newly founded USL League Two franchise based in Lansing, Michigan. They first founded a professional futsal team in 2017 and later expanded to traditional 11-side soccer. The encounter between the Mighty Oak is their debut game at USL League Two. 

Kings Hammer FC may be more familiar to fans as a former USL League Two Great Lakes Division franchise. This season, the men’s USL League Two side now plays in the Valley Division of the Central Conference, but the Cincinnati side subsequently established the women’s team and announced their entry to the USL W League earlier this year. They commenced their inaugural season last Friday, May 6 with a defeat against the conference favorites Indy Eleven FC (1-3).

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!

AFC Ann Arbor Welcomes Jared Mazzola to the 2022 Men's Squad

By Jinseong Kim

AFC Ann Arbor bid an official welcome to Jared Mazzola for the USL League Two season. Mazzola has already showcased in front of the home fans in the home opener against Oakland County FC. The goalkeeper kept a clean score sheet and contributed to AFCAA’s tremendous 5-0 victory.

Mazzola has been one of the top goalkeepers in the collegiate soccer league during his NCAA Division I career. At the MAAC side Quinnipiac University, he has been the regular choice goalkeeper of the Bobcats in all four seasons he spent. The one to highlight is his final year as a senior/graduate student. Mazzola was selected as the MAAC Goalkeeper of the Year, and to the All-MAAC squad, after recording a .818 save percentage and allowing only one goal per game on average.

His impressive NCAA performances would catch the eye of New York Red Bulls U23, a reserve side of the MLS franchise New York Red Bulls which competed in the USL League Two Eastern Conference, Metropolitan Division, until 2021. In his inaugural USL2 season, Mazzola appeared in five games and allowed only one goal throughout the season. His performance helped NYRB U23 to Conference Quarterfinals. 

Recalling back a year when he began to hit his stride, Mazzola revealed how much he had improved as a player in the 2021 season. “2021 was a good year for me, I was able to help contribute to a school title during the regular season, and I was fortunate to have gotten some recognition as the 2021 Goalkeeper of the Year. The transition from Quinnipiac to Red Bulls was great, and I was fortunate for my time at Red Bulls. I was in an excellent environment and got good game minutes.”

On becoming part of the Mighty Oak family, Mazzola expressed his excitement on it. “Overall, I am very excited to join AFCAA! Since I have been here, I have felt very welcomed and am enjoying training and the accommodations. I chose this club because my agent and I both felt that it was a good move for me. There is great exposure in this league, and I am excited to be a part of a great club!”

Mazzola pointed out dedication and affability as his strengths. “As a person, I would say that I am very work-oriented and am focused on making football my career. With that being said, I love to joke around and have fun with my teammates.” 

Men’s Head Coach Rod Asllani agreed on Mazzola’s self evaluation, highlighting dedication as the primary reason why the Albanian started him in the goal. “Jared has been training well since he joined us so he earned the start. All the good work he’s done in training showed during the game. He shows confidence and that gives the team more security and calmness.”

Wrapping the discussion up, Mazzola revealed his ambition to stand on top along with the talented squad. “For this season, my goals are simply to aim as high as possible. I would love to play a part in capturing another title for this club, as well as playing genuine classic team football. From what I've seen from the squad so far, why can't we go all the way?”

We look forward to a positive start of the season with Jared’s ambition held in our mind. 

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!

Matchday Diary: Away Adventures and Home Cooking on Opening Weekend

By Ryan Makuch

Two matches, one weekend, one conclusion: AFC Ann Arbor sure seems ready to try this ‘USL’ thing out. Both sides, men and women, fought hard and, win or lose, put on performances to be exceedingly proud of, doubly so given the 1,000+ days in-between games for both teams. 

This is the Matchday Diary, where we talk about the games as they were, after they happened, to learn more about the game, our club, and our community. 

Saturday, May 8: Flint, MI

“Let’s start at the very beginning, a very good place to start!”

The Sound of Music was on full display this entire weekend, but hearing the first call-and-response of the trademark ‘COYMO’ made it abundantly clear, that no matter where AFCAA would be, many places would feel like home to them, even on the road.

