Two days ago, the NPSL announced a new regional league to fall under their national first tier. The league is fittingly called the NPSL-RL and will be partnering with the Great Lakes Alliance (GLA). Kicking off in 2026, the fall-spring structure invites clubs who want to play year round a platform to grow into professional standards and one day join the NPSL 1st tier.

The Southeast Soccer Report was able to interview NPSL-RL Managing Director Jason Brown over call, who has been the leader of the Ohio Valley Premier League (OVPL). That interview is below, followed by our thoughts on what this means for the American semi-professional pyramid as a whole.

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your own work when it comes to the Ohio Valley Premier League and the Great Lakes Alliance?

Jason Brown: Yeah, absolutely. So the Premier League was actually born out of an idea a couple of us had about six years ago. We noticed there was a gap for players exiting club soccer, still in college, but not necessarily ready to take that next step to what I’d call a tier-one opportunity. We were sitting back trying to decide what that space should look like, and that’s where my current partner Ed, who’s the director and managing partner of the GLA, said: Why don’t we move into this space and offer a U23 initiative, and see what happens from there?

Long story short, we kicked off during COVID, which was a nightmare for many people, but for the amateur soccer landscape we provided a platform that allowed NCAA players to come in and play. We started off with a six-team regional opportunity, and we grew quickly across the state and region. We’ve kept that momentum going ever since under the GLA banner, really focused on players coming out of U18 and U19 clubs, as well as those going off to college but still wanting to be connected locally. It gave them a place to come back and still call home.

On the other side of that, we also developed what I call the “true amateur” side, where teams are starting up in communities and wanting to be part of something bigger. A recent example is Northern Kentucky Nitro FC, which won the 2025 OVPL Championship. They started completely from scratch, and now they have a youth club that supports their system as they continue building out.

So there have been a lot of success stories in opening that pathway for players in the region all the way from the ground up.

Why partner with the NPSL to build this out on a national platform?

That’s a great question. I think one of the things about it is just that the conversation right from the very beginning is all about the relationship and the synergy you build between two groups. With the leadership staff of the NPSL and the leadership staff of the GLA, we are like-minded leagues. The way in which we’ve built, we’ve listened to membership, we’ve seen opportunities to help grow organically, and I think that’s one of the things that helps us create a unified grassroots structure.

The NPSL-RL is going to strengthen supporter culture and fan bases as we continue to build in communities across the country and unify that effort. With the GLA, we’ve created a footprint with the amateur network for teams, and what the NPSL does very well is bring a standards-driven set of play and opportunity for those across the country. It’s one of the long-standing leagues in the country for a reason, and that’s because of the attention to detail and the platform it offers to people.

Focusing on Ohio and the Great Lakes Alliance, is that the league that is going to start and build out the NPSL-RL?

Actually, I’ll step back a little bit. The Great Lakes Alliance is an umbrella organization that houses thousands of youth teams across the Midwest and Northeast, and it’s also the incubator for the adult amateur league, which I was a part of with the OVPL. We are connecting and collaborating with the NPSL to start something from the ground up and bring amateur and club teams together under a unified banner across the country.

What we’re doing is creating an accessible pathway. For example, teams from the OVPL may aspire to have a more competitive opportunity or a higher standard, such as the Midwest Premier League, and some of the others across the country that desire a national platform and pathway to grow into. The GLA provides the structure and blueprint, while the NPSL provides the pathway. Out of the NPSL-RL, we hope to see teams grow toward that tier-one platform and more national opportunities.

How exactly will that connection be structured? How will clubs move up from the regional league to the first tier? Will there be promotion/relegation, or will it be determined by standards set by the league?

You’re trying to get me on a sticky subject with promotion and relegation already! That’s always the dream, right? I think what we’re looking at right now is developing a unified matrix that can walk a team from a grassroots regional opportunity all the way to a tier-one structure. The NPSL-RL creates that middle ground. It provides professionalism and the opportunity to grow toward national standards. The NPSL-RL is that step above, to prepare teams for the next level.

Ok, the next question focuses more on expansion. You did say you have a lot of leagues that you’ll probably look at, and some of the youth clubs under the banner may bring up U23 or men’s teams. How many teams do you expect, and how nationalized do you expect the league to be? Will it start mostly in the Northeast and Midwest, or do you expect teams in the Southeast and Southwest as well?

Right now, we just made the announcement a couple of hours ago, so we’re going to let that settle. We already have quite a bit of interest coming in through the website. We’ll sit back, look at what the map shows, and see what makes sense. We have pockets of strong influence in the Midwest and Northeast, and also some opportunities in the Southeast. I’ve already been getting emails from individuals across those regions, so it looks like we’ll have a broad spectrum to consider.

What we have to do is make sure this doesn’t strain teams. We want it to be an accessible opportunity that adds value without the heavy expectations of a full national platform, like costly travel. We want a strong regional footprint, but just a step up.

The press release talks about this being the next step for teams preparing to move onto the first tier of the semi-professional game. I know the announcement is fresh, but are there any defined standards or things the league has looked at that makes NPSL-RL more flexible to join than the NPSL?

I think when you look at things like that, we’re talking about the fan experience and the player experience. At the national platform, there are certain expectations—for example, facilities where you can host, shower, and feed the visiting team, and provide a full pre/post-match experience.

At the regional level, those expectations aren’t as strict. If you have them, that’s great, and I’m not saying they won’t be there, but it’s not required at the same level. Instead, it’s more about field surface, venue options, and similar operating standards that can be scaled as a club grows. This creates a clear pathway moving forward, and it’s something we’ll share with membership as we refine expectations.

How much is the fan culture and experience important to the league as it builds out?

Oh, I think that’s paramount. Over the last 15–20 years, I’ve seen that we don’t yet have a fully developed culture. We have pockets flaring up, especially at the amateur level, that need to continue moving upward. We’re just now seeing matchday experiences grow. For example, the NPSL final showed how a small town like Hickory created an embedded, exciting environment. That’s the kind of culture we want to build at the regional level and see flourish at the national level. With the World Cup cycle approaching, it’s even more critical.

We already touched a bit on expansion. When the league structure is fully set, will you target state and regional leagues, like the APSL does, or follow more of a UPSL model with regional divisions leading to national playoffs?

I think we’re looking to fill a part of the pyramid that wasn’t there yet at the national platform. We want to help incubate teams at the regional level. Organically, teams will navigate where membership has a voice. For us, it’s about making sure membership feels heard and is driving the opportunity. That’s what builds culture—doing things the right way, and allowing those who want to move the game forward to be part of it.

There’s a lot of competition in the amateur space in the U.S.—UPSL, NPSL, Midwest Premier League, Southwest Premier League, and more. What makes the NPSL-RL stand out to prospective clubs?

We’re ready to unify the platform—not just separate leagues, but something more like conferences within one structure. We want a large, united network of soccer programs and football-oriented people. That’s what the NPSL-RL provides: a community and a clear, authentic pathway. We’re not reinventing the wheel; we’re providing access to what already exists in a more unified way.

Note: We will mention that as we were saying our goodbyes on the call, Tennessee was brought up as a state garnering a lot of prospective interest in the NPSL-RL.

Our Thoughts:

First off, we would like to thank Mr. Brown and the NPSL-RL for their time and cooperation.

Now, this interview paints the new league seemingly as the next step up from the UPSL. It’s a year-long league that not only gives loads of opportunities to more college and amateur soccer players, but promises to do that with higher on and off-field standards. Fanbase building and growth is key here, continuing a mission the current NPSL has but through a more accessible path for clubs with potentially less money to spend. It’s a culture builder, and that’s a great look on the PR side.

On the logistical side, this league keeps the top division sustainable. It’s no secret that the NPSL has lost over 100 clubs since 2020 and has had mixed results replacing those who leave. But now, having a second division that can organically develop strong clubs, fanbases, and markets to compete at the highest semi-pro level does wonders when competing against USL2 and The League for Clubs.

Finally, the people leading this league have the right intentions in mind. While the leadership in the NPSL front office has been scrutinized by media and fans alike for many different reasons, two leaders focused on building the amateur game from the ground up are coming in to expand their vision on a broader level with the NPSL-RL. From the outside looking in, that can give fans a lot of confidence, and we hope to see this new league thrive and find its place in the American soccer pyramid.

NPSL Press Release:

The NPSL-Regional League Launches Nationwide through Partnership with GLA

The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), the first and only men's league designated by USASA as a Tier 1 national league, is proud to announce that their Regional League platform is launching nationwide. This was achieved through a strategic partnership with the Great Lakes Alliance (GLA).

The NPSL-Regional League will be branded and marketed as the NPSL-RL.

“This announcement is all about working together to grow the game,” NPSL Managing Director Cindy Spera said. “This product is available to any amateur men’s team in the country that wishes to apply to compete under the NPSL brand. The Regional League offers more flexible standards compared to the existing NPSL Tier 1 product, while keeping the core values of the NPSL brand: high service levels, defined minimum standards, and a professionally run front office.”

