After two successful seasons on the pitch, Kalamazoo FC returns for another season at Mayors Riverfront Park.

The soccer team will be playing again in the National Premier Soccer League's Great Lakes Division, a league where they formed solid rivals with Grand Rapids FC, AFC Ann Arbor and Detroit City FC.

There are many things return for this season of Kalamazoo FC, including elite level soccer from local athletes and some that make their way through world competition. Fan favorites, like goalkeeper Beau Prey, defenders Jordan Veillette and Spencer MacDonald (all from Kalamazoo College), and forward Nick King (Bucknell), all return this season.

There are other local players joining the squad for the first time. Plainwell natives Johnathan Nord (Kalamazoo College) and Luke Morrell (attending Oakland University next year) will wear the Purple and Teal, along with Portage goalie Hasten Biddlecome (Wheaton College) and Mattawan goalkeeper Elijah Michaels (Western Michigan) who are back for their second seasons.

The biggest change for KZFC is their look on the field, as they introduced new home uniforms (or kits) in March. The team wore teal shirts for their home matches and purple on the road. Their home uniform still has teal, but now has the other colors of their crest - black and white.

Some of the other changes for the Teals are very small. One is the change on the bench as Brian Clements takes over as the head coach for Lumumba Shabazz, who coached the first two seasons of the club. Clements has been an assistant the last two years with Shabazz, who also is the head coach at Kalamazoo College.

The other change is a plus, as Kalamazoo FC currently has nine home games scheduled at Mayors Riverfront Park. There is room for a tenth game but it depends on the results of their first leg of the Michigan Milk Cup, an eight-team tournament that involves teams in the state for a chance to promote and support the United Dairy Industry of Michigan.

Here's the 2018 Kalamazoo FC schedule (subject to change).
* - signifies National Premier Soccer League games

Sunday, May 6th - vs. Southwest Michigan All-Stars - 5:30pm
Friday, May 11th - vs. FC Indiana - 7pm*
Sunday, May 13th - vs. Force FC (Michigan Milk Cup - Leg 1-Game 1) - 5:30pm
Friday, May 18th - @ Force FC (Michigan Milk Cup - Leg 1-Game 2) - 7pm
Sunday, May 20th - vs. Milwaukee Torrent - 5:30pm*
Friday, May 25th - vs. AFC Ann Arbor - 7pm*
Monday, May 28th - @ FC Columbus - 3pm*

Friday, June 1st - @ Milwaukee Torrent - 8pm*
Sunday, June 3rd - @ Grand Rapids FC - 6pm*
Sunday, June 10th - vs. Grand Rapids FC - 5:30pm*
Friday, June 15th - @ AFC Ann Arbor - 7pm*
Sunday, June 17th - vs. FC Columbus - 5:30pm*
Saturday, June 23rd - @ Detroit City FC - 7:30pm*
Friday, June 29th - @ FC Indiana - 7pm*
Saturday, June 30th - vs. Livonia City FC - 2:30pm

Saturday, July 7th - vs. Detroit City FC - 7pm*

Single game tickets are available before the game or at the gate. There are also season tickets that are still available.

Lastly, stay connected to our website for recaps of their games this season and on their website - kalamazoofc.net.

Here was my chat with owner of Kalamazoo FC Mike Garrett during the team's open house in March!

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