Atwood Stadium, home of Mark Ingram II (he went to Flint Southwestern for high school), Heisman Trophy winner of 2009, as you are told on not one, but two scoreboards is also now the home of Flint City AFC. This is our first “home away from home”, a beautiful old, 10,000-seat stadium set smack in the heart of downtown Flint. For a first away day, you could not have asked for a nicer evening, sunny and clear, though a chill due to come when the sun descends from its perch overhead.

The Main Street Hooligans came down in full force, with attendees doing everything from making the drive up US-23 North, to flying from California to celebrate the opening weekend. New chants were bellowed in support of Boyzzz Khumalo, who made his AFCAA head coaching debut on Saturday, and Chloe Ricketts, the 14-year-old starlet who seemed primed to change the game with every touch of the ball.

Chloe Ricketts delivering a cross. The 14-year-old winger had an early goal-of-the-season candidate and looked generally untouchable on the left.

Saturday night’s headlines were dominated, naturally, by the AFCAA wunderkind, Ricketts. Her stunning finish for The Mighty Oak’s first goal of the season remains the talk of the town, even after a comprehensively eventful weekend. The goal sets an absurd bar for the ‘Youngest Goal Scorer in USL W League History’ record, and she topples teammate Emily Eitzman for the prize of ‘Youngest Goal Scorer in AFCAA History’ as well.

However, it wasn’t just the goal and spectacular finish that impressed in regards to Ricketts’s performance. Her ability, willingness, and desire to do absolutely everything on a soccer pitch set her apart as not just a skillful young player, but a skillful young player with an already-excellent, and still developing, mind for the game. 

Ricketts battled for a full match, all 90 minutes, simultaneously out of necessity for the short-handed Oaks as well as want by the coaching staff, given how she had Flint City defenders on a string for most of the match. The arsenal of tricks Ricketts pulled out while gliding past defenders down the wing is one that would have some of the finest European professional players shaking their heads. It was her high-speed stepovers and quick cut inside that opened her up to strike the ball for her first goal. It was her stunning run and quick-fire cross with her weaker left foot that earned the corner for Brooklyn Whitehead’s lethal finish on The Mighty Oak’s second of the night. It was also her goal that gave AFCAA fans their first truly special moment of the season.

The inaugural USL W League match for The Mighty Oak was not just a showcase of Ricketts, though, but rather an entirely new-feel women’s AFCAA. High-energy pressing, playing out from the back, and a team that is already seeming to understand how to structure itself in game one, new Women’s Head Coach Boyzzz Khumalo already has his women playing some fantastic soccer.

Brooklyn Whitehead’s second goal was a well-deserved reward for her hard work leading the line as a striker. Likewise, Tatiana Mason’s smooth pass down the wing to exactly where Ricketts wanted it rewarded her strong performance with her first assist on the season. 

Credit is also due to a backline that has never played with each other, including Olivia Brannon, the player-coach helping to provide valuable leadership, especially to some of the younger players alongside her on the back-line, but also who played with supreme confidence and coolness. An excellent passer, and with some cute and clever passes to avoid pressure, Brannon looked sharp anchoring the defense.

A short-handed side meant all players mentioned to this point needed to play a full 90 minutes. Rostering just 14 due to clearance issues, The Mighty Oak had to rely on their two newest arrivals to provide a spark of the bench.

“Coming in cold” is usually metaphorical. A figure of speech. Not on Saturday evening in Flint. Angeline Kieh and Lina Berrah arrived in Michigan on Friday. Not yet in the state for 24 hours, both were tasked with making an impact immediately. And in chillier evening conditions, as the sun began to set and the temperature at Atwood Stadium dropped to the low-50s. 

Kieh was bundled up in Club Founder Jamey Amrine’s puffy AFCAA coat at the start of the second half. By the 63rd minute, she was on the field, with her first touch coming in a dangerous position that was quite truly too good to be true. However, as she warmed up to the game (and the weather), it became clear that The Mighty Oak had found another excellent international player to add to their history.