The NPSL-RL will operate year-round, giving NPSL clubs the opportunity to keep their brand active in the fall and spring. This program also serves as an incubator for clubs looking to grow into the traditional NPSL Tier 1 level by offering a professional and organized environment in which to grow.

Ed Bernstein and Jason Brown will lead this new effort. Bernstein is the director and a managing partner of the Great Lakes Alliance (GLA), while Brown has successfully led the Ohio Valley Premier League (OVPL) for the past six years.

“Partnering with the NPSL and launching the NPSL-RL is a natural progression in the evolution of the amateur game and our shared mission to provide a unified approach to player and club development,” Bernstein said. “The Great Lakes Alliance and the NPSL share a vision of creating impactful and accessible pathways that connect every level of the game. This collaboration strengthens the amateur pyramid and expands opportunities for players to grow and succeed across the country."

Brown will also serve as the Managing Director of the NPSL-RL.

"The launch of the NPSL-RL is the evolution of the NPSL and its commitment to providing a unified approach to developing the soccer landscape,” Brown said. “Partnering with the Great Lakes Alliance brings together two organizations that believe in accessibility and competitive opportunity. Together, we can better connect the amateur pyramid, offering players and clubs a clear and meaningful pathway to grow within the game."

The NPSL-RL will kick off in the spring of 2026 and aspires to have competitions all across the country. An inquiry form can be found at npsl.com/rl.

About the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL)

The National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) is a national amateur soccer league affiliated with the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA), classified as a Tier 1 men’s amateur soccer league. The NPSL is dedicated to promoting the growth and development of the sport across the United States through competitive opportunities and community engagement.

About The Great Lakes Alliance (GLA)

The Great Lakes Alliance (GLA) was formed in 2017 and currently has over 1300 teams participating in its US Club-sanctioned leagues. GLA has member clubs coming out of Kentucky, Michigan, Ohio, New York, Pennsylvania, and West Virginia, with approximately 20,000 players. GLA is a member of the US Club Soccer National Premier League (NPL) platform and the U.S. Soccer Federation.

The Southeast Soccer Report is an official media partner of the NPSL.

National Championship:

Hickory FC vs El Farolito

Saturday, August 2 at 8:00pm EST

Kezar Stadium (San Francisco, CA; Capacity 9044)

The NPSL National Championship game has arrived, and the two teams involved are both undefeated for the season. Their differences run deep, and not just because the clubs are separated by almost 2700 miles.

El Farolito

This is the El Farolito. If you're reading this, you're almost certainly a fan of lower division soccer, which means you've probably heard of El Farolito. They've played havoc in the US Open Cup, beating professional teams in each of the last two Cups, and taking home the prize for being making it farther than any other semi-pro team. Farolito comes in as the #1 overall ranked NPSL team, having won every regular season game, scoring 41 goals, while only allowing 3 (12 games). They did have one close game in the playoffs, a 2-1 win over Sacramento Gold, but were pretty safe on the way through otherwise. As the home team, they'll certainly be favored. El Farolito was founded in 1985, and won the US Open Cup in 1993. They're very experienced in big games and are the defending NPSL Champions.

Hickory FC

Hickory came through their ten game regular season undefeated as well, but did have one draw (0-0 against Bristol Rhythm). They scored 31 goals, and allowed 7 through the summer. Their last three playoff games were all decided by single goals. They'll need that scrappy nature if they're going to pull off the upset here. Hickory drew over 39,000 home fans during the season, including a crowd of more than 6,000 for their semifinal match. This is just their second season, but they've been exceptional since day one.

Kezar Stadium

San Francisco's Kezar Stadium is a star in its own right. The original stadium opened for business in 1925, and was most famous as the first home of both the San Francisco 49ers and the Oakland Raiders. The stadium also made a noteworthy appearance in Dirty Harry in 1971. The original stadium had to be demolished in 1989, and was rebuilt and then remodeled as the stadium that's there today. It will be the future home to MLS NEXT Pro side Golden City FC and will go through $10 million in refurbishments.

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National Semifinal 1:

Hickory FC vs Ristozi FC

Credit Hickory FC

Saturday, July 26 at 7:00pm EST

Moretz Stadium (Hickory, NC; Capacity 7200)

Hickory FC won the South Region Championship last week, and are squaring off this week against Ristozi FC. Owen Chapman had a great recap of that game:

That huge win moved Hickory into the final four, where they'll have a huge advantage hosting Saturday’s match. Ristozi FC are playing in their first season, and are based in the Baltimore area. They finished second in their division in the regular season behind Virginia Dreams, and have charged into the semi-finals a little bit under the radar. They have been very good at both ends of the pitch, and they are going to be an extremely tough opponent. They're led by American University's Toshi Davis, who previously played for Annapolis Blues.

Hickory is undefeated on the season, and they'll be expecting another big crowd to cheer them on in their quest for the national title. Their first job is to slow down the Ristozi attack, and see if they can find an early goal to apply pressure. The weather has been a huge factor in soccer games around the country, and we've seen tons of lightning delays over the past couple of weeks. The issue in Hickory tomorrow will be the heat. The temp at kickoff is expected to be 90 degrees with a “feels like” temperature of 96. A high intensity match like this is going to see players cramping up, and the depth of the benches will be critical.

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South Region Championship:

Hickory FC vs Lubbock Matadors

Credit Hickory FC

Saturday, July 19 at 7:00pm EST

Moretz Stadium (Hickory, NC; Capacity 7200)

This match is the Region championship, but also the NPSL Elite 8. The winner moves on to the national semifinals to be held on Saturday, July 26. Hickory and Lubbock are two relatively new clubs, but have already made a mark. The Matadors come into the match off of two road playoff wins in a row, beating Jacksonville Armada last week 1-0. Lubbock is part of the Hitchcock portfolio of clubs, and they'll be looking to follow in the footsteps of fellow Hitchcock club Columbus United who dispatched Hickory last year on their way to the semifinals.

Hickory are the back to back champions for the Southeast Conference, and are looking to break through to get their shot at the National Championship. They're undefeated this season, riding on a very strong defense, while also scoring three goals per game. Lubbock's performance this season has been more uneven, but their offense has been explosive at times. Look for a big crowd to cheer on Hickory and push them over the line to their first appearance in the national semifinals.

Hickory FC's Carlos Rubio named National Coach of the Year

Image credit: Hickory Daily Record

Hickory FC head coach Carlos Rubio has been honored as the NPSL national coach of the year, just ahead of his team's playoff game against Lubbock. Rubio is also the head soccer coach at Lenoir-Rhymes, an NCAA Divsion II school, where Hickory FC plays their home games.

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CREDIT: Pensacola Football Club

Alej Binaghi (University of Mobile) scored on a Union 10 FC corner in the fifth added minute, and the match ended knotted at 1-1. The exhausted teams played two 15-minute extra-time periods without scoring, and Union prevailed 4-2 in a penalty shootout.

Alej Binaghi, an Argentinian midfielder who won the 2021 NAIA Player of the Year award while playing at the University of Mobile, scored a stoppage-time equalizer and made the deciding kick in a penalty shootout to give Union 10 FC a 1(4)-1(2) win Sunday against Pensacola FC in The League for Clubs Gulf Coast Conference championship match. CREDIT: La Nacion

Just like that, the Daphne, Ala.-based team claimed the first The League for Clubs Gulf Coast Conference championship, and the host Pelicans’ season was over.

Union 10 FC (11-1-0) will host FC Dallas U23 at 5:15 p.m. Sunday at Village Park in Daphne for the South Region championship; the winner will advance to the national finals in the Dallas-Fort Worth area with semifinals July 25 and the championship and third place matches July 27.

Pensacola, the conference’s East Division winner, finished the season 10-2-0.

PFC Coach Dean Logan said the Pelicans will be haunted by missed opportunities throughout the match that might have changed the outcome.

“The goalkeeper (Sam MacDonald, University of Mobile)) made some wonderful saves that kept them in the game,” Logan said. “I thought that we created lots of chances but were unable to convert…. We hit the post twice, and had some easy chances that we just couldn’t put in.”

Axel Gravel plays for Georgia Southwestern State University in Americus. CREDIT: Georgia Southwestern

Axel Gravel (Georgia Southwestern University) put Pensacola ahead with a 30-yard blast in the 70th minute, the sixth score of the season for the midfielder from Dijon, France. That was the score into stoppage time when Binaghi found himself unchecked on the left side of the goal with a corner kick coming in from the right; he headed the ball in a gentle arc just over the outstretched glove of Pelicans’ goalie Gabriel Mendoza (Concordia University of Nebraska), sending the equalizer softly into the net.

It was a crucial lapse for Pensacola FC, which had allowed just five goals in its first 11 matches.

“One objective for the players is to win their individual duels,” Logan said. “We haven’t given up many goals this season due to that. In that moment, we didn’t get organized quick enough, and the opposition capitalized on it.”

Officially, the match ended in a 1-1 draw after extra time. In knockout play, victors are decided by a penalty kick shootout, with players from each team taking shots from the penalty spot against the opposing team’s keeper. The shootout is organized in sets of five turns for each team and continues until it is a mathematical impossibility for one team to catch the other.

