2016 Grand Rapids FC season
| 2016 season | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Coach | George Moni | ||
| Stadium | Houseman Field[1] | ||
| NPSL | 1st - Great Lakes West | ||
| NPSL Playoffs | Regional Final | ||
| Top goalscorer | League: Scott Doney (4) All: Scott Doney (6) | ||
| Highest home attendance | 6,912 (July 22 vs. Indy Eleven NPSL) | ||
| Average home league attendance | League: 4,784 All: 4,315 | ||
|
| |||
The 2016 Grand Rapids FC season was the second season of Grand Rapids Football Club, its first since moving to the National Premier Soccer League.[2][3][4][5]
It competed in the Great Lakes West Conference of the Midwest Region, along with five other Michigan teams and Dayton Dynamo for a total of 12 league games. Friendlies against Ole SC[6], Oakland County FC, Force FC and Muskegon Risers completed the schedule.
The season started off with Peter Brown scoring after just 48 seconds of GRFC's first NPSL match in Pontiac against Michigan Stars, only for the hosts to equalize before half-time.
The return match a week later was another close affair, Peter Brown again credited with an early goal, although his shot hit the post and went in off a defender's clearance. Noah Fazekas kept the club's first NPSL clean sheet.
Memorial Day saw the club travel to Ann Arbor, where they succumbed to a 3-1 loss, Greg Timmer grabbing a late consolation goal.
That was the first of three consecutive away games. Scott Doney had the visitors ahead early in Lansing, but the hosts equalized just seconds after the break.[7]
Two direct free kicks from Lito Esquivel were the difference between the sides in the trip to Kalamazoo.
Detroit City visited Houseman Field for the homecoming. They grabbed an early lead, which was wiped out by two Scott Doney markers. Tyler Fischer added a third from a Trent Vegter long throw. Detroit pulled one back early in the second, but two goals from Joe Broekhuizen completed an emphatic victory. A club league record 6,122 watched the match, the second largest attendance in NPSL regular season history (the record at the time was 7,140 at Detroit's opener against Ann Arbor on May 20).[8][9]
The next home match ended in a disappointing 2-2 result against Kalamazoo, the visitors twice took the lead only for GRFC to equalize.
A lone Scott Doney goal in the first half was enough to take three points from Dayton in the sole trip outside Michigan.
At their last away game of the season, a Noah Fazekas penalty save earned GRFC a point in a goalless stalemate against Detroit City.
A single goal from Tyler Fischer completed the double over Dayton, the first 'season sweep' for GRFC in league action. Combined with a defeat by Ann Arbor against Detroit, the result was enough to put GRFC top of the table for the first time in their history, with two games remaining.
In the top of the table match on July 8, AFC Ann Arbor went ahead in the first minute of the second half, but through goals by Jared Timmer, Noble Sullivan and Gabe Mateo the hosts celebrated 1st place in the Great Lakes West and a playoff matchup with Indy Eleven NPSL. The match was watched by a club record 6,854 spectators.
After the regular season was wrapped up with an effective dead rubber against Lansing United, the NPSL Midwest Regional Championship was hosted at Houseman Field.
In front of a further record attendance of 6,912, GRFC edged past Indy Eleven NPSL 1-0 thanks to another Noble Sullivan goal, but were unable to find a goal against AFC Cleveland in the final, losing on penalties 1-3 after 120 minutes of scoreless play.[10]
Great Lakes West champions, and Midwest region runners-up in their first NPSL season.
Club[edit]
Roster[edit]
[11][12] Note: Flags indicate national team as defined under FIFA eligibility rules. Players may hold more than one non-FIFA nationality.
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Team management[edit]
Head Coach: 
George Moni
Competitions[edit]
Preseason[edit]
| April 15, 2016 | Grand Valley State Lakers Club | 0–2 | Grand Rapids FC | Allendale, Michigan |
| 19:00 EDT | Report | J.Broekhuizen  4' Fischer 46' |
Stadium: Grand Valley State University |
| April 22, 2016 | Hope Flying Dutchmen | 1–0 | Grand Rapids FC | Holland, Michigan |
| 19:00 EDT | White 25' |
Stadium: Van Andel Stadium |
| April 29, 2016 | Aquinas Saints | 0–5 | Grand Rapids FC | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 19:00 EDT | Fischer 8' Groenewold 47' J.Broekhuizen 51', 77' 86' (o.g.) |
Stadium: Aquinas College |
National Premier Soccer League[edit]
Great Lakes West Conference Standings[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Grand Rapids FC (C, Q) | 12 | 7 | 1 | 4 | 21 | 11 | +10 | 25 | 2016 NPSL Midwest Region playoffs |
| 2 | AFC Ann Arbor (Q) | 12 | 6 | 3 | 3 | 19 | 16 | +3 | 21 | |
| 3 | Michigan Stars FC | 12 | 5 | 3 | 4 | 17 | 13 | +4 | 19 | |
| 4 | Lansing United | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 16 | 14 | +2 | 16 | |
| 5 | Detroit City FC | 12 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 24 | 21 | +3 | 16 | |
| 6 | Kalamazoo FC | 12 | 4 | 6 | 2 | 12 | 15 | −3 | 14 | |
| 7 | Dayton Dynamo | 12 | 1 | 10 | 1 | 8 | 27 | −19 | 4 |
Rules for classification: 1) points; 2) head to head; 3) goal differential in head to head results; 4) wins; 5) total goal differential; 6) fewest losses; 7) coin toss
(C) Champion; (Q) Qualified to the phase indicated.