Speaking of internationals, those who followed AFCAA over the past few months may have noticed a handful of women that are here in Ann Arbor but were not suited up to play. A handful of players remain in need of clearance, though the process seems to not be phasing them. The affected women, including Jayde Riviere and Ellie Ferguson, shrugged it off. “Que sera, sera …”

At halftime, Luana Grabias and Vitoria Sia, two more of those women, stood in the bleachers throwing frisbees given out to fans by Flint City back and forth to one another. 

“She is so terrible!” Grabias laughed, as Sia sent a frisbee sailing over her head and wide left. 

Grabias would then promptly shank her throw so badly that the frisbee had barely left her hands before she responded in horror gasping, holding her mouth, unsure where her errant throw would take the plastic disk. It fell harmlessly on a bleacher, about 15 feet from the intended target. Sia had a rebuttal.

“But I’m the terrible one!” 

Grabias had to concede: “We are terrible.”

The pair laughed and continued to toss the frisbee as the traveling support buzzed happily, simply thrilled to be back watching the team they love.

Welcome home! The calm before the storm on Mother’s Day.

Sunday, May 9 (Mother’s Day): Saline High School

If the women’s season opener on the road was the appetizer, then the main course was yet to come. A delightful celebration of community was set for the home opener, and it was a day that felt like ‘the greatest hits’ were being played by an entire organization. 

AFC Ann Arbor’s staff and players must really love their mothers. We already know Men’s Head Coach Rod Asllani does, as he sent love via a PA announcement pre-match to his mother, Razije, and his wife, Marisa. But there’s something special about a home match on Mother’s Day that seems to get AFCAA in the mood to deliver.

And boy did they ever, to the tune of a 5-0 thumping against a strong Oakland County FC side full of talented local players, many of whom played for the side in the past, as recently as last season. 

Combining the raw excitement of the 1-0 victory over Detroit City FC on Mother’s Day 2018 along with the burst of goals that occurred on June 15, 2018, when The Mighty Oak put four past Kalamazoo in 15 minutes, Asllani’s AFCAA took their chances neatly.

Off-the-field, on the day, was a slew of activities for attendees. Women’s players participated in storytime before the match, reading to children and other attendees of the match before the first whistle sounded. Blake Corum was honored at halftime with the Bank of Ann Arbor Community Award. Khalipha’s Mobile Kitchen made her debut at the match, serving up halal soul food for attendees. Even the weather also decided to fully cooperate – sunny and in the high-60s all afternoon, Mother Earth seemed to be providing a gift of her own.

What AFCAA does best is bring people together, and the home opener, a perfect storm of good, did that.

What AFCAA does second-best is put together a pre-professional team that can beat anyone by any score on any day. They did that too.

AFCAA executed to near-perfection during the home opener. Not even counting the five goals, The Mighty Oak also had a penalty kick saved and two long-range strikes smack against the woodwork. The defense held a clean sheet, and all goalkeeper Jared Mazzola was troubled by in regards to shots was one tame late-game effort.

On the flip side, a silky smooth midfield and an electric attack on the wings and through the center meant that the chances could not help but freely flow. Want to go through the middle? Let Hideyuki Ochi find the right ball. Want to attack with effect on the wing? Take your pick between Sean Kerrigan, who gave Oakland County fits all night, drawing a penalty and scoring his own excellent goal in open play, and Moshaba Al-Hasnawi, whose speed and quality of ball on the wing made him extremely dangerous. 

Shion Soga holds up a heart after his scintillating strike. The midfielder notched a pair of goals on the day, along with an assist.

Even a moment looking away from this team felt like it would be a moment too many. In the 78th minute, this writer turned his head for, quite literally, two seconds, and subsequently missed Soga’s second goal, a stunning individual effort well-deserved after Soga got his first goal at the end of a beautifully worked team move. Soga is the only man to record more than one goal contribution, with six other men’s players logging either a goal or assist. 

