Midwest United FC is an American soccer club based in Grand Rapids, Michigan that fields teams in MLS NEXT and Elite Clubs National League and senior teams in the Great Lakes Division of USL League Two and USL W League. Midwest United FC is a youth academy affiliate of Major League Soccer club Columbus Crew.[1]
 | |||
| Founded | 1990 | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Stadium | Midwest United FC Soccer Complex Grand Rapids, Michigan | ||
| Executive Director | Lewis Robinson | ||
| Head Coach | Joe White (Women) and Luke Ruff (Men) | ||
| League | USL W League, USL League Two, MLS NEXT, Elite Clubs National League | ||
| Website | Club website | ||
History
Midwest United FC was founded in 1990 under the moniker GRASA (Grand Rapids Area Soccer Association) and was the first youth select soccer club in Grand Rapids.[2] The initial registration was 60 players from around the area and it was from these humble beginnings that Midwest United FC has evolved into one of the region's top clubs.
In 1996, Grand Valley Premier SC was formed and was the area’s only premier soccer club for the next 10 years.
In 2007, GRASA and Grand Valley Premier merged to form Grand Rapids Crew Juniors, the first junior club affiliate of MLS franchise Columbus Crew. During its time as GR Crew Juniors the club celebrated great success, earning championships at all levels, including a National Championship in 2011 for its U17 Boys.
Grand Rapids Crew Juniors rebranded to Midwest United FC in June 2015. The name was chosen as a combination of three concepts: First, ‘Midwest’ represents where we align ourselves, as our top teams compete and win all across the Midwest region. Second, we are a ‘United’ group in our mission, not just a collection of teams. Lastly, the ‘FC’ stands for Football Club, which represents the worldwide sport we play and love.[3]
Since becoming Midwest United FC in 2016, Midwest United FC celebrated another success with the U16 Girls earning the title of US Soccer Development Academy National Champions.
In 2019, the ownership of the women's side Grand Rapids FC was transferred to Midwest United FC.[4] Originally competing in United Women's Soccer, the club has since moved to USL W League. A men's team was added in 2022 to compete in USL League Two.
In 2024, the club's men's team qualified for the USL League Two playoffs for the first time since it joined the league.
Home Facility
The team's current home facility is the Midwest United FC Soccer Complex in Grand Rapids, Michigan.
Players
Notable current & former players
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- Dylan Sing (2023) now with Crown Legacy FC
- Brad Dunwell (2024-) formerly with Houston Dynamo FC, Oklahoma City Energy, Detroit City FC, Charlotte Independence
Head coaches
Joe White (2023–present, USL W League)- Luke Ruff (2023–present, USL League Two)
- Lewis Robinson (2017, 2020–2022)
- Chris Allen (2018)
- James Gilpin (2018–2019)
Honors
- Playoffs Qualifiers: 2024
- National championships (1): 2017
- Conference season championships (2)
- Conference playoff championships (3)
Minor competitions
- UWS Stadium Showcase: 2020
Year-by-year
| 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[5] | ||
| 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
| 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 | 1–0 | * | * | 1 | 1–0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 1.000 |
 Cleveland Force SC | 1–1 | * | * | 2 | 1–1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 |
 Connecticut Fusion | * | 0–1 | * | 1 | 0–1 | 1 | 2 | –1 | .000 |
| Corktown AFC | 2–0 | 0–0–1 (1–0 PKs) | * | 3 | 2–0–1 | 11 | 7 | +4 | .833 |
| Detroit City FC | 6–0 | * | * | 6 | 6–0 | 17 | 6 | +11 | 1.000 |
| Detroit Sun FC | 4–2 | 1–0–1 (1–0 PKs) | * | 8 | 5–2–1 | 15 | 11 | +4 | .688 |
 FC Indiana | 2–0 | 1–0 | * | 3 | 3–0 | 16 | 1 | +15 | 1.000 |
| Flint City AFC | 1–3–1 | * | * | 5 | 1–3–1 | 14 | 13 | +1 | .300 |
| Fort Wayne United FC | 4–0 | * | * | 4 | 4–0 | 19 | 1 | +18 | 1.000 |
| Genesee FC | 1–0 | * | * | 1 | 1–0 | 7 | 0 | +7 | 1.000 |
| Indiana Elite FC | 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 | 0–1 | * | * | 1 | 0–1 | 0 | 1 | –1 | .000 |
| Kalamazoo FC | 3–1–1 | * | * | 5 | 3–1–1 | 13 | 7 | +6 | .700 |
 Kings Hammer FC | 1–0–1 | * | * | 2 | 1–0–1 | 3 | 0 | +3 | .750 |
 Inferno Rush | * | 0–1 | * | 1 | 0–1 | 3 | 4 | –1 | .000 |
| Lansing United | 1–3–2 | 2–0 | * | 8 | 3–3–2 | 18 | 15 | +3 | .500 |
 Long Island Rough Riders | * | 0–0–1 (1–0 PKs) | * | 1 | 0–0–1 | 2 | 2 | 0 | .500 |
| Michigan Legends FC | 2–0–3 | * | * | 5 | 2–0–3 | 14 | 7 | +7 | .700 |
| Motor City FC | * | * | 0–1 | 1 | 0–1 | 1 | 3 | –2 | .000 |
| Muskegon Risers SC | 2–0 | * | * | 2 | 2–0 | 8 | 2 | +6 | 1.000 |
| Racing Louisville FC | 0–1 | * | * | 1 | 0–1 | 2 | 3 | –1 | .000 |
 Santa Clarita Blue Heat | * | 1–0 | * | 1 | 1–0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 1.000 |
 St. Louis Scott Gallagher SC | * | 1–0 | * | 1 | 1–0 | 3 | 1 | +2 | 1.000 |
| Toledo Villa FC | 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.
Player records
Appearances
| Rank | Player | Apps | Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 |  Marti Corby | 54 | 2017–2022 |
| 2 | Grace Labadie | 36 | 2017–2021 |
| 3 | Stephanie Currie | 35 | 2019– |
| 4 | Clare Carlson | 33 | 2017–2019, 2021 |
| Macey Wierenga | 2020– | ||
| 6 | Sadie Misiewicz | 32 | 2017–2020 |
| 7 | Avery Lockwood | 31 | 2017, 2020–2022 |
| Jen Blitchok | 2019– | ||
| 9 |  Paige Eli | 29 | 2017–2022 |
| 10 | Olivia Albert | 28 | 2019, 2021– |
- Note: Table includes all competitive matches and does not include friendlies.
- Updated to end of 2023 season
- Reference:[6]