Regular Season[edit]
| May 20, 2016 NPSL 1 | Michigan Stars FC | 1–1 | Grand Rapids FC | Pontiac, Michigan |
| 19:00 EDT | McWoods 35' |
Brown 1' Esquivel  45' H. Barone  75' |
Stadium: Wisner Stadium Attendance: 80 |
| May 27, 2016 NPSL 2 | Grand Rapids FC | 1–0 | Michigan Stars FC | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 19:45 EDT | Coombs 4' (o.g.) (credited in NPSL stats to Brown) Konbloa 28' J.Broekhuizen 64' Groenewold 69' |
Report | Roth 44' Amez 69' |
Stadium: Houseman Field Attendance: 3,192 |
| May 30, 2016 NPSL 3 | AFC Ann Arbor | 3–1 | Grand Rapids FC | Ann Arbor, Michigan |
| 13:00 EDT | Farkas 13' Eckenrode 34' Dario 45' Windster 80' |
Groenewold 45+' Deakin 61' VanderLaan 71' G.Timmer 88' |
Stadium: Hollway Field |
| June 3, 2016 NPSL 4 | Lansing United | 1–1 | Grand Rapids FC | Lansing, Michigan |
| 19:00 EDT | Muszong 41' Stoneman 44' DeCosemo 46' Caccavo 69'  90' |
Doney 13' J.Broekhuizen 67' |
Stadium: Archer Stadium Attendance: 804 |
| June 5, 2016 NPSL 5 | Kalamazoo FC | 0–2 | Grand Rapids FC | Kalamazoo, Michigan |
| 18:05 EDT | Agredo 41' Thomas 81' |
J.Broekhuizen 34' Esquivel 30', 42' Sweet 90+3' |
Stadium: Soisson-Rapacz-Clason Field Attendance: 1,520 |
| June 10, 2016 NPSL 6 | Grand Rapids FC | 5–2 | Detroit City FC | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 19:45 EDT | Doney 20', 23' Fischer 43' J.Broekhuizen 67', 74' |
Adkins 13' Edwardson 25' 59' Nason 40' |
Stadium: Houseman Field Attendance: 6,122 |
| June 17, 2016 NPSL 7 | Grand Rapids FC | 2–2 | Kalamazoo FC | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 19:45 EDT | M.Barone 47' Deakin 58' J.Broekhuizen 61' |
Cisse 23' 84' Agredo 37' Thomas 38' Bye 53' |
Stadium: Houseman Field Attendance: 4,639 |
| June 19, 2016 NPSL 8 | Dayton Dynamo | 0–1 | Grand Rapids FC | Dayton, Ohio |
| 14:00 EDT | Schoonderwoerd 27' Hansson 44' |
Doney 19' |
Stadium: Welcome Stadium Attendance: ~80 |
| July 1, 2016 NPSL 9 | Detroit City FC | 0–0 | Grand Rapids FC | Hamtramck, Michigan |
| 19:30 EDT | Watson 36' Schewee 70' |
Deakin 49' Fischer 72' |
Stadium: Keyworth Stadium Attendance: 5,024 |
| July 3, 2016 NPSL 10 | Grand Rapids FC | 1–0 | Dayton Dynamo | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 17:00 EDT | Fischer 32' |
Johnson 69' |
Stadium: Houseman Field Attendance: 3,127 |
| July 8, 2016 NPSL 11 | Grand Rapids FC | 3–1 | AFC Ann Arbor | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 19:45 EDT | M.Barone 21' J.Timmer 57' Sullivan 75' Mateo 90+1' |
Rumbold 16' 46' Suarez 79' Johnson 83' |
Stadium: Houseman Field Attendance: 6,854 |
| July 15, 2016 NPSL 12 | Grand Rapids FC | 3–1 | Lansing United | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 19:45 EDT | Vegter 8' Konbloa 13' Fischer 20' Timmer 49' Moni 67' Zukic 90+2' |
DeCosemo 13' Cawley 28' |
Stadium: Houseman Field Attendance: 3,977 |
Playoffs[edit]
| July 22, 2016 Regional semifinal | Grand Rapids FC | 1–0 | Indy Eleven NPSL | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 19:30 EDT | Timmer 51' Sullivan 70' |
Soto 75' Schmitt 89' |
Stadium: Houseman Field Attendance: 6,912 |
| July 23, 2016 Regional final | Grand Rapids FC | 0–0 (a.e.t.) (1–3 p) | AFC Cleveland | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 19:30 EDT | Deakin 101' H. Barone 112' |
Manfut 64' Suljevic 84' |
Stadium: Houseman Field Attendance: 3,451 | |
| Penalties | ||||
Esquivel  Fischer VanderLaan  G.Timmer |
Suljevic Derezic Jordan |
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Friendlies[edit]