The quality of the day makes it impossible to choose a favorite aspect of the day’s festivities. How can you possibly choose between Khalipha’s Mobile Kitchen’s mac and cheese bites or Shion Soga’s brace as the best part of the day? Or the opportunity to get autographs from the stars of the men’s team versus storytime with the stars of the women’s?

The excitement throughout the day felt like a steady hum, and it was a venue in equally good spirits post-match as it was pre-game. Soga recounted the day’s events with AFCAA Assistant Media Director Jinseong Kim. Zipties holding the flags of each player and coach’s nationalities, and some others, including a Progress Pride and a ‘Free Palestine’ flag, were snipped, those flags getting subsequently folded and kept safe for the next game where they can be hung with pride yet again.

It was still sunny and stunning as the crowd dispersed. The type of weather you could play another game in, despite the time fast approaching 7 PM. As fans and staff alike dispersed, it seemed like the collective had just one thought: AFCAA may never have left our community, but it sure finally feels like we are well and truly back.

The Mighty Oak's Men Starts the Season with 5-0 Win Over Oakland County FC

By Jinseong Kim

It was a memorable Sunday at Hornet Stadium to all the supporters, players, coaches, staff, and the entire community. AFC Ann Arbor enjoyed a massive 5-0 victory over Oakland County FC in the first home game of the season, first USL League 2 game, and first soccer back in Ann Arbor after 1,025 days of waiting. 

AFCAA started off the first half strongly. The first two legitimate actions came from the current University of Michigan senior Moshtaba Al-Hasnawi. In the 12th minute, Al-Hasnawi himself received a well-delivered pass from Hideyuki Ochi, and created a one-on-one opportunity. His shot hit the bottom right post.

The entire first 45 minutes was dominated by the Mighty Oak, only allowing one shot to the visitors, and the advantage almost profited in the 36th minute. Sean Kerrigan made a 40-yard run on the left flank and went down in the box by John Oshakpemhe, resulting in a penalty. Kerrigan stepped on to take the PK he earned, but it flew towards the middle and was saved by Caleb Norris.

Despite an unfortunate miss, the Mighty Oak immediately bounced back and went hunting for a goal. This time, their success bore fruit. In the 40th minute, Shion Soga whipped in a corner earned by Al-Hasnawi, which flew over to the far side. Hideyuki Ochi and Jamie Lamb were there to claim it. The ball bounced off Lamb, and found David Garcia waiting inside the goal area. The Spanish struck it hard with no hesitation, and it turned out to be the first goal of the game, of the season, and in USL2. 

It took only three minutes to extend the lead to two. Hideyuki Ochi found Shion Soga who sneakily went behind the defenders. Soga then comfortably broke the offside trap, and found the far post. It was the moment that the Japanese combination in the middle shined. 

The search for third never stopped in the first half. Kerrigan hit the post with a right footed effort in the 44th minute, but it was only a signal for an extra goal. Two minutes later, Soga, the goalscorer, finely delivered a corner from the same side where the first came in place. His delivery was punted away by Norris, but it went as far as where Kerrigan was waiting just right outside the box. The Irish’s attempted shot was hit and headed away by the defender, but Tomas Casas waiting in the box connected the clearance to volley. The lead was extended to three before the half.

The second half was identical to what it had been in the first half, and Shion Soga was at the frontline of the attack. Soga provided a smooth pass through OCFC’s defenders collected by Sean Kerrigan up front. Kerrigan easily finished and earned a consolation for his missed penalty at the 59th minute mark.  

The ‘unstoppable’ Soga put icing on the cake with the fifth at the 78th minute mark. Soga received a pass near the far sideline from the substitute Naji Elder, and aimed for the bottom left of the net from the edge of the box. His curling right-footed shot nestled behind the net. AFCAA switched to defense after the fifth, and kept the sheet clean. 

The Milk Means More Man of the Match Shion Soga thanked the fans for the amount of support they gave to players. “We got the momentum right from the start of the game and we were able to score some goals. The support from the stands was brilliant. The amount of fans and loud cheering [from them] pushed the team forward.”

