Kalamazoo FC

The first match Kalamazoo FC ever played, on May 13, 2016, was against AFC Ann Arbor, and they lost 2–1. Ann Arbor has stayed the in-state rival since. The other fixture with a name of its own is the "Battle of 131" against Midwest United FC.

Local businessman Mike Garrett founded the club in 2015 and it was named on December 21, 2015. It joined the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) for the 2016 season. The first win came later that month, against Detroit City FC, in front of 1,585 spectators at Soisson-Rapacz-Clason Field, also called Mayor's Riverfront Stadium, which holds 2,200. Purple was chosen as the main colour for its association with nobility and ambition, and black and white accents complete the kit.

Dave Shufelt took over as owner from Garrett in 2019. In 2021 the club left the NPSL for USL League Two, a move made to reach a league that draws elite college players. KZFC won the Great Lakes Division in 2021 and again in 2022. Paul-Florian Efang was the club's most valuable player in 2021, and Cyrus Harmon its offensive player that year.

The league has also become a route out. Brandon Bye was taken eighth overall in the 2018 Major League Soccer (MLS) SuperDraft. Bachir Ndiaye went 47th in 2023, and Skage Simonsen 75th in 2022.

The club is now preparing for a change of identity. In 2026 it announced a rebrand for a new USL club due to launch in 2027, led by Kzoo Soccer. The name and crest are to be unveiled in November 2026.