| May 6, 2016 | Grand Rapids FC | 3–0 | Ole SC | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 19:45 EDT | M.Barone 11' Deakin 26' Fischer 30' 42' VanDoorne 43' H.Barone 74' |
Report | Aariaza 7' Briseno 30' Mendez 60' |
Stadium: Houseman Field Attendance: 5,448 |
| May 14, 2016 | Grand Rapids FC | 1–0 | Muskegon Risers SC | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 19:45 EDT | G.Timmer 7' DeWalt 39' |
Collins 34' |
Stadium: Houseman Field Attendance: 3,260 |
| May 22, 2016 | Grand Rapids FC | 5–0 | Oakland County FC | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 17:00 EDT | Barnsley 29' Doney 33', 36' Sullivan 54' G.Timmer 74' |
Stadium: Houseman Field Attendance: 2,811 |
| June 11, 2016 | Grand Rapids FC | 5–1 | Force FC | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 19:45 EDT | Sweet 28' Sullivan 49', 52' S.Broekhuizen 61' Hoover 62' |
Ginez 26' 36' |
Stadium: Houseman Field Attendance: 1,988 |
| June 29, 2016 | Ole SC | 0–5 | Grand Rapids FC | Wyoming, Michigan |
| 19:00 EDT | Hoover 5' Mateo 25', 45' H.Barone 56' S.Broekhuizen 74' |
Stadium: Lee Field |
| October 8, 2016 | Grand Rapids FC  | 10–1 |  Aurora United FC | Comstock Park, Michigan |
| 19:00 EDT | M.Barone 20', ?' Zukic 22' Fischer 27' Van Slooten 39', ?' Pantoja 44' Abdoo ?' Mateo ?' Broekhuizen ?' |
[13][14] | 9 ?' |
Stadium: Fifth Third Ballpark |
Statistics[edit]
Goals[edit]
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Appearances[edit]
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Updated to end of season
Note: These are the goal scorers and appearances in competitive matches and does not include friendlies.
References[edit]
- ↑ Chris Kivlehan. "Grand Rapids FC Is Laying The Groundwork For Growth". Midfield Press. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ Pat Evans (February 19, 2016). "Soccer team's next gooooooal is to keep growing". grbj.com. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ Phil Cantor (April 14, 2016). "2016 NPSL Preview: Grand Rapids FC". SportsBlog. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ Steve Fox (March 10, 2016). "GRFC soccer team explodes onto the scene in Midtown's Houseman Field". The Rapidian. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ Steve Fox (March 21, 2016). "Grand Army organizing for another season supporting soccer in Grand Rapids". The Rapidian. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ Peter J. Wallner (May 6, 2016). "Grand Rapids FC coach George Moni evaluates season opener". mlive. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ "Lansing United plays Grand Rapids FC to 1-1 tie". Lansing State Journal. June 3, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ Dohaeng (February 16, 2017). "Grand Rapids FC vs Detroit". dohaeng.com. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ Peter J. Wallner (June 11, 2016). "Grand Rapids FC takes down Detroit City FC in a romp". mlive. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ "Why Families are Loving Grand Rapids FC". grkids.com. July 18, 2016. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ http://grandrapidsfc.com/team/grand-rapids-fc/
- ↑ Peter J. Wallner (July 7, 2016). "Grand Rapids FC players work for a living, but live to play soccer". mlive. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ "Futbol at the Ballpark". fifththirdballpark.com. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ Pat Evans (May 2, 2016). "Grand Rapids FC partners with Whitecaps". grbj.com. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
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