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Grand Rapids FC owner and founder Matt Roberts, left, shakes hands with coach George Moni at an event earlier this year.

(MLive file photo)

GRAND RAPIDS, MI - Matt Roberts has bet a lot of time and money that Grand Rapids is ready for its own soccer team.

Although the early reviews have been encouraging, he'll find out for sure Saturday when the Grand Rapids Football Club (FC) has its home debut 7:30 p.m. at Houseman Field.

"We've been working very, very hard for a year now trying to get this going and we're finally here now," said Roberts, founder of the program and GR Crew Juniors Director of Youth Development. "We want this to be a team that all of West Michigan can go and watch and support. It's a very exciting week - a very stressful week, but exciting one, too."

Gates open at 6:30 p.m. Tickets at $7 online and $10 at the gate. Fans - known as The Grand Army - will meet at Bob's Bar on Michigan Avenue, from 2-7 p.m. Saturday before the game.

It will be the first of seven home games for Grand Rapids FC. The team has already played two road games, going 1-1.

Here's a FAQ to get on board and up to speed with the team:

Slogan: "One City, One Club."

Coach: George Moni

League: Great Lakes Premier League, a fourth-tier amateur league sanctioned by the U.S. Adult Soccer Association.

Schedule: 13 games (plus two earlier scrimmages), including eight in league

Roster: 28 players overall, with Domenic Barone, a former East Kentwood and Michigan State player, as its centerpiece up front.

Membership: The club has sold 580 memberships at $100 each. Membership includes season tickets a founding member scarf and other perks.

Attendance: 1,200 ticket sold for the opener so far; organizers hope for 2,000.

Team links: Website | Facebook | Twitter

Timeline in story links:

• Q&A with Grand Rapids FC coach George Moni

• Grand Rapids FC has final tune-up before inaugural game

• Grand Rapids FC adds five players to roster after open tryout

• Grand Rapids FC unveils uniform to standing-room only crowd

• Grand Rapids Football Club hires staff, builds roster

• Grand Rapids Football Club shoots to bring minor league soccer to West Michigan

Photo gallery from their scrimmage against Aquinas:

Grand Rapids FC Soccer Vs. Aquinas College 37 Gallery: Grand Rapids FC Soccer Vs. Aquinas College

Pete Wallner covers sports for MLive/Grand Rapids Press. Email him at pwallner@mlive.com or follow him on Twitter, Facebook or Google+.