Men’s Head Coach Rod Asllani highlighted his satisfaction to players keeping focus during the second half, which was crucial to the unexpected 5-0 win. “It’s good to get a first win at USL2 since it’s the first game for the club in this league. During halftime [when we were up by three], I told the players that the job is not done and we still have a half to go so we need to finish it. [I wanted players] to start the second half with the same intensity or even higher because we knew the opponent would try to respond back. I’m happy with how the players responded in the second half.”

The men’s squad travel to Lansing on Friday, May 13 to take on Lansing City Football Club, a fellow newcomer to the league at 7p.m. 

Ricketts and Whitehead Score as AFCAA Falls, 4-2, in USL W League Opener

By Jinseong Kim

On a sunny Saturday evening, AFC Ann Arbor suffered a tight 4-2 loss in the two sides’ inaugural USL W League match against Flint City AFC at Atwood Stadium. The Mighty Oak fought until the end with a small 14-player roster, but was two goals away from taking a point back home. 

The first few actions came from the feet of Flint City AFC. The host earned an early free kick right outside of the box in the 7th minute. The cross would find the attacker’s head but went over the bar. AFCAA responded back seven minutes later as Chloe Ricketts and Brooklyn Whitehead made the opposition’s defense uncomfortable with some excellent play. The eventual effort led to a free kick, but Tatiana Mason’s shot missed the net.

Despite putting some decent actions up on front, The Mighty Oak allowed the first goal to be in favor of Flint. A smoothly-struck delivery passed between defenders found the Flint City attacker who only had Kendall Robertson to beat. Robertson tightened the angle, but Jenna Blackburn, forward for Flint City AFC, comfortably found the net in the 22nd minute.

AFCAA went back on attack to pull one back, and the move troubled Flint’s defense. The closest chance came in at the 25th minute mark. Mason tried the long range, right footed effort just outside of the penalty arc, but it was denied by the post. Four minutes later, Flint extended their lead to two on a penalty awarded after a handball inside the box. Kendall Robertson was able to get her hand on the ball, but it slipped off her and went back into the net.

The first goal of the season for The Mighty Oak came in action in the 34th minute from the fearless youngster Chloe Ricketts. From the left flank, Ricketts received a fine one-time pass from Tatiana Mason and dribbled at the edge of the box to get away from pressure. She then launched a curvy shot which ended up in the top right corner that the goalkeeper couldn’t reach out to.

It was at this moment that Ricketts, the youngest player in club’s history, put herself on the book as the youngest goalscorer of the Mighty Oak at age of 14. Previous record was held by Emily Eitzman, when she found the net against North Oakland in the Michigan Milk Cup. When Eitzman set the achievement in 2019, she was 17, which means Ricketts had put it three years earlier. 

The joy from a historic goal didn’t last long as the home side responded immediately before the half time. Flint provided a through ball down the left flank, and the forward Jenna Blackburn collected it and went for a chance in a tight angle. Robertson successfully punched away the first, but couldn’t keep it away far enough. Blackburn reclaimed the ball and struck it inside the net in the 35th minute. 

The Mighty Oak started off the second half with a strike on the post, this time from Anni Rusanen. In the 53rd minute, Rusanen pushed through the box after a cheeky one-two with Jenna Smith, and attempted inside the box. The initial shot deflected off the defender, but she would recollect it and hit with her left foot, which bounced off the post. 

The series of attacks benefitted off in the 63rd minute. A corner kick was followed after Ricketts’ solo run passing through two defenders. Tatiana Mason whipped the corner inside the box and Brooklyn Whitehead put it under her feet after it ricocheted off defenders. The striker comfortably sent it to the bottom left corner to narrow the gap by one.

However, less than a minute after Whitehead’s goal, Alli Leonard scored Flint’s fourth from the 18-yard mark, pushing the lead back to two goals (4-2) in favor of the home side.

