2018 Grand Rapids FC season
| 2018 season | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Coach | Lewis Robinson | |||
| Stadium | Houseman Field | |||
| NPSL | 2nd - Great Lakes | |||
| NPSL Playoffs | Regional First Round | |||
| Top goalscorer | Matt Whelan (8) | |||
|
| ||||
The 2018 Grand Rapids FC season was the fourth season of Grand Rapids Football Club and its third season in the National Premier Soccer League. GRFC competed in the Great Lakes Conference of the Midwest Region.[1][2]
Season recap[edit]
Grand Rapids FC started its 12-game NPSL schedule by traveling to the Milwaukee Torrent, a game in which they tied, 2–2.[3] Following a win against FC Indiana[4] and a home win against Milwaukee,[5] GRFC faced the defending conference champion, AFC Ann Arbor, at home. They lost this game, 0–2.[6][7] GRFC would then win its next three games to find themselves in second place in the Great Lakes Conference at the midway point, behind only AFC Ann Arbor.[8][9][10][11][not in citation given]
Concurrent with the first half of the NPSL campaign, Grand Rapids FC competed in the Michigan Milk Cup, a tournament that featured eight Michigan clubs, for a prize of $5,000.[12] GRFC defeated Muskegon Risers SC twice in the first round to advance by an aggregate score of 5–3.[13][14] They were then drawn to face Lansing United away in the semifinals. They lost in a shootout, 3–4, after drawing, 1–1.[12]
The final five games of the NPSL season were all played against the other top four teams in the conference, and all of these teams were competing for the conference's two berths in the NPSL playoffs.[citation needed] It began with a loss at home to FC Columbus in their first ever match-up.[15][16] They followed up this loss with victories away at Detroit City FC and at home against AFC Ann Arbor.[17][18][19] The next game was a defeat at FC Columbus, which left huge implications riding on the final game of the season.[20][21][neutrality is disputed] With a win at home against Detroit City FC, GRFC would assure themselves a playoff berth, but with a tie or loss they would need help.[22][neutrality is disputed] In a high scoring final match, GRFC would draw with Detroit, 4–4, which meant they had to wait for the final week of the season for their playoff fate to be determined.[23][24] Columbus had three games remaining: two against last place Indiana and their season finale at Milwaukee. Three wins would mean Columbus made the playoffs, and anything less meant GRFC was in.[25] Columbus defeated Indiana twice before losing to Milwaukee, 0–1, which meant GRFC qualified for the postseason as the runner up of the Great Lakes Conference.[26]
In the postseason, GRFC traveled to Duluth, Minnesota to take on Duluth FC. Grand Rapids fell behind, 0–2, before scoring two goals in the final seven minutes to draw level at 2–2. After a scoreless extra time, GRFC fell in a shootout, 3–4.[27][28]
Club[edit]
Roster[edit]
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: 
Lewis Robinson[32]
Competitions[edit]
Preseason[edit]
| April 21, 2018 | Grand Rapids FC | 3–1 | Grand Valley State Lakers | Grandville, Michigan |
| 19:30 EDT | Mena  45+1' Broekhuizen 49' Rodriguez 88' |
59' |
Stadium: Grandville High School |
| April 27, 2018 | Grand Rapids FC | 2–3 | Aquinas Saints | Grandville, Michigan |
| 19:30 EDT | Mena 35' Rodriguez 80' |
23' 45' Calebrese 90' |
Stadium: Grandville High School |
| May 4, 2018 | Grand Rapids FC | 4–3 | Livonia City FC | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 19:30 EDT | Mendez 5' Howell 26' Groenewold 30' Swiech 87' |
[33] | 4' 86' 90' |
Stadium: Houseman Field |
National Premier Soccer League[edit]
Great Lakes Conference Standings[edit]
| Pos | Team | Pld | W | L | T | GF | GA | GD | Pts | Qualification |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | AFC Ann Arbor (C, Q) | 12 | 9 | 1 | 2 | 31 | 4 | +27 | 29 | Midwest Region Semifinal |
| 2 | Grand Rapids FC (Q) | 12 | 7 | 3 | 2 | 29 | 14 | +15 | 23 | Midwest Region Quarterfinal |
| 3 | FC Columbus | 12 | 6 | 4 | 2 | 27 | 11 | +16 | 20 | |
| 4 | Detroit City FC | 12 | 5 | 4 | 3 | 36 | 15 | +21 | 18 | |
| 5 | Kalamazoo FC | 12 | 4 | 5 | 3 | 22 | 25 | −3 | 15 | |
| 6 | Milwaukee Torrent | 12 | 3 | 5 | 4 | 17 | 22 | −5 | 13 | |
| 7 | FC Indiana | 12 | 0 | 12 | 0 | 4 | 75 | −71 | 0 |
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. If three or more teams are tied on points, a mini-table involving only the tied teams is used, and teams are ranked in the mini-table on points. If two teams are tied on points in the mini-table, the two-team rules for classification apply. If three or more teams are tied on points in the mini-table, they are ranked based on 1) wins in conference competition; 2) total goal differential in conference competition; 3) fewest losses in conference competition; 4) coin toss.