The tiebreaker was the Pelicans’ first experience in a shootout.

“This was something new for us,” Logan said. “Credit to the guys who stepped up in that pressure moment. Once it gets to that stage, you just have to hope everyone executes. Unfortunately, we were unable to convert all ours.”

Union 10 FC goalkeeper Sam MacDonald made several outstanding blocks against Pensacola FC on Sunday, including one during the penalty shootout that decided the outcome. CREDIT: University of Mobile

Pensacola went first. Retsin Kabambala scored his kick, and Union’s Jeb Scarbrough’s successful attempt evened the score. Then MacDonald, the U10 goalie, threw himself to his right to block Sebastian Ruiz-Hurst’s shot and John Finlay gave Union the lead with his kick. Anthony Ciccarello pulled the Pelicans even and Calum Kearney struck true for the Alabama team.

On Pensacola’s fourth try, Rodrigo Bacci sailed his shot over the left side of the crossbar, leaving PFC trailing 2-3. Binaghi buried Union’s fourth shot, giving the East Division champions an insurmountable 4-2 lead and claiming the Gulf Coast Conference crown for the visitors.

Logan said the club will be announcing team awards on its social media over the coming days while players turn their attention to other pursuits.

“Some guys will head back home to their families to spend some time with them (after) having been away for three months; it’s really important that they get that time” before reporting to their college teams, Logan said. Area players will continue to train on their own to prepare for the upcoming college season.

It could take a while to decide the awards, according to the fifth-year coach.

“It will be hard to pick those for sure. Our guys were tremendous for us this season,” he said.

“I am really happy of our accomplishments this season,” he added. “First time being crowned (division) champions and retaining the 850 Cup trophy. Only conceding six goals all season while scoring 41 in 12 games. That is a remarkable achievement.

“For the fans that came out, we hope that they were entertained,” Logan continued. “As always, we will continue to get better with the plans in store for soccer in the Pensacola area.”

PENSACOLA FC — Gabriel Mendoza; Aaron Boateng, Isaac Machado, Joao Ribeiro dos Santos, Rodrigo Bacci; Axel Gravel, Baylen Young, Ignacio Miranda, Marcus Pereira, Michael Lightbourne; Josiah Fontenot. BENCH — Anthony Ciccarello Campbell Young, Colin Spuler, Elijh Lacey, Isaac Kamara, Restin Kabambala, Sebastian Ruiz-Hurst

UNION 10 FC — Sam MacDonald; Guido Solaro, Austin Davis, Calum Kearney, Justin Long; Luke Schwarz, Kipper Miller; Alejo Binaghi; Lucas Rios, Jeb Scarbrough; Josh Bynoe. BENCH — Albert Kidomo, Jameson Bryant, John Finlay, Lucas Joiner, Mauricio Valdes Miranda, Niyo Claude, Ramez Hasan

GOALS — A. Gravel, PFC, 70’; A. Binaghi, U10, 95’

YELLOW CARDS — PFC: M. Pereira, 22’; J. Ribeiro dos Santos, 26’

PENALTY SHOOTOUT

PFC — Kabambala, good, 1-0

U10 — Scarbrough, good, 1-1

PFC — Ruiz-Hurst, blocked, 1-1

U10 — Finlay, good, 1-2

PFC — Ciccarello, good, 2-2

U10 — Calum Kearney, good, 2-3

PFC —Bacci, miss, 2-3

U10 — Binaghi, good, 2-4

Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference:

Conference Finals result:

Jacksonville Armada U23 2-0 Naples United

South Region Semifinal: Jacksonville Armada U23 vs Lubbock Matadors

Credit ActionJax News

Wednesday, July 16 at 7:00pm EST

EWC Community Field and Athletic Stadium (Jacksonville , FL; Capacity 5000)

Jacksonville comes into the match as the #5 national seed, and Lubbock is the #13 national seed. The Armada beat a very tough Naples United squad to win the Gulf Coast Sunshine championship, while the Matadors dispatched West Texas FC 4-2 to win the Lone Star title. Lubbock had finished second in the conference due to head-to-head tie-breakers, so this will be their second playoff game in a row on the road. The Matadors have a very strong defense, and they'll need it against the Armada. Jacksonville matched Lubbock defensively on the season, allowing just nine goals. But they scored seven more goals (35) than the Matadors (28). Look for Jacksonville to be strong at home and advance to the Southern Region Championship, where they'll clash with Hickory FC.

Southeast Conference:

Conference Finals result:

Hickory FC 0-1 Appalachian FC; Hickory won in overtime in front of a crowd of 5758 fans. Owen Chapman posted a great recap after the game:

Credit NPSL

Hickory FC defeated Appalachian FC to win the Southeast Conference Championship, and await the winner of the Armada/Matadors game. Hickory will host the South Region Final on Saturday, July 19 at 7:00 EST.

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Image credit: GCPL

The Gulf Coast League Two championship game was last night at BREC Olympia Stadium in Baton Rouge, LA. The game featured two well-established rivals from Louisiana, BRSC Capitals (the home side) and Central Louisiana FC. The weather was good, but typically hot and humid Summer weather. The game was not originally set to be streamed, but the league and the Louisiana Soccer Association stepped up to make one possible. There were no announcers, but there was a hot mic that was helpful for getting a solid feel for the game. I never saw the crowd, but there were clearly plenty of supporters on hand for both teams.

Image credit: GCPL

The first half saw plenty of action back and forth. As overall strategies, it was clear that BRSC was intent on building pressure up the middle, and they had the bulk of possession. Central Louisiana kept a strong shape on defense, and looked for opportunities to counterattack, and for set pieces. In the 21st minute Central took the lead from a goal by Chaz Badeaux, coming from recycled action after a corner kick. The game was physical, and players were regularly hitting the ground. There's a fine line between “let them play” and “losing control of the game”. I'm not sure the referee ever had a solid grasp of that line. There were no yellow cards issued in the first half, although there probably should have been. The BRSC fans, in particular, got out their saddles and rode the referee hard throughout the game. He earned it. The score at the half remained a 1-0 Central Louisiana lead.

Image credit: GCPL

The second half started with BRSC knowing that they'd need to push hard to get through the Central defense. Unfortunately for them, that played right into CLA's strength. Just two minutes into the second half Central Louisiana earned a corner kick, and once again got a goal (Damian Kunc) from the action that ensued after it. As would be expected, that ramped up the temperature to a whole new level. The crowd and the teams got chippy, and the referee finally figured out which side of that fine line he was on. In the second half, he booked four players, and tossed a couple at benches for good measure. Somehow, he managed to keep things from truly getting out of hand. BRSC began to get tired and frustrated, and missed some great chances in close. Finally, in the 80th minute Gylles Mitchel got the Capitals on the board from a corner kick. The final ten minutes plus stoppage time were very intense. Some time-wasting by Central added to the natural frustration, and there was the occasional pushing and shoving, but thankfully it never went beyond that. In the end, BRSC just couldn't find the equalizer. Central Louisiana FC won a hard-fought game on the road as clear underdogs, 2-1. They're your Gulf Coast League Two Champions for 2025.

Image credit: Central Louisiana FC

In recognition for their style of play, and the role that defense played in the game, Central Louisiana chose defender Keelin Foley as their Man of the Match.

Central Louisiana FC, 2025 Champions

Image credit: BRSC Capitals

The Gulf Coast League Two championship game is tonight, July 12 at 7:15 Central time. Appropriately, this match features the top two teams of the regular season: BRSC Capitals from the East, and Central Louisiana FC from the West.

BRSC Capitals

Image credit: BRSC Capitals

The Capitals went through the regular season undefeated, winning all six matches. The closest game they had was a 4-2 win over Mississippi Blues, the second place team from the East. That was also the only time that they conceded more than one goal in a game. They play strong defense, and have a prolific offense to go with it, with a wide variety of players that can put it into the back of the ner. They are the clear favorites, especially at home.

Central Louisiana FC

Image credit: GCPL

In contrast to BRSC, Central Louisiana was involved in close games throughout the season. They had one loss, one draw, and all five of their wins (including the playoff game) were single goal margins. The good news for them is that they know how to play tough, and get close wins. If they can keep it close going into halftime, they're going to be extremely dangerous. They're a founding member of the GCPL (as Alexandria Pool Boys), and they'll be hoping that supporters will make the two hour drive to Baton Rouge.

Prediction

BRSC looks to be dialed in this season, and I expect them to be focused and ready. This also coach Craig Scott's final game with the team, so emotions will be high. Prediction: BRSC wins 3-1.

While some fans wanted an all-Florida final — a third match between Panhandle 850 Cup rivals Pensacola and Tallahassee — that hope ended when shorthanded Union 10 outlasted the Battle Lions 3-1 in extra time Wednesday in Daphne, Ala. Meanwhile, the Pelicans cruised to a ho-hum 3-0 win against Gaffa FC in the other semifinal, its third victory against the Mississippi team this season.

Pensacola coach Dean Logan said the Pelicans are “ready and excited” to represent PFC against Union 10.

