Michigan Rangers FC Joins the NPSL

The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the only league designated by USASA as a Tier 1 national league, is proud to announce that Michigan Rangers FC (Grand Rapids, MI) has joined the league as an expansion team.  The club will begin play in 2023.

“The NPSL is pleased to announce a team in Grand Rapids,”NPSL Managing Director Cindy Spera said. “This market has an affinity for this level of the game and is thirsty to have a hometown team in the area.  The club is engaged deep within the community and will provide a great entertainment option for fans.  The Rangers name is an established and prominent soccer brand that intends to grow even stronger under the NPSL banner.”  

The club will be led by Stuart Collins, Dean Muckle, Chris Denham, and Caitlin Winterbottom.

Collins is the current head coach and general manager of Michigan Rangers FC NPSL and executive director of coaching of Michigan Rangers FC.  He is the current head assistant coach at Davenport University and led the Muskegon Risers to a regional title and the NPSL national semifinals in 2022.

“We are committed to forming a team full of talented players with an attractive style of play that both we and the NPSL can be proud of,” Collins said.  

Muckle is the current head assistant soccer coach of Michigan Rangers FC NPSL and soccer operations manager/phase director of Michigan Rangers FC.  He has coached on the regional and national level at the youth soccer level and was the head assistant coach of Muskegon Risers during the 2022 season.

Denham is the current game-day operations manager for the Michigan Rangers NPSL and foundation phase, Juniors Rangers/Little Rangers director of Michigan Rangers FC.  He was assistant coach of the Davenport University women’s program for three years and Muskegon Risers women’s head coach from 2020-2021. 

Winterbottom is the club’s business operations manager.  She started working as a registrar for Vardar West in 2015 and moved over to Michigan Fire Juniors/Michigan Rangers FC in 2019.  Since then, Winterbottom has been handling the administrative duties along with the club’s finances and will oversee NPSL registration and administrative duties.

Home matches will be played at Davenport University in Grand Rapids, MI.  

“Our goal is to consistently showcase the best possible talent and on-field brand we can, while consistently competing regionally and nationally to win trophies,” Collins said.

Supporters can visit www.michiganrangersfc.com or follow the team on Facebook (@MichiganRangersFC), Instagram (@michiganrangersfc), and Twitter (@MIRangersFC).

“The transition of this group from Muskegon to the Grand Rapids market will be seamless as the Rangers bring experienced NPSL team management to the table,” NPSL Director of Membership Development Dina Case said.  “The Rangers are a well-known and respected club in their region who have a passion for growing the sport.  We are excited to have them join the NPSL.”

More information about expansion opportunities in the NPSL can be found at npsl.com/expansion.