Pro Level Soccer in Berkley!

FC Buffalo's #21 Bobby Ross prepares to inbound the ball!

     Last Friday night, professional soccer returned to the city of Berkley for a National Premier Soccer league (NPSL) matchup featuring FC Buffalo against FC Sparta.  This is the inaugural season in the NPSL for FC Sparta; last year they played in Windsor, and were known as the Windsor FC Spartans.  FC Sparta competes in the NPSL's Flights Great Lakes Division against five other clubs along with local rival Detroit City FC.  Detroit City FC plays their home games just down the road at Cass Tech High School in Detroit, and is currently in first place in the NPSL's Great Lakes Division with 21 points, and an overall record of 7-0.  Entering Friday nights contest, FC Sparta was in fourth place in the NPSL's Great Lakes Division with 8 points, and an overall record of 2-5-2.

FC Sparta plays their home games at Hurley Field in Berkley, Michigan!

     FC Buffalo entered Friday nights contest in second place in the NPSL's Great Lakes Division with 18 points and an overall record of 6-1-0.  FC Buffalo took control from the get go, scoring early and often against FC Sparta, shutting them out in a 4-0 final.  Asani Samuels scored a goal and was virtually unstoppable for FC Buffalo, proving why he is an emerging star in the NPSL, and in the world of soccer. 

Asani Samuels blows by FC Sparta defenders before scoring FC Buffalo's second goal of the game!

     Although it has been a struggle at times on the field for FC Sparta this season, I would encourage fans to come check out a game.  General admission was only $5.00, and if the economy has got you feeling frugal, you can view the game from a lawn chair outside the stadium until the ticket vendor leaves (usually at half time).  The food at the concession stands was also really good, and reasonably priced.  If the weather is nice, it's a better option to spend sometime outdoors before summer slips away.  Finally, it's important to support our local professional sports teams or they will simply vanish from existence (see Top Ten Dormant Mitten State Franchises posted on May 3rd, 2013).


     Be sure to check out FC Sparta in their next home game against AFC Cleveland this Sunday night (7:00) at Hurley Field in Berkley.  Hurley Field is located at 48072 Robina, near 11 mile road, and Greenfield road.

Asani Samuels (the tall guy on the right) is an emerging star in the NPSL, and in the world of soccer!

For more information on FC Sparta click on  fcspartamichigan.com/




For more information on the NPSL click on  www.npsl.info/




Leave a comment!  Email the Mitten State Sports Report at mittenstatesportsreport@rocketmail.com