“They share the same record as us, so we know that they will be a tough opponent,” he said. “They have some players who are really talented, so we won’t take it lightly. We understand that it’s a final, and we will be ready.”

Logan said fans should expect Pensacola to continue to play high-energy football.

“We have always been an entertaining team, and you won’t expect anything less,” he said. “We just have to execute in all moments of the game and limit any threats that they may possess.”

Division champs are evenly matched

On paper, the teams seem well-matched. PFC and the Union are both 10-1, they were the conference’s East and West division champions, respectively, and neither has lost since May. Pensacola scored 45 goals (tied with Tallahassee SC for best in the conference) and conceded a conference low five scores; the Pelicans’ +40 goal differential also topped the conference.

Union 10 scored 40 goals, third most behind PFC and Tallahassee. They gave up nine, second to Pensacola, for a third-best goal differential of +31 (Tallahassee had +34).

The Union — created by the merger of Mobile United and Gulf Coast Rangers in 2022 — has won nine straight since losing 3-4 at Gaffa FC in Ridgedale, Miss., a suburb of Jackson, on May 29. It beat Gaffa two days later on its home pitch at Village Park in Daphne.

The Pelicans lost 1-0 at home to arch-rival Tallahassee on May 25 but turned the tables on the Battle Lions with a 2-0 win June 11 at Gene Cox Stadium. That win not only evened the regular-season series but also gave PFC its fifth-straight Florida Panhandle 850 Cup, a challenge trophy only Pensacola has lifted since it was introduced in 2021 by supporters of the Pelicans, Lions, and Florida Roots. The Roots, based in Panama City, didn’t field a men’s team in 2025.

Players to watch

Josh Bynoe (University of Mobile) led Union with nine goals, tied with Pensacola’s Bruno Marques (University of the Cumberlands) for second in the conference; Hardy Lewis (Delta State University) of Gaffa had 10. Noah Miller (University of Mobile), with six goals, and Alejo Binaghi (University of Mobile), with four, add danger to the Union attack. Josiah Fontenot (University of West Florida), eight goals, and Axel Gravel (Georgia Southwestern University), five, are among Pensacola’s scoring threats.

Kickoff is at 6 p.m. Sunday at Ashton Brosnaham Stadium. The winner will play the Texas Conference champions Saturday or Sunday at the home field of the higher-seeded team. Austin United FC will play FC Dallas U23s this weekend to determine the Texas champion.

Union 10 FC 3, Tallahassee 1

This semifinal between the West Division-champion Union and East runners-up Tallahassee ended regular time at Village Park in Daphne tied 1-1 and went to extra time. Albert Kidomo (United States Sports Academy) scored the eventual game-winner for the Union in the 105th minute and Jeffrey Girukwishaka (Southern Union State Community College) added one for good measure in the 120th minute.

Bynoe put the home team ahead in the 19th minute, but the Battle Lions got an equalizer from Braeden Paul (Enterprise State Community College) 15 minutes later.

Union midfielder Noah Miller earned yellow cards in the 50th and 57th minutes, earning a red card and automatic ejection, leaving U10FC shorthanded the remainder of the match.

The Battle Lions finished the season 8-2-1.

UNION 10 FC — Sam MacDonald; Guido Solaro, Austin Davis, Calum Kearney, Justin Long; Alejo Binaghi, Kipper Miller; Noah Miller; Jeb Scarbrough, Josh Bynoe, Lucas Ros. BENCH — Albert Kidomo, Grantham Morgan, Jameson Bryant, Jeffrey Girukwishaka, Lucas Joiner, Mauricio Valdes Miranda, Maximillian Reger, Ramez Hasan

TALLAHASSEE — Allbranly Gue, Austin Jepson, Bennett Mitchell, Braeden Paul, Connor Parry, Diego Sanchez, Dillon Hunter, Jakob Santiago, Julian Marcos. BENCH — Aaron Sindhar, Caleb Elistene, Erik De Kok, Jiang Ziyue, Mirai Sato, Mounir Guebre, Zuri Robertson.

GOALS — Bynoe, U10, 19’; Paul, TSC, 34’; Kidomo, U10, 105’; Girukwishaka, U10, 120’

YELLOW CARDS — U10: Davis, N. Miller (2), Kearney. TSC: Parry, Paul, Mitchell

RED CARDS — N. Miller, U10, 57’

Pensacola 3, Gaffa FC 0

The Pelicans almost casually dispatched Gaffa FC in its conference semifinal Wednesday at Ashton Brosnaham Stadium. PFC beat the Mississippi team twice in the regular season, 4-2 in the Magnolia State and 3-0 in Florida, so confidence wasn’t an issue. Elliott Rimmer (Mississippi College), a veteran center back for Gaffa, was ejected in the 19th minute for hitting a Pensacola player while fighting for position on a corner kick. That left the visitors to play a man down for more than 70 minutes, and the Pelicans noticeably played with less urgency. Logan said they seemed less aggressive because they were patiently trying to find a way through Gaffa’s condensed defense.

“Every game and opponent will always be different,” he said. “The opponent will present different challenges that you have to be able to deal with and manage. Our goal is to always control the tempo of the game. That will mean at times being patient and waiting for the right moments to execute. Gaffa in particular was playing in a low defense block, so it wasn’t always easy to penetrate. The guys were really disciplined and had to pick the right opportunities during the game.”

Midfielder Campbell Young (Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University) scored the eventual game-winner for Pensacola in the 14th minute, captain Michael Lightbourne (Missouri State University) converted an assist from Baylen Young (Davidson College) in the 40th and Axel Gravel (Georgia Southwestern University) made it 3-0 in the 90th minute with another assist from Baylen Young.

Gaffa ended its season with 6-5 overall record.

PENSACOLA FC — Gabriel Mendoza; Aaron Boateng, Isaac Machado, Joao Ribeiro dos Santos, Rodrigo Bacci; Axel Gravel, Campbell Young, Ignacio Miranda; Baylen Young, Josiah Fontenot, Michael Lightbourne. BENCH — Anthony Ciccarello, Diogo Bastos, Elijah Lacey, Isaac Kamara, Max Pena Bu, Restin Kabambala, Sebastian Ruiz-Hurst

GAFFA FC — Braxton Rials; Graham Harris, John Rimmer, Tom Cosgrave, Cameron Messer; James Smith, Tripp Alexander; Lawson Harvey, Will Ballenger, Michael Baty; Hardy Lewis. BENCH — Ayoub Hammani, Ethan Pratt, Jack Purvis, Lane Kirk, Seamus Murphy

GOALS — C. Young, PFC, 14’; Lightbourne, PFC, 40’ from B. Young; Gravel, PFC, 90’ from B. Young

YELLOW CARDS — PFC: Miranda, Bacci. GFC: Alexander, Pratt, Lewis

RED CARDS — Rimmer, GFC, 19’

Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference:

Semifinal results:

Naples United 3-1 Club de Lyon

Jacksonville Armada U23 2-1 New Orleans Jesters

Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference Championship: Jacksonville Armada U23 vs Naples United

Credit Jacksonville Armada

Saturday, July 12 at 7:00pm EST

EWC Community Field and Athletic Stadium (Jacksonville , FL; Capacity 5000)

In 2024, these two teams met in the conference semifinals, with Jacksonville coming out on top 2-0 (they lost to Columbus United in the championship). This time they'll butt heads in the conference championship game. Jacksonville finished the regular season just two points ahead of Naples, and are the top seed. But Naples handed the Armada their only loss this year, beating them 1-0. They came through the season evenly matched on goals for (35) and goals against (9). Count on this being a close game that goes down to the wire.

Southeast Conference:

Semifinal results:

Hickory FC vs Port City FC: The game couldn't be played due to severe weather. When all was said and done, Port City FC made the decision to forfeit.

Appalachian FC 6-1 Charlottetowne Hops FC. A lightning delay only slowed them down. (Luke Frost with a brace)

Southeast Conference Championship: Hickory FC vs Appalachian FC

Credit Hickory FC

Saturday, July 12 at 7:00pm EST

Moretz Stadium (Hickory, NC; Capacity 7200)

This game is a repeat of the conference championship game from 2024, which was won by Hickory FC, 3-0 (Hickory was then eliminated in the regionals by Columbus United). Both of this year's regular season meetings went to Hickory, 1-0. That means Appalachian has lost to Hickory three times in a row, dating back to last season. The folks from Boone would like to break the spell and move forward to the next round. Both teams are in great form, but I would give Hickory a leg up for playing at home.

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Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference:

Final regular season results:

FC Florida 3-7 Club de Lyon (hat trick by Matias Pourrain)

New Orleans Jesters 1-3 Jacksonville Armada U23

Semifinal 1: Naples United vs Club de Lyon

Credit Club de Lyon

Wednesday, July 9 at 7:00pm EST

Josh N Allen Family Stadium (Naples, FL; Capacity 1100)

These two teams faced each other just once during the regular season, and that match ended in a 2-2 draw. CdL comes in as road warriors after playing just one match at home this entire season. Naples has been very solid all season on both ends of the field, and had some time to rest and prepare leading into this match. That time should be the difference-maker. Prediction: Naples wins 3-2.