(C) Champion; (Q) Qualified to the phase indicated.
Regular Season[edit]
| May 11, 2018 NPSL 1 | Milwaukee Torrent | 0–0 | Grand Rapids FC | Wauwatosa, Wisconsin |
| 19:00 CDT | Raymonds  30' Biek 37' Rey 90' |
Boxscore | Postlewait 52' Whelan 81' Deakin 81' |
Stadium: Hart Park |
| May 18, 2018 NPSL 2 | FC Indiana | 0–4 | Grand Rapids FC | Lafayette, Indiana |
| 19:00 EDT | R. Ruiz 69' |
Boxscore | Whelan 29' Bowie 31' Postlewait 65' Groenewold 84' |
Stadium: Legacy Sports Club |
| May 27, 2018 NPSL 3 | Grand Rapids FC | 2–1 | Milwaukee Torrent | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 18:00 EDT | Whelan 11' Howell 54' Rodriguez 89' |
Boxscore | Pereyra 43' Bobadilla 69' |
Stadium: Houseman Field |
| June 1, 2018 NPSL 4 | AFC Ann Arbor | 2–0 | Grand Rapids FC | Ypsilanti, Michigan |
| 18:00 EDT | Shaikly 21' Montoya 25' Liadi 44' Ybarra 68' Okumu 73' Cawley 88' |
Boxscore Recap[6] |
VanderLaan 25' Deakin 58' |
Stadium: Scicluna Field |
| June 3, 2018 NPSL 5 | Grand Rapids FC | 5–0 | Kalamazoo FC | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 18:00 EDT | Doney 28', 56' 31' Postlewait 40' Groenewold 78' O'Riordan 88' Geldenhuys 90' |
Boxscore | Abary 83' |
Stadium: Houseman Field Referee: Nick Balcer |
| June 8, 2018 NPSL 6 | Grand Rapids FC | 6–0 | FC Indiana | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 19:30 EDT | Boxscore Recap[8] |
Mendez 9' Atheba 31' Whelan 43', 45', 52' McCarren 47' Conerty 55' |
Stadium: Houseman Field |
| June 10, 2018 NPSL 7 | Kalamazoo FC | 2–3 | Grand Rapids FC | Kalamazoo, Michigan |
| 17:30 EDT | King 14' Duran 45' 86' Morrell 75' |
Boxscore Recap[34] |
Doney 19' Kettle 42' Howell 68' Groenewold 84' O'Riordan 90+2' |
Stadium: Soisson-Rapacz-Clason Field |
| June 15, 2018 NPSL 8 | Grand Rapids FC | 0–3 | FC Columbus | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 19:30 EDT | Doney 77' |
Boxscore Recap[20][15] |
Camara 3', 28' Armstrong 59' Chilton 84' |
Stadium: Houseman Field |
| June 17, 2018 NPSL 9 | Detroit City FC | 0–2 | Grand Rapids FC | Hamtramck, Michigan |
| 17:00 EDT | Garcia 45' Harris 90' |
Boxscore Recap[17] |
Cavanagh 31' Groenewold 45' Deakin 58' Doney 73' 90' Kamara 90' |
Stadium: Keyworth Stadium Attendance: 5,077 |
| June 22, 2018 NPSL 10 | Grand Rapids FC | 2–0 | AFC Ann Arbor | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 19:30 EDT | Howell 2' Bowie 59' Whelan 86' Kamara 90' |
Boxscore | Cawley 10' Liadi 27' Nojueira 71' |
Stadium: Houseman Field |
| June 24, 2018 NPSL 11 | FC Columbus | 2–1 | Grand Rapids FC | Grandview Heights, Ohio |
| 15:00 EDT | Bailey 13' 17' Armstrong  17' Diallo 70' Camara 84' Singbah 90' |
Boxscore Recap[20] |
Sutton 82' Fazekas 90' |
Stadium: Grandview Heights High School |
| June 29, 2018 NPSL 12 | Grand Rapids FC | 4–4 | Detroit City FC | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 19:30 EDT | Whelan 5', 63' Doney 45' Cavanagh 66' Postlewait 78' Fazekas 78' |
Preview[22][35] Boxscore Recap[25][23][36] |
Svehlik 15' Lawson 52', 62' Moyes 73' Amann 90' |
Stadium: Houseman Field |
Playoffs[edit]
| July 14, 2018 Regional quarterfinal | Duluth FC | 2–2 (a.e.t.) (4–3 p) | Grand Rapids FC | Duluth, Minnesota |
| 19:00 CDT | Villegas 27' Tyrer 46'Rice 51' |
Boxscore Recap[27][37] |
McCarren 32' Whelan 68'Whelan 83'Howell 90' |
Stadium: Denfeld High School |
| Penalties | ||||
Castro  Ramos Hill Rice  Farrar |
Postlewait Howell Fazekas Vegter Broekhuizen |
