Midwest United FC is an American soccer club based in Grand Rapids, Michigan who play in the Great Lakes Division of the USL W League. The team was founded in 2016 as the women's side to the Grand Rapids FC brand. Their first season was in 2017.[1] In December 2019, Midwest United FC assumed ownership of the team and rebranded it under their name.[2]
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| Founded | 2016 (as Grand Rapids FC) | ||
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| Stadium | Midwest United FC Soccer Complex Grand Rapids, Michigan | ||
| Head Coach | Lewis Robinson | ||
| League | USL W League | ||
| 2022 | Great Lakes Division: 2nd Playoffs: DNQ | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
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History edit
Grand Rapids FC (GRFC) was started in 2014 by a group of Grand Rapids residents as a community-funded project. The men's team's first season was in 2015 in the newly formed Great Lakes Premier League before moving to the National Premier Soccer League. After two successful seasons that showed average attendance figures over 4,000 each season, the owners announced on November 1, 2016 that they would be adding a women's team to the Grand Rapids FC brand. Their first season was in 2017 in the United Women's Soccer league.[1][3]
The Grand Rapids FC women won the 2017 UWS Championship in their inaugural season [4] on July 22, 2017 at their home stadium, defeating the defending champions Santa Clarita Blue Heat 3 goals to 1.
In December 2019, the Grand Rapids FC brand underwent restructuring. The ownership model was changed and the men's team changed leagues. During this time, the ownership of the women's side was transferred to Midwest United FC and their name was changed to reflect this change.[2][5]
Stadium edit
The team's current stadium is Midwest United FC Soccer Complex in Grand Rapids, Michigan. The team's original home field was at Grandville High School in Grandville, Michigan. They have also played home matches at Aquinas College and Houseman Field.
Record attendance edit
- 2,814 - July 2, 2017 vs Toledo Villa FC at Houseman Field (second game of a doubleheader following GRFC men, attendance counted both games)
- 1,034 - July 22, 2017 vs Santa Clarita Blue Heat (single game record)
Players edit
2023 roster edit
[6] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Notable former players edit
Bethany Balcer (2017) now with Seattle Reign FC and called up to the United States national team- Maddie Pogarch (2017) now with Utah Royals and called up to the United States national U-23 team
- Maia Perez (2018–2021) formerly with Angel City FC
Riley Tanner (2019–2022) now with Washington Spirit and called up to the Panama national team
Head coaches edit
Joe White (2023–present)- Lewis Robinson (2017, 2020–2022)
- Chris Allen (2018)
- James Gilpin (2018–2019)
Honors edit
- National championships (1): 2017
- Conference season championships (2)
- Conference playoff championships (3)
Minor competitions
- UWS Stadium Showcase: 2020
Year-by-year edit
| Year | Tier | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2017 | 2 | UWS | 1st of 7, Midwest (8–1–1) | UWS champions | |
| 2018 | 2 | UWS | 2nd of 7, Midwest (7–1–2) | National semifinal | |
| 2019 | 2 | UWS | 4th of 6, Midwest (3–5–2) | Conference final | |
| 2020 | 2 | UWS | Canceled due to COVID-19 pandemic[7] | ||
| 2021 | 2 | UWS | 1st of 5, Midwest North (9–0–1) | National semifinal | |
| 2022 | 4 | USLW | 2nd of 8, Great Lakes (7–3–2) | DNQ | |
| 2023 | 4 | USLW | 4th of 6, Great Lakes (5–5–2) | DNQ | |
Historic record vs opponents edit
| Legend | |
|---|---|
| 0–0–0 | Win–loss-draw |
| 0–0 | Win–loss |
| * | No games played |
| Opponent | League | Playoffs | MI Cup | Played | Total | GF | GA | GD | Win % |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
 AFC Ann Arbor
|
3–2–1 | * | * | 6 | 3–2–1 | 9 | 11 | –2 | .583 |
 Chicago KICS
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1–0 | * | * | 1 | 1–0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 1.000 |
 Cleveland Force SC
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1–1 | * | * | 2 | 1–1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 |