Semifinal 2: Jacksonville Armada U23 vs New Orleans Jesters

Credit New Orleans Jesters

Wednesday, July 9 at 7:00pm EST

EWC Community Field and Athletic Stadium (Jacksonville , FL; Capacity 5000)

We'll start here by addressing the elephant in the room: this match was pre-determined by special league rules prior to the start of the season. With that out of the way, it's important to acknowledge that the Jesters also earned their place here under the rules commonly applied to Summer Leagues. A quick glance at the final standings shows them in fifth place on points. But they played fewer matches due to conference geography, and PPG (commonly used by most Summer leagues) has them in third place.

These two teams faced each other twice during the regular season. The first match was a 0-0 draw, and the second (this past weekend) was a 3-1 win for the Armada. Jacksonville has had a very strong season, and will be favored to win and move on to the conference championship. But the Jesters have stayed in form by playing friendlies outside of league play. Prediction: Jesters win in a shootout after a draw and overtime.

Final Regular Season Standings

1. Jacksonville Armada U23: 25 Points (+26 GD, 10 GP)

2. Naples United: 23 Points (+26 GD, 10 GP)

3. Club de Lyon: 16 Points (+15 GD, 10 GP)

4. FC Florida: 11 Points (-3 GD, 10 GP)

5. New Orleans Jesters: 10 Points (0 GD, 6 GP)

6. Miami Dutch Lions: 9 Points (-16 GD, 10 GP)

7. PSC Florida: 3 points (-8 GD, 4 GP)

8. Global Soccer Pathways : 2 Points (-40 GD, 10 GP)

Southeast Conference:

Final regular season results:

Greenville United 1-1 Port City FC

Bristol Rhythm AFC 0-0 Hickory FC

865 Alliance 3-5 Appalachian FC

Semifinal 1: Hickory FC vs Port City FC

Credit Hickory FC

Wednesday, July 9 at 7:00pm EST

Moretz Stadium (Hickory, NC; Capacity 7200)

Hickory enters the conference playoffs ranked third nationally in the NPSL power rankings, and for good reason. They ran through the regular season undefeated, and have averaged scoring 3 goals per game. Port City have scored right at 2 goals per game themselves, but have conceded the same. The regular season meeting between these two went to Hickory 4-1. Prediction: Hickory wins this one 4-2.

Semifinal 2: Appalachian FC vs Charlottetowne Hops FC

Credit Appalachian FC

Wednesday, July 9 at 7:00pm EST

Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex (Boone, NC; Capacity 1000)

This is a tough match to predict. In general, Appalachian played a lot of close games - but the regular season match against Charlottetowne wasn't one of them. Just two weeks ago, App FC put their big foot down on the ‘towne, winning 5-1. The other noteworthy thing is that Charlottetowne picked up the majority of their points from the teams lower in the table. The other side of that is they played close matches against all of the playoff teams, other than the thumping from Appalachian. Prediction: this will be a surprisingly tough game for App FC, but they'll come out on top 2-1.

Final Regular Season Standings:

1. Hickory FC: 28 Points (+24 GD, 10 GP)

2. Appalachian FC: 21 Points (+14 GD, 10 GP)

3. Charlottetowne Hops FC: 16 Points (+5 GD, 10 GP)

4. Port City FC: 16 Points (+1 GD, 10 GP)

5. Greenville United: 12 Points (0 GD, 10 GP)

6. Bristol Rhythm AFC: 11 Points (-5 GD, 10 GP)

7. 865 Alliance: 8 Points (-14 GD, 10 GP)

8. Burlington United : 2 Point (-25 GD, 10 GP)

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Alex Gravel (Georgia Southwestern University), from Dijon, France, scored a hat trick Thursday in the final regular-season match of his first season playing for PFC.

Pelicans nip Lions for East crown, to face Gaffa in playoffs

Pensacola FC snatched a division title from Tallahassee SC in its final regular season match Thursday, routing Sowegans SC 11-0 to go two points ahead of the Battle Lions.

The win clinched The League for Clubs Gulf Coast Conference East Division crown and ensured that PFC (9-1-0, 27 points) will host a conference semifinal match. The Pelicans host West Division runners-up Gaffa FC (6-4-0, 18 points) Wednesday at Ashton Brosnaham Stadium. The Battle Lions (8-1-1, 25 points) will play West winner Union 10 FC (9-1, 27 points) Wednesday at Village Park in Daphne, Ala.

The highest remaining seed will host the conference championship match Saturday or Sunday, July 12 or 13.

Entering the final weekend of the regular season, Pensacola held a slim two-point lead against its in-state rival. Earlier in the year, the teams split their Florida Panhandle 850 Cup matches, each winning on the other’s home pitch — Tally edging PFC 1-0 in Pensacola and the Pelicans claiming the 850 Cup with a 2-0 win at Gene Cox Stadium.

Tallahassee beat East cellar-dweller Valdosta FC (1-9-0, 3 points) 7-1 Wednesday, edging into first place one point ahead of the Pelicans. Pensacola needed a win or draw to claim the crown, but their shellacking of third-place Sowegans (3-6-1, 10 points) left nothing to chance.

Players’ commitment guides PFC success

Pensacola FC coach Dean Logan credited his players’ attitude and commitment to the team and its vision for the Pelicans’ success.

“Yes, the guys have been tremendous all season,” Logan said. “Despite the game-day roster, they have been able to stick to our principles and achieve our team goals and objectives…. I would say that the attitude has been excellent.

“Any coach will tell you how difficult it is to manage personalities and keep everyone happy. All the guys are always ready to play and give their all when called on. Some guys have had to step in and have done a great job when given the opportunity. They all know that as a club we are trying to achieve something special, and they have been very professional about it. So, credit to them, as they are hungry.

“(Now) we get a few days off and get ready for this important match on Wednesday.”

GOAT of the Gulf Coast

Pelicans’ captain Michael Lightbourne, 31, is from Shalimar, Fla., and played at Choctawhatchee High School in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., and at Missouri State University. The attacking midfielder, whom Logan calls “the GOAT of the Gulf Coast,” scored twice and dished out three assists against Sowegans. He said the team is ready for what’s ahead.

“I think the team is rolling good, tonight felt very good,” he told team owner Justin Witkin after the match during an interview posted on the team’s Instagram site, pensacolafc. “We made a statement tonight; we just have to keep it going heading into the playoffs.”

Axel Gravel (Georgia Southwestern University), a first-year Pelican from Dijon, France, scored a hat trick and added an assist for PFC, while Josiah Fontenot (University of West Florida) had two goals and an assist and Anthony Ciccarello (Florida Gulf Coast University) scored and added an assist. Retsin Kabambala (Cumberland University) and Max Pena-Bu (University of West Florida) each scored, Marcus Pereira (University of West Florida) added two assists, and Baylen Young (Davidson College) contributed an assist.

Facing a familiar foe

The Pelicans have played Wednesday’s semifinal opponent, Gaffa FC from suburban Jackson, Miss., twice already this season, winning 4-2 in the Magnolia State and 3-0 at Ashton Brosnaham.

“Gaffa is a good team,” Logan said. “We know that this match will be challenging…. Although we have faced them before, (and) we are aware of their threats, they are also aware of our threats, and I know they will be a tough opponent.

“As for advantage or disadvantage, it can be both. We just have to be ready. We are not taking them for granted and just have to make sure we execute once we have the opportunity.”

Logan said the key to playoff success is “just to be focused and disciplined for 90-plus minutes,” adding the coaching cliche that the team that makes the fewest mistakes has the best chance to win.

“We want that to be us,” he said.

Team leaders

Bruno Marques (University of the Cumberlands) leads the Pelicans with nine goals, Fontenot has six and Gravel and Rodrigo Bacci (University of West Florida) have five apiece, according to Logan. Gravel also has a team-best seven assists and Bacci has four. Marcus Pereira (University of West Florida), a defensive midfielder, quarterbacks the team, completing 85 percent of his passes.

Defensively, Pensacola has allowed just five goals in 10 matches (compared to 42 scored). Logan credited goalkeepers Gabriel Mendoza (Concordia University of Nebraska) and Cooper Jennings (St. Joseph’s University) and defenders Aaron Boateng (Lincoln University of Missouri), Joao Ribeiro (University of West Florida) and Rodrigo for their mastery winning the ball in duels.

TLfC Gulf Coast Conference

Final regular season standings

EAST DIVISION

1. Pensacola FC, 9-1-0, 27 points, +37

2. Tallahassee SC, 8-1-1, 25 points, +36

3. Sowegans SC, 3-6-1, 10 POINTS, -25

4. Valdosta FC, 1-9-0, 3 points, -33

WEST DIVISION

1. Union 10 FC, 9-1-0, 27 points, +29

2. Gaffa FC, 6-4-0, 18, +18

*3. PFC Academy, 3-5-1, 10 points, -10

4. Gulf Coast United FC, 3-7-0, 9 points, -19

*5. AFC Mobile, 0-8-1, 1 point, -33

* AFC Mobile is scheduled to host Pensacola FC Academy at 7:15 p.m. tonight at Davidson High School in Mobile, Ala. The final regular season match will not affect the divisions’ final standings.

