Rapid City FC Brings Professional Indoor Soccer to Grand Rapids

Major League Indoor Soccer is coming to Grand Rapids, Michigan, and the name of MLIS's newest team is the Rapid City Football Club (RCFC).

Through much discussion, the founding members, Louis Stephens III and Joe Brefczynski felt that the team's name and logo should be a tribute to the city of Grand Rapids. The name Rapid City is a local nickname, and the logo features a nod to the famous Calder Statue that also adorns the city's logo.

"Our name is meant to represent our city's rich history, and progress to the future," said Brefczynski, "and our logo features the iconic Alexander Calder statue, one of our most prominent landmarks in our city."

Rapid City FC will play their 2022-23 home games at MSA Sports Spot with long term plans to grow into a larger facility.

“Grand Rapids needs professional soccer. It is proven that we have a lot of talented players in our city and have an amazing community of supporters. I’m excited to see the positive impact a professional indoor soccer team will have on our community, as it is a very entertaining game, and we know the fans will love every minute of the action,” said Fabian Rodriguez, Head Coach of the Rapid City Football Club.

Rodriguez also serves as the Head Coach for the semi-professional National Futsal Premier League's Grand Rapids Olé, and is Michigan's State Futsal Director for United States Youth Futsal (USYF). 

“Fabian has a rich coaching history in soccer and futsal,” said Brefczynski. “He’s won youth and adult national titles in futsal and has traveled to Argentina, Spain, and Portugal representing the United States for USYF.”

Rapid City FC will host tryouts at their home facility on October 1, 2022, from 6pm-9pm. RCFC will also open the season with a few exhibitions, which will be detailed at their press conference on September 13th at Creston Brewery in Grand Rapids. 

“There is a large pool of talented players in Grand Rapids that makes the recruiting process exciting,” says Rodriguez. “Between experienced futsal and indoor players, and former college athletes, I think it will make for a competitive tryout. I’m looking for the best players but will prioritize finding home grown talent who want to represent our city!”

Rapid City FC will compete against regional teams, including Chicago, Rockford, Cincinnati, and Cleveland starting in December 2022. 

“I have worked with a number of teams in different leagues and levels throughout the years and to be able to see this all come together is very special," said Louis Stephens, who is Team President for the Rapid City Football Club. "We were presented opportunities to join the M2, but several factors dissuaded us from moving in that direction. When we were notified that we had prominent former M2 teams such as the Cincinnati Swerve, Cleveland Crunch and Chicago Mustangs in our region, it felt like a match made in heaven. 

"Grand Rapids is a perfect fit for professional soccer and the timing was impeccable. We have a community that is enriched in soccer tradition, but we have never had a professional soccer team to call our own. My soccer experience spans over three decades and it brings me great joy to see the growth of the game nationally. I feel this team will provide opportunities for young men who still aspire to play competitive soccer. I love direction of MLIS and see a bright future for potential teams looking to join.”