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Michigan Milk Cup[edit]
| May 19, 2018 Quarterfinal Leg 1 | Grand Rapids FC | 1–0 | Muskegon Risers SC | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 19:30 EDT | Rodriguez 40' |
Recap[13] | Stadium: Houseman Field |
| May 25, 2018 Quarterfinal Leg 2 | Muskegon Risers SC | 3–4 (3–5 agg.) | Grand Rapids FC | Muskegon, Michigan |
| 19:30 EDT | Zukic 36', 45' 45' |
Recap[14] | Cavanagh 7' Rodriguez 26' Doney 60' Kamara 72' |
Stadium: Monsignor Kehren Stadium |
| June 6, 2018 Semifinal | Lansing United | 1–1 (a.e.t.) (4–3 p) | Grand Rapids FC | East Lansing, Michigan |
| 19:00 EDT | Sokalski 29' Ruddock 56' Jones [38] 88' Wright 96' |
Geldenhuys 3' 35' Rodriguez 101' |
Stadium: East Lansing Soccer Complex | |
| Penalties | ||||
| Jones Carr Storm Jones White |
Groenewold McCarren Postlewait Cavanagh O'Riordan |
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Friendlies[edit]
| August 18, 2018 | Grand Rapids FC  | 4–1 |  Club Xelajú MC | Grand Rapids, Michigan |
| 19:30 EDT | Doney 18' Mendez 23'Ifaturoti 38'Deakin 59' |
37' |
Stadium: Houseman Field |
Statistics[improper synthesis?][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.
Reference: Game boxscores
References[edit]
- ↑ Wallner, Peter J. (Feb 1, 2018). "Grand Rapids FC release 2018 National Premier Soccer League schedule". mlive.com. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ "Grand Rapids FC". us.soccerway.com. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ "Game report – Milwaukee Torrent v Grand Rapids FC". NPSL.com. National Premier Soccer League. May 11, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ↑ "Game report – FC Indiana v Grand Rapids FC". NPSL.com. National Premier Soccer League. May 18, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ↑ "Game report – Grand Rapids FC v Milwaukee Torrent". NPSL.com. National Premier Soccer League. May 27, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ↑ 6.0 6.1 O'Connor, Larry (June 1, 2018). "Detroit City FC opens floodgates in 8-0 home victory over FC Indiana". detroitnews.com. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ "Game report – AFC Ann Arbor v Grand Rapids FC". NPSL.com. National Premier Soccer League. June 1, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ↑ 8.0 8.1 "GRFC dominates FC Indiana at Houseman Field". Wood TV. June 8, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
- ↑ "Game report – Grand Rapids FC v Kalamazoo FC". NPSL.com. National Premier Soccer League. June 3, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ↑ "Game report – Grand Rapids FC v FC Indiana". NPSL.com. National Premier Soccer League. June 8, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ↑ "Game report – Kalamazoo FC v Grand Rapids FC". NPSL.com. National Premier Soccer League. June 10, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ↑ 12.0 12.1 O'Connor, Larry (July 4, 2018). "Undermanned Lansing United hoists Michigan Milk Cup". Detroit News. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
- ↑ 13.0 13.1 "GRFC tops Muskegon in teams' first matchup". woodtv.com. May 19, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ 14.0 14.1 "GRFC comes back to beat Muskegon". woodtv.com. May 26, 2018. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ 15.0 15.1 "GRFC drops game against FC Columbus". Wood TV. June 15, 2018. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