BRSC Capitals vs LA Krewe Rush

Image credit: BRSC Capitals (flickz.by.juju)

BRSC got on the board early, from an 18th minute goal by Juan Dorta. Krewe would equalize just a few minutes later on a goal from Eden Schlebach in the 26th minute. LA Krewe was looking good to get into halftime tied up, but BRSC got a second goal just before the break to go in with a 2-1 lead. The Capitals scored again early in the second half and never looked back. They tacked on one more near the end to come away with a comfortable 4-1 win. They move on the host the Championship Game on the 12th.

Central Louisiana FC vs Mississippi Blues FC

Image credit: Central Louisiana FC; Jude Iles Graphics

This game had all of the tension that was missing from the other semifinal. Every indicator said this would be a hard-fought, defensive battle, and that's how it played out. Both sides struggled to break through until Central Louisiana found a way to get one into the back of the net in the 33rd minute on a goal from Damian Kunc. They would hold on to that lone goal to take a 1-0 lead into halftime. The Blues made some substitutions that paid off, as Javion Roberts equalized on a penalty kick in the 58th minute. Neither side could find a way to get ahead, and regular time ended locked up 1-1. Central Louisiana took the lead right away in extra time, with striker Juno Mbounguo converting a PK in the 92nd minute. That would be enough, and Central hung on to win 2-1.

The Championship Game

I'll have a preview next week for the big game, which will be played on Saturday, July 12 at 7:15.

Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference:

Game of the Week: FC Florida vs Club de Lyon

Credit NPSL (FC Florida)

Saturday, July 5 at 5:00pm EST

The Pine School (Hobe Sound, FL; Capacity 500)

This match will decide the final place in the playoffs for the conference. A win or draw would put CdL through to face Naples United in one of the semi-finals (the other will see the Armada take on the Jesters). The first meeting this season saw CdL win 1-0. FC Florida has been very inconsistent this season, but can claim a win over Naples United. A win for Florida will see them jump over Club de Lyon, and into the playoffs.

Last Week’s Results:

Naples United 1-0 Jacksonville Armada

Club de Lyon 6-0 Miami Dutch Lions

Global Soccer Pathways 0-9 FC Florida

Miami Dutch Lions 1-2 Naples United

This Week:

New Orleans Jesters vs Jacksonville Armada: (Saturday, July 5 at 7:00 CST)

This will be both a rematch, and a preview of one of the conference semifinals. Their previous match was a 0-0 draw, and the Jesters should be considered a small favorite at home. The Jesters have played a limited NPSL schedule due to the unfriendly geography of the conference. But they've stayed fresh by playing friendlies against nearby clubs from other leagues. Jacksonville is coming in off of a rare loss (against Naples). Will they lose two in a row?

Standings:

1. Naples United: 23 Points (+26 GD, 10 GP)

2. Jacksonville Armada: 22 Points (+24 GD, 8 GP)

3. Club de Lyon: 13 Points (+11 GD, 9 GP)

4. FC Florida: 11 Points (+1 GD, 9 GP)

5. New Orleans Jesters: 10 Points (+2 GD, 5 GP)

6. Miami Dutch Lions: 9 Points (-16 GD, 10 GP)

7. PSC Florida: 3 points (-8 GD, 4 GP)

8. Global Soccer Pathways : 2 Points (-40 GD, 10 GP)

Southeast Conference:

Game of the Week: Greenville United vs Port City

Credit Greenville United

Wednesday, July 2 at 7:00pm EST

John Paul II Athletic Stadium (Greenville, NC; Capacity 1090)

Last week saw Charlottetowne Hops get a big win to propel them into a playoff spot. Port City has a chance to jump over them if they can get a win over Greenville. A draw would leave Port City in fourth place, but still in the playoffs. Greenville United will have something to say about it. If Greenville can beat Port City by two goals or more, they'll claim a spot in the playoffs. If they were to win by only one goal, they'll tie Port on points, GD, and head-to-head. There's a solid chance for some chaos here.

Last Week's Results:

Bristol Rhythm 3-6 Charlottetowne Hops FC

Port City FC 1-4 Hickory FC

Greenville United 4-0 Burlington United (Oliver Jarvis with a hat trick)

Appalachian FC 3-0 Bristol Rhythm AFC

Burlington United 0-0 865 Alliance

Next Week's Games:

Bristol Rhythm AFC vs Hickory FC: ( Saturday, July 5 at 7:00 EST)

Hickory has first place locked up solid. They can easily afford to give some playing time to some people, and cut down on the risk lf injuries headed into the playoffs. Bristol has a real chance to land an upset and move up in the table for a better finishing position. The previous meeting was won by Hickory, 4-2.

865 Alliance vs Appalachian FC: (Saturday, July 5 at 7:00 EST)

Appalachian should safely hold on to the second place position in the conference, no matter the outcome of this game. There's still a mathematical chance for Port City to catch them, but it's extraordinarily unlikely. As a point of interest, the first meeting between these two teams ended up being very close. Appalachian won that one 2-1.

Standings:

1. Hickory FC: 27 Points (+24 GD, 9 GP)

2. Appalachian FC: 18 Points (+12 GD, 9 GP)

3. Charlottetowne Hops FC: 16 Points (+5 GD, 10 GP)

4. Port City FC: 15 Points (+1 GD, 9 GP)

5. Greenville United: 12 Points (0 GD, 9 GP)

6. Bristol Rhythm AFC: 10 Points (-5 GD, 9 GP)

7. 865 Alliance: 8 Points (-12 GD, 9 GP)

8. Burlington United : 2 Point (-25 GD, 10 GP)

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Image credit: BRSC Capitals

Game 1 - BRSC Capitals vs LA Krewe Rush: (Saturday, June 28 at 7:15)

BRSC has been the dominant team in the league all season (undefeated), and it's no surprise that they finished at the top of the table in the East. They'll be hosting LA Krewe Rush, who used a strong performance in their final game to hop over Shreveport United to take second place in the West. LA Krewe have scored 10 goals in their last two games, and will look to carry that momentum into the playoffs. BRSC will be the favorites at home, and will be hoping to move on, expecting to host the championship game.

Final East Standings:

1. BRSC Capitals: 18 Points (+32 GD, 6 GP)

2. Mississippi Blues FC: 14 Points (+12 GD, 6 GP)

3. Hattiesburg FC: 6 Points (+4 GD, 6 GP)

4. Invictus FC: (-50 GD, 6 GP)

Image credit: Central Louisiana FC

Game 2 - Central Louisiana FC vs Mississippi Blues FC: (Saturday, June 28 at 7:15)

This is a tough match-up to predict. Central LA won the West with a comfortable five point lead, but with a goal differential of +1. Their four wins were by single goals, and they took an 0-3 loss against Twin Cities that wiped out most of their differential. On the other side, Mississippi Blues also won four games, but almost all of their differential is due to running up the score against Invictus (+14 against them). By all accounts, this should be a very tight game.

Final West Standings:

1. Central Louisiana FC: 13 Points (+1 GD, 6 GP)

2. LA Krewe Rush: 8 Points (+4 GD, 6 GP)

3. Shreveport United: 8 Points (+2 GD, 6 GP)

4. Twin Cities FC: 4 Points (-7 GD, 6 GP)

Last week's results:

Mississippi Blues 2-0 Hattiesburg FC

Invictus FC 0-8 BRSC Capitals (Brennan LeBlanc hat trick)

LA Krewe Rush 6-2 Twin Cities FC (Munir Poca hat trick)

Shreveport United 1-2 Central Louisiana FC

Invictus FC 0-6 Hattiesburg FC

Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference:

Game of the Week: Naples United vs Jacksonville Armada U23

Credit Jacksonville Armada; Mark Hrvojevic pictured

Saturday, June 28 at 7:00pm EST

John N Allen Family Stadium (Naples, FL; Capacity 1,100)

This match-up showcases the top two teams in the conference, and will be the only time they face each other in the regular season. Jacksonville has first place locked up, but this could easily be a preview for what's to come in the playoffs. Both teams have been scoring plenty of goals, and defenses will surely be stretched thin. I'll give the nod here to Naples at home in a high-scoring game.

Last Week’s Results:

Naples United 2-2 Club de Lyon

Global Soccer Pathways 1-1 Miami Dutch Lions

Jacksonville Armada U23 6-0 FC Florida (Mark Hrvojevic scored four goals)

FC Florida 0-2 Miami Dutch Lions

Global Soccer Pathways 0-3 Jacksonville Armada U23

This Week:

Club de Lyon vs Miami Dutch Lions (Saturday, June 28 at 4:00pm EST)

First thing that needs to be noted is that this will be CdL's final “home” game, and will be played at Miami's home field. Clearly there's an underlying issue, as Club de Lyon only played their first match of the season at their intended home. CdL shouldn't have any trouble getting three points here. Whatever is going on off the field is unfortunate, because Club de Lyon continues to field a good team despite the difficulties. A winner here would have a leg up on getting into the playoffs.

