EAST LANSING - A team Lansing can call its own has the area enraptured.

"It really has been amazing," Lansing United owner Jeremy Sampson said. "The support that we have received from the Mid-Michigan community, soccer fans and non-soccer fans, I mean we have had people come out to our games who have never been to a soccer game before."

Sampson spent nearly the last 20 years as a sportscaster in Lansing, before he realized he was missing out on something greater.

"I think as my kids got a little bit older, my kids are nine and seven, they became a lot more active in their after-school activities, whether it was athletics or something else, on weekends," Sampson said.

"My schedule at the TV station was nights and weekends. Dad was missing out on some of those things that the kids were doing. I didn't want to do that. I loved what I did, being a sportscaster. I absolutely loved every minute of it, but to me family was more important."

A quest to spend more time with his loved ones had begun.

"About a three year process all-told from writing it down on a napkin somewhere to making it happen this year," Sampson said.

The early success can be pointed at the hiring of United's General Manager and Head Coach.

"When I was looking to hire somebody I asked six different people. Who should I take a look at? Who should I interview? Every single one of them said Eric Rudland. We had a phone conversation, we sat down for dinner and I knew within the first five minutes that he was someone I wanted to offer the job. I was just fortunate he took it."

Just like that Sampson and Rudland found their new team sitting atop the Midwest Standings of the National Premiere Soccer League.

"I think we built a good foundation and now let's build on that," Sampson said.

"Personally as the owner, again, I would just like to say thank you for everything you have done this year. I hope you have had a good experience when you come out to games, and I hope that we can see you again next year too."