The Flying Dutch are already off to a strong start as they opened its inaugural USCCS season on Sept. 11 with a 2-2 draw against Calvin University in Grand Rapids. The team followed that performance with a 1-0 road victory over Washtenaw Community College on Sept. 19, giving Hope an undefeated start through its first two league matches.

Hope’s next matches will be at home on Saturday, Sept. 26, with a game against Western Michigan University at 9 a.m., followed by a game against Eastern Michigan University at 7 p.m. Both games will be at Van Andel Soccer Stadium on Hope’s campus.

Additional home games will be against Ferris State University on Oct. 10, Washtenaw Community College on Oct. 23, and Calvin on Nov. 6. The regular-season finale against Calvin will give the team an opportunity to conclude its first USCCS season at home.

“We are very excited for the opportunity to compete in the U.S. College Club Soccer league,” said Jacob Caballero-Heuker, Club Fútbol co-president and Hope College senior. “Joining a league gives us an end goal to work towards and the opportunity to end the season with silverware and a shot at nationals. It was amazing to have the Hope community come around us and uplift us in such a positive and inspiring way last year, and we look forward to having new and old faces joining us again to continue building the unique culture and atmosphere that is Club Fútbol.”

For Joshua Woolsey, a Hope College senior and co-president of the club, competing in USCCS represents both a new competitive challenge and another opportunity for the young club to continue developing its identity.

“I am incredibly excited to see the way in which the team will continue to grow as a brotherhood this season,” Woolsey said. He noted that joining USCCS allows Hope to “officially compete with other well-established clubs in Michigan” while challenging the team to “adapt and overcome” as it continues to grow.

That combination of competition and community has been central to the club since its beginning. In its first season during the 2025-26 academic year, players developed relationships both on and off the field while building a student organization from the ground up. Now, with new players joining returning members and a formal league schedule in place, the team is looking to continue strengthening that culture while testing itself against club programs from across Michigan. The club roster stands at 29. Last year the team played friendly matches against Calvin University, Central Michigan University, Hillsdale College, and Western Michigan University.

The team is coached by Dr. Daniel Woolsey, professor of Spanish, with Professor Nate Blecke, associate professor of math instruction, serving as assistant coach. Their involvement provides the student-led club with additional mentorship and support as it navigates its first season of league competition.

Hope College Men’s Club Fútbol is an official student organization that gives Hope students an opportunity to compete at the club level, represent the college and continue developing their skills and relationships through soccer.

Launched in 2024, U.S. College Club Soccer is a member organization of the U.S. Soccer Federation created to unite and develop college club soccer teams and their student-athletes. Its new national league structure begins in fall 2026 with regional competition and provides teams with a pathway to postseason play.

The season culminates in the USCCS National Championship, scheduled for November 18–22 at the Arizona Athletic Grounds in Mesa, Arizona. Qualification will be based on teams’ regular-season conference finishes, with Gold, Silver and Bronze postseason divisions designed to provide competitive opportunities for more clubs.

Game times, specific home locations, and other team updates will be shared through the team’s Instagram account, @hopeclubfutbol. Games will also be livestreamed by Dakota Tomac through DAK Sports Network at https://www.youtube.com/@daksportsnet.

About Hope College Men’s Club Fútbol
Hope College Men’s Club Fútbol was established in 2025 to provide Hope College students with the opportunity to compete in organized intercollegiate club soccer. The student-led program is in its second year in Fall 2026 and its first season as a member of U.S. College Club Soccer. The team is coached by Dr. Daniel Woolsey, professor of Spanish, with professor Nate Blecke, associate professor of math instruction, serving as assistant coach.

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