Global Soccer Pathways vs FC Florida (Saturday, June 28 at 4:00pm EST)

FC Florida should have the edge here, but a draw last week against Miami would call that into question. The first match between these two sides went 3-1 in favor of FC Florida. At home. GSP might pull off a mild upset and get their first win of the season.

Miami Dutch Lions vs Naples United (Tuesday, July 1 at 7:00 pm EST)

Miami is coming in off of a mild upset win over FC Florida, and Naples will be coming into this one off of a short turnaround. If Naples loses to Jacksonville on Saturday, then this could be an upset in the making. After a rough start to the season, Miami could also pass CdL for a playoff position.

Standings:

1. Jacksonville Armada: 22 Points (+25 GD, 8 GP)

2. Naples United: 17 Points (+24 GD, 8 GP)

3. New Orleans Jesters: 10 Points (+2 GD, 5 GP)

4. Club de Lyon: 10 Points (+5 GD, 8 GP)

5. Miami Dutch Lions: 9 Points (-9 GD, 8 GP)

6. FC Florida: 8 Points (-8 GD, 8 GP)

7. PSC Florida: 3 points (-8 GD, 4 GP)

8. Global Soccer Pathways : 2 Points (-31 GD, 9 GP)

Southeast Conference:

Apologies for the missing coverage of the Southeast Conference last week. Below is last week’s scores and a quick recap on how that affects the standings and playoff picture.

Port City FC 2-1 Greenville United

Burlington United 1-3 Bristol Rhythm AFC

Hickory FC 4-1 865 Alliance

Charlottetowne Hops FC 1-5 Appalachian FC

865 Alliance 2-1 Port City FC

With Port City picking up a win and a loss last week, and Appalachian FC grabbing a huge away win against the Hops, both clubs are tied on points for 2nd in the Conference. However, Appalachian hold the head-to-head tiebreaker from their 4-1 opening-season win, so these next two weeks will prove huge in the hunt for a home playoff game (a game that will likely be against each other). Hickory’s win kept their unbeaten season alive, and a record crowd of over 5,000 fans saw them clinch the regular season conference title. Meanwhile, Bristol’s win against lowly Burlington means they are only 3 points behind the Hops for the final playoff spot with 2 games in hand!

Game of the Week: Bristol Rhythm AFC vs. Charlottetowne Hops FC

Wednesday, July 2 at 7:00pm EST

Gene Malcolm Stadium (Bristol, VA; Capacity 4,000)

Battle for the 4th and Final Playoff Spot

Speaking of Bristol and the Hops, they face off on Wednesday in what is sure to be the match that decides their seasons and playoff hopes. This is Bristol’s most winnable game left this season, as their two games in hand will be against Appalachian FC and Hickory FC. While they beat Appalachian earlier in the year and had a close loss to Hickory, it will still be difficult to get results against the Top 2 teams in the conference. They have a nice home advantage against a Hops side that will need the win in their last game for extra security and an above .500 record. Both sides have been inconsistent in front of goal and defending the net, so this matchup will be decided by which players can step up when the lights are brightest.

This Week:

Port City FC vs. Hickory FC (Saturday, June 28 at 6:00pm EST): Hickory may rest players before the playoffs and only play for the pride of being potential invincibles, but their talent will still cause problems for Port City in Wilmington. It was a bad loss for the home team away against 865 Alliance in a match which they should’ve won to go second. Now, they’ll need to see if their struggling defense can stand tall and win by out-scoring the opponent.

Greenville United vs. Burlington United (Saturday, June 28 at 7:00pm EST): Greenville still have an outside chance of the playoffs. With two wins in their final two games, first against Burlington and second against Port City, and if Bristol beat Charlottetowne but lose their two games in hand (there is a situation where one draw and one loss would be fine, as well, but that involves goal differential as they split the H2H series), they’re in as the 4 seed. It’s entirely possible, so they can be expected to take a big 3 points against the winless expansion side.

Appalachian FC vs. Bristol Rhythm AFC (Saturday, June 28 at 7:00pm EST): Bristol’s big match before the Game of the Week sees them travel to Boone, North Carolina, where the rowdy fans of Appalachian FC await them. The club did beat Appalachian earlier in the year, but with goalscoring threats Jaron Oughterson and Luke Frost in good form and the club on a 2-game win streak, it will be hard to stop Appalachian from winning to stay in second place.

Burlington United vs. 865 Alliance (Wednesday, July 2 at 7:00pm EST): A battle for pride between the bottom two teams in the conference is the best opportunity for Burlington to pick up a win in front of their home fans, who have shown up in good numbers throughout the inaugural season. United plays closer games with home advantage, and 865 is yet to even get a single result on the road. Big upset potential here.

Standings:

1. Hickory FC: 24 Points (+21 GD, 8 GP)

2. Appalachian FC: 15 Points (+9 GD, 8 GP)

3. Port City FC: 15 Points (+4 GD, 8 GP)

4. Charlottetowne Hops FC: 13 Points (+5 GD, 9 GP)

5. Bristol Rhythm AFC: 10 Points (+1 GD, 7 GP)

6. Greenville United: 8 Points (-4 GD, 8GP)

7. 865 Alliance: 7 Points (-12 GD, 8 GP)

8. Burlington United : 1 Point (-21 GD, 8 GP)

Hickory FC are regular season champions!

Burlington United are eliminated from playoff contention. There is a scenario in which 865 Alliance win out and tie on points for the 4th playoff spot, but their goal differential (a tiebreaker) being so poor means they’re practically eliminated, as well.

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Don’t look now but Appalachian FC are moving up the NPSL Southeast Conference standings. Following Saturday’s action which saw Appalachian take three points home after a dominant 5-1 win, they find themselves in third place on 15 points and a goal difference of plus nine. Following their loss, Chalottetowne sits in fourth place on 13 points. It’s no secret that the southeast has been action packed this season and it’s shaping up to be a close finish at the end of the season.

Looking at the lineup, it is similar to ones we’ve seen this season. Walker, Reece, Applewhaite and Becerra got the nod once again. Joining them at kickoff were Dos Santos Haesler, Oughterson, and Frost. Diakos, Doyle, Schierholz and Stone rounded out the starting XI.

Once again, no complaints from me. Getting Oughterson back is major. I think having him and Frost gives Appalachian two threats on offense that have the ability to change the game either by getting goals or setting up teammates. I think Appalachian is a strong team overall, if one player is unable to go, the coaches have many options that can step up without missing a beat or disrupting the chemsitry.

Getting into the match, both teams struggled to break a 0-0 tie in the first half. However Luke Frost was able to find the back of the net in the 31st minute putting the away side up 1-0. When the halftime whistle blew, Appalachian held a 1-0 lead. Halftime is the perfect opportunity to discuss tactics and make changes. While the teams were regrouping, Head Coach Dale Parker lit a fire under his men as Campbell Reece doubled the lead in the 50th minute. The spark was lit as Jaron Oughterson added another goal in the 56th minute. 3-0 in favor of the visitors. 

Both teams fought hard to find the back of the net for the next 30 minutes before Ahiro Nakamae broke through in the 83rd minute. Chase Gilley would add the 5th goal five minutes later as he put one in the back of the net in the 88th minute. 5-0 in favor of Appalachian. The home side would finally find the back of the net with a goal in extra time. When the final whistle blew, Appalachian FC headed back to Boone with three points.

The boys are back in action on Saturday as they welcome Bristol Rhythm for a 7:00 pm kickoff for the last regular season home game at Ted Mack.

Thank you for reading and remember to stay locked in with the Southeast Soccer Report for you coverage of the NPSL and Appalachian FC.

CREDIT: Valdosta FC

‘Other’ Azaleas bloom late, place originals in their shade

Christian Mata scored the second of his two goals in the 87th minute Saturday, breaking a 2-2 tie and Valdosta FC’s oh-for-its-existence losing streak.

Valdosta (1-7-0, three points) earned the program’s first win, 3-2, against Pensacola FC Academy (3-3-1, 10 points) on its home pitch at Lowndes Park in Hahira, Ga.

The win left AFC Mobile (0-6-2, two points) as the last winless team in The League for Cups’ Gulf Coast Conference. Mobile and Valdosta are just two of several communities who pride themselves on being “the Azalea City,” and both teams feature azalea blossoms in their logos.

Unfortunately, they play in different divisions within the Gulf Coast Conference and weren’t scheduled to play this season. Under the current format, a proper Azalea Derby seems unlikely. But because the East Division only has four clubs, some cross-division matches are necessary. It could happen.

Exavier Ali gave the Pelicans Academy the lead in the third minute, but Valdosta responded quickly: Jesus Daniel and Mata both scored in the sixth minute.

Tun Kagoro tied the match in the 30th minute.

U10FC catches Gaffa

Union 10 FC (6-1-0, 18 points) took six points from two matches this week, passing Gaffa FC (5-4-0, 15 points) for the West Division lead. U10 beat the AFC Mobile Azaleas 6-1 and Sowegans 3-1 at Leesburg, Ga.