The Mighty Oak pushed forward to level the game, and some turned out to have decent chances. But unfortunately, these opportunities never turned into a legitimate outcome. Ricketts’ 50-yard solo run at the 80th minute mark ended up deflecting off the defender. A combination play from Chloe Ricketts, substitute Angline Kieh and Brooklyn Whitehead in the 90th minute went straight to the goalie. The last chance for AFCAA came from Tatiana Mason’s 25-yard free kick. The shot hit the target, but was easily collected by the goalkeeper.

The defeat put on ice AFC Ann Arbor’s search for their first victory in USL W League, but the season opener was also full of optimistic energy and stories to be told. The AFC Ann Arbor women get back to action on Friday, May 13 against Kings Hammer FC at Corcoran Field in Cincinnati. 

EMU and South Lyon Product Tiffanie Hollingsworth Joins AFC Ann Arbor

By Jinseong Kim

AFC Ann Arbor are pleased to announce the signing of Tiffanie Hollingsworth ahead of the inaugural USL W League season. Hollingsworth, born in South Lyon, is coming off her junior season at Eastern Michigan University.

Prior to college, Hollingsworth was highlighted as a top recruit during her time at South Lyon East High School women’s soccer. Hollingsworth was also part of the track team in high school. Competing in the 100m and 200m division, she contributed to the Cougars on winning the regional Division 2 track & field title in 2017.

Hollingsworth committed to the EMU women’s soccer program in Fall 2019. Over the course of three years, Hollingsworth saw a gradual increase in playing time and slowly became a vital defender of the team. During her freshman year, she only appeared in eight games and recorded 128 minutes on pitch throughout the season. But the total playing time has increased to 1,124 minutes in her junior season, appearing in all 18 games. Hollingsworth also notched her first goal in collegiate career against Miami University in September. 

“I am very excited to play for AFCAA.” Hollingsworth said, expressing her delight over playing for AFCAA. “Pushing myself in a new environment is something I think I need as a player who still looks to develop and get better everyday.”

Ypsilanti is a community that is closely tied with AFC Ann Arbor. The club has been working hand-in-hand with public figures from Ypsi. Hollingsworth pointed out the importance of the close bond between The Mighty Oak and Ypsi. “Playing for a local team means a lot to me, especially being from EMU. This is because it gives me a chance to show young local players in the community that they can achieve things in their sport no matter where they come from. It just takes work.” 

She would continue, “It's even more amazing that the local team is AFCAA because they are so dedicated to being great people on the field and even better people for the community and giving back. Being an athlete at EMU, we also take pride in student athletes giving back to the community and I can continue to do that through AFCAA.”

As mentioned, Hollingsworth was a track athlete back in high school, and the experience she had running track has benefitted her to be a competitive fullback. She would elaborate, “I would describe myself as a hardworking, speedy player. As a fullback on the field it allows me to see everything and take people down the line setting up other teammates or going to goal myself. I am dedicated to giving my all when playing soccer because it's something I love to do.” 

On discussing her personality, Holingsworth would state, “I think I am a pretty well rounded person. I have seen success through my club and college career but I have also had struggles and with those struggles it makes me a better and stronger person and player.”

Women’s Head Coach Boyzzz Khumalo has noted that he has been keeping an eye on Hollingsworth over the months. “Hollingsworth is a player that is recommended to us by the head coach of EMU [Scott Hall], but even before that, I used to go watch a few games at EMU and I’ve seen her play before. Bilal and I connected with the coach a couple of months ago. We went to watch the training session and she did well during the session we went to. We wanted to add her to our squad, and she also wanted to play for AFCAA.”

Hollingsworth is prepared to develop herself to become a better player over the summer, and dedicate herself to the team’s efforts. She also showed her eagerness to learn from passionate coaches at AFCAA. 

“My goal for the season is to become a better player. I believe that you have to be comfortable with the ball at your feet in order to make the right decisions and the only way to do this is putting in my time with the ball and practicing. I want to make the most of this opportunity to see the game from a new perspective from awesome coaches and amazing players from all over.“

We, again, would like to give a warm welcome to Tiffanie to the AFCAA Family and we look forward to an excellent summer campaign. 

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!