GOSHEN CITY FC: Goshen City opens up regular season schedule this weekend

GOSHEN — The reigning Midwest Premier League (MWPL) Great Lakes champions begin their title defense today.

Goshen City FC makes its 2026 regular season debut this weekend when the club hosts the Holland Rovers. GCFC will meet the Rovers at the Goshen College Soccer Complex at 5 p.m. Last season, Goshen City tied Holland 1-1 in the Maple City before besting them 3-1 on the road during the five-game win streak to close out the regular season.

Goshen has already dipped its feet in the water this year. The club made its second appearance in the U.S. Amateur Cup this past month after losing its first-ever match in penalties in 2025.

This time, the Leafs defeated Steel City FC (Ill.) 4-1 at home before beating familiar foe 1927 SC 1-0 in Fort Wayne. GCFC was one of six teams remaining in Region 11 when the team entered the third round, Goshen met its demise when the club lost a 4-0 decision to RWB Adria Chicago this past weekend.

“I’m definitely happy that we improved by winning a few more games in the Amateur Cup this year,” fourth-year head coach Tyler Born said. “We learned that the competition can get pretty difficult with the timing since we started a month earlier this year than we did last year. In terms of having all of the guys and the players, for all teams I think it’s a bit of a stretch at times, but I learned a lot about the guys I had and what we needed to work on leading up to our first regular season game.”

Goshen’s run at another Great Lakes title begins with its pursuit to win the Great Lakes West division. Goshen City was 2-1-2 (W-L-D) at the midpoint of the season in 2025 before ripping off five-consecutive wins to win the division. GCFC then defeated Great Lakes East division-champs Cedars FC 2-1 in Dearborn, Michigan to win the overall title.

“Last year, the way that we ended the year was the highest amount of work and effort that I’ve ever seen and coached,” Born said. “I’m looking to carry that over and keep it consistent from the beginning through end of July.”

“We accomplished what we set out for last year and we definitely have a target on our back being champions in our first year in the league,” he said. “I’m anticipating it, the return guys are anticipating it and the new guys are going to be feeling that level, that energy and that push from all of us to try and get back to where we left off last year.”

Today’s game is also being named the “Celebration of Hope” match in an effort to join forces with Goshen’s Center for Healing & Hope. Before GCFC begins its MWPL season, fans are encouraged to run or walk to the game by meeting at the Center for Healing & Hope located off 400 W. Lincoln Ave. in Goshen.

From there, walkers will depart for the Goshen College Soccer Complex at 3:45 p.m. and runners will begin at 4:15 p.m. as the two groups trek through the Millrace Canal Trail. After the game, fans are invited to join the team at Goshen Brewing Company from 7-9 p.m. Proceeds from ticket sales will go to the Center for Healing & Hope.