 Connecticut Fusion
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* | 0–1 | * | 1 | 0–1 | 1 | 2 | –1 | .000 |
| Corktown AFC
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2–0 | 0–0–1 (1–0 PKs) | * | 3 | 2–0–1 | 11 | 7 | +4 | .833 |
| Detroit City FC
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6–0 | * | * | 6 | 6–0 | 17 | 6 | +11 | 1.000 |
| Detroit Sun FC
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4–2 | 1–0–1 (1–0 PKs) | * | 8 | 5–2–1 | 15 | 11 | +4 | .688 |
 FC Indiana
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2–0 | 1–0 | * | 3 | 3–0 | 16 | 1 | +15 | 1.000 |
| Flint City AFC
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1–3–1 | * | * | 5 | 1–3–1 | 14 | 13 | +1 | .300 |
| Fort Wayne United FC
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4–0 | * | * | 4 | 4–0 | 19 | 1 | +18 | 1.000 |
| Genesee FC
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1–0 | * | * | 1 | 1–0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 1.000 |
| Indiana Elite FC
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1–0 | * | * | 1 | 1–0 | 12 | 0 | +12 | 1.000 |
| Indiana Union[B]
|
3–1–1 | 0–1 | * | 6 | 3–2–1 | 31 | 14 | +17 | .583 |
| Indy Eleven
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0–1 | * | * | 1 | 0–1 | 0 | 1 | –1 | .000 |
| Kalamazoo FC
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3–1–1 | * | * | 5 | 3–1–1 | 13 | 7 | +6 | .700 |
 Kings Hammer FC
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1–0–1 | * | * | 2 | 1–0–1 | 3 | 0 | +3 | .750 |
 Inferno Rush
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* | 0–1 | * | 1 | 0–1 | 3 | 4 | –1 | .000 |
| Lansing United
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1–3–2 | 2–0 | * | 8 | 3–3–2 | 18 | 15 | +3 | .500 |
 Long Island Rough Riders
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* | 0–0–1 (1–0 PKs) | * | 1 | 0–0–1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 |
| Michigan Legends FC
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2–0–3 | * | * | 5 | 2–0–3 | 14 | 7 | +7 | .700 |
| Motor City FC
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* | * | 0–1 | 1 | 0–1 | 1 | 3 | –2 | .000 |
| Muskegon Risers SC
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2–0 | * | * | 2 | 2–0 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 1.000 |
| Racing Louisville FC
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0–1 | * | * | 1 | 0–1 | 2 | 3 | –1 | .000 |
 Santa Clarita Blue Heat
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* | 1–0 | * | 1 | 1–0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 1.000 |
 St. Louis Scott Gallagher SC
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* | 1–0 | * | 1 | 1–0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 1.000 |
| Toledo Villa FC
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1–0 | * | * | 1 | 1–0 | 4 | 0 | +4 | 1.000 |
| Total | 39–15–10 | 6–3–3 (3–0 PKs) | 0–1 | 77 | 45–19–13 | 231 | 114 | +117 | .700 |
- Note: Table includes all competitive matches and does not include friendlies.
- Updated to end of 2023 season.
- ^ B Indy Premier SC was renamed Indiana Union in 2019.
Player records edit
Goals edit
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Appearances edit
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- Note: Table includes all competitive matches and does not include friendlies.
- Updated to end of 2023 season
- Reference:[8]
References edit
- ^ a b "GRFC To Field Women's Team in 2017". November 1, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
- ^ a b "GRFC Announces Collaboration With Midwest United". December 24, 2019. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
- ^ "Grand Rapids FC launches women's team for 2017 season". November 1, 2016. Retrieved January 2, 2017.
- ^ "Grand Rapids FC beats Santa Clarita, captures United Women's Soccer championship".
- ^ "Grand Rapids FC makes move to a new league". December 5, 2019. Retrieved December 24, 2019.
- ^ "USL W Roster". Midwest United FC. Retrieved August 2, 2022.
- ^ "UWS Provides Update on 2020 Season". Retrieved June 11, 2020.
- ^ What If It Rains - All Time Stats