GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. — Midwest United FC, Grand Rapids' United Soccer League Two club, is heading to the playoffs after a historic regular season.
"Won 10 games, got 31 points, which is one of the highest that came from the area, and just super happy to continue to play," said head coach Luke Ruff.
The club placed second in United Soccer League Two's Great Lakes division. The team's 31 points are the most in its three-year history.
"I think we've kept a collective core together, been able to add some really good experience this past year," said Ruff. "a lot of our talented Academy players that play in our MLS next program have been able to come up and really showcase what they've got."
"I think it's just the day in and day out performance on the field and the quality that we have during practice," said goalkeeper Jonathan Kliewer.
The team has relied heavily on its young core throughout this historic season.
Midwest United FC is a youth academy affiliate of Major League Soccer's Columbus crew.
29 of the team's player either attend college or currently work jobs in the West Michigan area. 16 of the team's players were born in the area.
"The first year we had, like a very young squad, a lot of the players wasn't in the college yet," said center back Ben Adamson. "They're physical...stronger, faster, more technical...the standard of training from the very first day was already like miles different from the very first summer."
Coach Ruff has been with the team since its inception and has seen firsthand the growth of the franchise's roster, resources, and coaching.
"Just gaining the experience of being in the league, being around higher level players, putting a lot of faith in the staff to be able to make decisions and give input in key moments the season," said Ruff when asked about how he's improved over three seasons with the club.
Midwest United's central region bracket includes eight teams. United will play Fort Wayne F.C. on Friday at 4 p.m. The winner moves on to play either the Flint City Bucks or Cleveland Force SC.
"We just need to play our strengths well, do good in what we do well," said Kliewer. "I think we just need to take our chances when we're in front of goal and put them away early."
"Stay true to who we are, " said captain and center midfielder Brad Dunwell. "We have the pieces, we have the talent, we have the camaraderie, we have the organization."
I think it's going to come down to just whether or not we execute, whether or not we show up on the day.