- ↑ "Game report – Grand Rapids FC v FC Columbus". NPSL.com. National Premier Soccer League. June 15, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ↑ 17.0 17.1 O'Connor, Larry (June 17, 2018). "DCFC's postseason hopes dealt blow with loss to Grand Rapids FC". Detroit News. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
- ↑ "Game report – Detroit City FC v Grand Rapids FC". NPSL.com. National Premier Soccer League. June 17, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ↑ "Game report – Grand Rapids FC v AFC Ann Arbor". NPSL.com. National Premier Soccer League. June 22, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ↑ 20.0 20.1 20.2 FC Columbus (June 25, 2018). "FC Columbus Defeats Grand Rapids FC 2-1". BayArea Premier Soccer FC. Retrieved June 27, 2018.
- ↑ "Game report – FC Columbus v Grand Rapids FC". NPSL.com. National Premier Soccer League. June 24, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ↑ 22.0 22.1 McDonald, Andrew (June 27, 2018). "GR Football Club's playoff hopes hang on last game". Wood TV 8. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ↑ 23.0 23.1 Wallner, Peter J. (June 29, 2018). "Grand Rapids FC's postseason fate uncertain after stunning late goal". mLive. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ↑ "Game report – Grand Rapids FC v Detroit City FC". NPSL.com. National Premier Soccer League. June 29, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ↑ 25.0 25.1 McDonald, Andrew (June 29, 2018). "Playoff chances out of GRFC's control after loss". Wood TV 8. Retrieved June 30, 2018.
- ↑ Bryan Giese (July 9, 2018). "Torrent Men Win Season Finale". Milwaukee Torrent. Retrieved September 1, 2018.
- ↑ 27.0 27.1 Nothaft, Patrick (July 15, 2018). "Grand Rapids FC season ends with heartbreaking shootout loss to Duluth". mLive. Retrieved July 15, 2018.
- ↑ "Game report – Duluth FC vs Grand Rapids FC". NPSL.com. National Premier Soccer League. July 14, 2018. Retrieved September 12, 2018.
- ↑ "Grand Rapids FC – Grand Rapids FC". GrandRapidsFC.com. Retrieved April 20, 2018.
- ↑ "Grand Rapids FC re-signs Grand Haven native Vanderlaan". grandhaventribune.com. Jan 10, 2018. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
- ↑ Wallner, Peter J. (May 18, 2018). "Get to know 2018 Grand Rapids FC with photos and bios". mlive.com. Retrieved June 8, 2018.
- ↑ Wallner, Peter J. (Sep 20, 2017). "Lewis Robinson shifts over to become coach of Grand Rapids FC men". mlive.com. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ Peter J. Wallner (May 5, 2018). "Grand Rapids FC gets big first half to win opener at Houseman Field". mlive.com. Retrieved June 6, 2018.
- ↑ JASON HUTTON (June 10, 2018). "Late penalty kick lifts GRFC to win over KZFC". Fox 17. Retrieved June 20, 2018.
- ↑ Peter J. Wallner (June 28, 2018). "Grand Rapids FC standout hopes past success repeats against rival". mLive. Retrieved June 28, 2018.
- ↑ Sean Spence (July 2, 2018). "Going Down Fighting: Detroit City 4, Grand Rapids FC 4". NPSL. Retrieved July 4, 2018.
- ↑ Mariah Janos (July 15, 2018). "Duluth FC Backup Goalie Leads Team to Playoff Victory". Fox 21. Retrieved July 17, 2018.
- ↑ Graham Couch (June 23, 2018). "Michigan State, Lansing United star DeJuan Jones closing in on MLS dreamMichigan State, Lansing United star DeJuan Jones closing in on MLS dream". Lansing State Journal. Retrieved June 24, 2018.
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