Gaffa has played nine matches, two more than Union 10. It hosts Pensacola FC Academy in its last game of the regular-season on Saturday.

With two games more than Gaffa left to play, Union 10 has a distinct advantage in the division title chase. The Daphne team plays home-and-away matches against Gulf Coast United and finishes the regular season against Pensacola Academy at home.

Pelicans gonna Pelican

Pensacola FC (7-1-0, 21 points) is the only team already qualified for the playoffs and has a comfortable four-point lead in the East Division, but with two matches left, Tallahassee SC (5-1-2, 17 points) theoretically could pass the Pelicans.

That seems unlikely. Pensacola, refreshed with a week off after avenging its only loss of the season with a 2-0 win in Tallahassee, dispatched likely playoff foe Gaffa FC 3-0 at home. Tallahassee’s Battle Lions, on the other hand, are winless since losing to Pensacola with draws against Sowegans and last place AFC Mobile.

The Pelicans host Valdosta on Sunday and finish the regular season against Sowegans July 5 in Leesburg, Va. Tallahassee plays at Sowegans on Sunday and hosts Valdosta on July 2.

STANDINGS

EAST DIVISION

1. Pensacola FC, 7-1-0, 21 points, +25

2. Tallahassee SC, 5-1-2, 17 points, +17

3. Sowegans SC, 3-4-1, 10 points, -5

4. Valdosta FC, 1-7-0, 3 points, -27

WEST DIVISION

1. Union 10 FC, 6-1-0, 18 points, +14

2. Gaffa FC, 5-4-0, 15 points, +12

3. PFC Academy, 3-3-1, 10 points, +1

4. Gulf Coast United, 2-5-0, 6 points, -11

5. AFC Mobile, 0-6-2, 2 points, -27

WEEK 7 SCORES

(Times CDT)

Wednesday, June 18

• Union 10 FC 6, AFC Mobile, 1

Saturday, June 21

• Sowegans SC 1, Union 10 FC 3

• Valdosta FC 3, PFC Academy 2

• AFC Mobile 0, Tallahassee SC, 0

• Pensacola FC 3, Gaffa FC 0

WEEK 8 MATCHES

(Times CDT)

Wednesday, June 25

• Gulf Coast United vs. Union 10 FC, 7 p.m., Herbert Wilson Stadium, Gulfport, Miss.

Saturday, June 28

• Sowegans SC vs. Tallahassee SC, 6:15 p.m., Lee County Sports Complex, Leesburg, Ga.

• Gaffa FC VS. PFC Academy, 7:15 p.m., Stribling Field at St. Andrew’s Episcopal, Ridgeland, Miss.

• Gulf Coast United FC vs. AFC Mobile, 7:15 p.m., Herbert Wilson Stadium, Gulfport, Miss.

Sunday, June 29

• Valdosta FC vs. Pensacola FC, 3 p.m., North Lowndes Park, Hahira, Ga.

WEEK 9 MATCHES

(Times CDT)

Monday, June 30

• Union 10 FC vs. Gulf Coast United FC, 5 p.m., Village Park, Daphne, Ala.

Wednesday, July 2

• Union 10 FC vs. PFC Academy, 5 p.m., Village Park, Daphne, Ala.

• Tallahassee SC vs. Valdosta FC, 6 p.m., Gene Cox Stadium, Tallahassee, Fla.

Saturday, July 5

• AFC Mobile vs. PFC Academy, 7:15 p.m., Davidson High School, Mobile, Ala.

• Pensacola FC vs. Sowegans SC, 7:15 p.m., Ashton Brosnaham Stadium, Pensacola, Fla.

In the West, Central Louisiana has secured a spot in the playoffs, but Shreveport United could possibly overtake them for first place. On the other hand, a Shreveport United loss could open the door for LA Krewe to sneak into the playoffs. Twin Cities is the only team in the West officially eliminated, but they can play spoiler.

Results from last week

BRSC Capitals 4-2 Mississippi Blues

Invictus FC 0-7 Mississippi Blues FC (result was reported late; from Friday, June 13)

Central Louisiana 4-4 LA Krewe Rush (Ellison Haynes with a brace for Krewe)

Twin Cities FC 1-1 Shreveport United

This week's games:

Feature Match

Image credit: Hattiesburg FC

Mississippi Blues vs Hattiesburg FC: (Sunday, June 22 at 5:00)

This is a must-win game for Hattiesburg to have a chance to get into the playoffs. Hattiesburg has a game in hand, which will be against Invictus in the final match of the regular season (almost surely a win). A draw or win for the Blues will secure second place, and a playoff berth. The first meeting this season saw the Blues win 2-0, and they'll be the slight favorite to win again, and stake their claim to a spot in the playoffs.

The rest of the matches for the week:

Invictus FC vs BRSC Capitals: (Saturday, June 21 at 7:15)

BRSC won the first meeting 13-0, and has nothing to gain by handing out a beat-down. They're likely to give some minutes for some players that haven't gotten as much playing time.

LA Krewe Rush vs Twin Cities FC: (Saturday, June 21 at 7:15)

Twin Cities had a slow start to the season, but have gotten a win and a draw from their last two games. LA Krewe must win to keep playoff hopes alive. I feel like Twin Cities will get points here, and be the spoiler.

Shreveport United vs Central Louisiana FC: (Saturday, June 21 at 7:15)

Shreveport can jump over Central LA into first place with a win. Central is holding onto first place, with a 0 GD. Also of note is that they've conceded seven goals in the past two games. This could be a wild one.

Invictus FC vs Hattiesburg FC: (Wednesday, June 25 at 5:30)

This will be the final game of the regular season, and Hattiesburg's motivation may be dependent on the outcome of their match against the Blues. Invictus has yet to score a goal this season, and would love to end their first season on a high note.

East Standings:

1. BRSC Capitals: 15 Points (+24 GD, 5 GP)

2. Mississippi Blues FC: 9 Points (+12 GD, 5 GP)

3. Hattiesburg FC: 3 Points (0 GD, 4 GP)

4. Invictus FC: (-36 GD, 4 GP)

West Standings:

1. Central Louisiana FC: 10 Points (0 GD, 5 GP)

2. Shreveport United: 8 Points (3 GD, 5 GP)

3. LA Krewe Rush: 5 Points (0 GD, 5 GP)

4. Twin Cities FC: 4 Points (-3 GD, 5 GP)

Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference:

Game of the Week: Naples United vs Club de Lyon

Credit Club de Lyon

Saturday, June 21 at 7:00pm EST

John N Allen Family Stadium (Naples, FL; Capacity 1,100)

The playoff picture is starting to come into focus. Jacksonville and New Orleans are guaranteed a conference semifinal appearance, per a league exception. So, the real race is to see who will be in the other semifinal. Naples United is currently holding on to a spot, but they need to beat CdL to comfortably lock in. Club de Lyon is currently lined up for the other spot, but their position is not secure. FC Florida is just behind them with a game in hand. CdL needs points here.

Last Week’s Results:

Jacksonville Armada U23 0-0 New Orleans Jesters

Miami Dutch Lions 2-2 Global Soccer Pathways

Florida FC 2-1 Naples United FC

Miami Dutch Lions 0-3 Club de Lyon (Juan Parra with a brace)

Naples United FC 7-1 Global Soccer Pathways (Gabriel De Oliveira with a brace)

This Week:

Global Soccer Pathways vs Miami Dutch Lions (Saturday, June 21 at 4:00pm EST)

These are the two bottom teams in the conference. Miami won their first meeting 6-4, and then they drew the second meeting 2-2. Realistically, this is GSP's best chance to get a win for the season.

Jacksonville Armada U23 vs FC Florida (Saturday, June 21 at 7:00pm EST)

FC Florida would dearly love to pull off an upset here in hopes of climbing above CdL for a playoff spot. It's unlikely that they'll get three points in this one, but a draw could be crucial in the final standings.

FC Florida vs Miami Dutch Lions (Thursday, June 26 at 5:00pm EST)

Looking at the standings, FC Florida would be expected to get the win here. In their previous meeting, they played to a 0-0 draw, and FC Florida tends to be in tight matches, so there are no guarantees.

Global Soccer Pathways vs Jacksonville Armada U23 (Thursday, June 26 at 7:00 pm EST)

This match should be the most straightforward of the week. The two teams haven't faced each other this season, but the Armada will be expected to cruise to victory here and increase their point total.

Standings:

1. Jacksonville Armada: 16 Points (+16 GD, 6 GP)

2. Naples United: 16 Points (+24 GD, 7 GP)

3. New Orleans Jesters: 10 Points (+2 GD, 5 GP)

4. Club de Lyon: 9 Points (+5 GD, 7 GP)

5. FC Florida: 8 Points (0 GD, 6 GP)

6. Miami Dutch Lions: 5 Points (-11 GD, 6 GP)

7. PSC Florida: 3 points (-8 GD, 4 GP)

8. Global Soccer Pathways : 0 Points (-28 GD, 7 GP)

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