AUG. 19, 2026, GRAND RAPIDS, Mich. – A new era is beginning for both Grand Rapids Community College soccer programs.
As the Raiders enter their fourth year of men's and women's soccer, both programs will take the field with new leadership and plenty to build on. The two teams will once again call Midwest United FC in Kentwood home, with the 2026 season bringing new coaches, new challenges and another opportunity to establish GRCC soccer among the region's top junior college programs.
Women's Soccer
The GRCC women's soccer program enters its fourth season under first-year head coach Doug Barrow, who returns to his alma mater with an extensive background in West Michigan soccer.
Barrow takes over for Mario Zuniga-Gil, who guided the Raiders to the program's first regional tournament victory before leaving GRCC to become the head coach at Aquinas College.
A Grand Rapids native and graduate of East Kentwood High School, GRCC and Grand Valley State University, Barrow spent the previous years building an impressive coaching résumé with Midwest United FC. His experience includes working with both boys' and girls' teams across multiple age groups and competitive levels, with an emphasis on player development, tactical planning, match analysis and program leadership. He also holds a U.S. Soccer Federation B License along with United Soccer Coaches diplomas in goalkeeping and futsal.
Barrow sees his return to GRCC as an opportunity to build on the foundation already established by the program's first three seasons.
"GRCC has been an important part of my own journey, so the opportunity to return and lead this program is especially meaningful. I'm looking forward to building a team centered on hard work, accountability, tactical growth, and a culture that our players, alumni, and supporters can be proud of."
The Raiders will get an early test away from home, opening their official schedule Aug. 20 at Kankakee Community College in Illinois. They will remain in Illinois for another match Aug. 21 at Morton College.
The team's first home match is scheduled for Aug. 24 at 2 p.m. against the University of Windsor at Midwest United FC in Kentwood.
From there, GRCC will play 15 additional matches before the regional tournament, including eight MCCAA Western Conference contests. The regular season will feature home matches against opponents including Muskegon Community College, Marian University-Plymouth, Alpena Community College, Kellogg Community College, Lake Michigan College, Owens Community College and Schoolcraft College.
The Raiders will close the regular season Oct. 23 at Kellogg Community College before the Region XII tournament begins Oct. 27.
For Barrow, the challenge will be taking a program that has already reached a significant first-year milestone and continuing to push it forward.
The fourth season represents another step in establishing GRCC women's soccer as a consistent contender — this time with a coach who knows the West Michigan soccer landscape extremely well.
Women's Soccer Schedule
Women's Soccer Roster
Men's Soccer
The GRCC men's soccer program will also begin its fourth season with a change at the top.
With head coach James Gilpin currently out on medical leave, Alex Mendoza will lead the Raiders during the 2026 season.
Mendoza brings extensive coaching experience to the position. His background includes serving as a head coach for Midwest United FC's MLS NEXT U17 and U16 age groups, as well as coaching with the club's pre-MLS NEXT U12 and U11 programs. He has also coached with SCOR (Soccer Club of Rockford), working with players from the U10 through U19 levels.
Mendoza also brings significant playing and coaching credentials to the role. Midwest United FC lists him as an MLS NEXT staff coach, with a CONMEBOL A license, Asociación del Fútbol Argentino PRO license, MBP School of Coaches Master High Performance Football credential and U.S. Soccer Federation B License.
"This is a great opportunity for us to come together as a group and establish what we want GRCC men's soccer to be" says Mendoza. "We have talented players, and our focus is going to be on competing every day, developing as a team and putting ourselves in a position to compete for a regional championship."
The Raiders will open their official home schedule Aug. 21 at Midwest United FC with a unique doubleheader against Olivet College.
GRCC will face Olivet's varsity squad at noon, followed by a 2 p.m. matchup with Olivet's JV team. The Raiders have also had preseason scrimmage opportunities against Cleary University, Cornerstone University and Aquinas College.
Following the Olivet matches, GRCC will play 15 more matches before the Region XII tournament, including six MCCAA Western Conference contests.
The home schedule features matches against Heartland Community College, Muskegon Community College, Cuyahoga Community College, Marian University-Plymouth, Alpena Community College, Owens Community College, Lake Michigan College and Schoolcraft College.
The Raiders will finish the regular season Oct. 21 at Marian University-Plymouth before the Region XII tournament begins Oct. 27. The tournament semifinals and championship are scheduled for Oct. 31 at Morton Park in Marysville.
For the men's program, the goal is straightforward: use the regular season to develop into a team capable of making a postseason run.
With Mendoza stepping in during Gilpin's medical leave, the Raiders will have a new voice leading them, but the same opportunity remains — build on the first three years of the program and take another step forward in Year 4.
Men's Soccer Schedule
Men's Soccer Roster
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Interested in supporting GRCC Athletics? All donations can be done through
GRCC Athletic's Scholarship Fund and can specify what scholarship fund the gift is going to, such as the Hofmann scholarship. If you have any questions on how to support Athletics at Grand Rapids Community College, contact the Athletic Department via phone at (616) 234-3883 or email
grccathletics@grcc.edu. Any support is appreciated and goes towards assisting our student-athlete scholarship funds.
