Steven De Luna is a North Texas native, from Plano, TX. While not having much experience in a corporate soccer role, he has spent time teaching soccer around the world during his time in the United States Navy; mostly in Japan. He has had a passion for Soccer his whole life and brings in an unique resume, including teaching History, coaching multiple sports, and an interesting leadership style that re-imagines how the team will run in the upcoming season.

This announcement comes after the reveal of Rodeo SC, sister-team of Texoma FC, and new expansion team in USL1 for the 2027 season. Ran by the same ownership group, Steven De Luna will be handling all things Texoma while other notable figures in the staff and community may be working with Rodeo SC more exclusively.

New Coaches!

Texoma FC announced new assistant coaches! Tristan England is a developmental, and licensed coach through the USSF, (United States Soccer Federation) who also worked with Texoma Youth from 2024-present.

Solomon Asante was a key player in the first half of their debut season in USL1 for Texoma. Asante would unfortunately suffer a season ending injury. He is a phenomenal player but could show real promise as a coach, especially on the offensive side of the bal.

Moving North

Originally built in 1940, Munson Stadium — once the subject of rumor and now officially the home of Texoma FC — has been confirmed as the club’s new venue for the upcoming season. We had previously reported early in the season of a potential move out of Sherman, TX.

Rodeo SC President and Texoma FC Co-Founder Ben Watson said that Munson was never an option for professional play in USL League One due to field regulations, such as size. However, once Texoma moved down to USL League Two, which is considered semi-professional, it opened up avenues to look at different venues in the area.

Academy to Pro

Watson outlined Texoma’s increased focus on community-oriented events as their main focus for its second year, and said the club now completes its “player pathway” through participation in USL League Two, giving youth and academy players a tangible opportunity to compete at the semi-professional and professional levels. He mentioned the importance of providing an additional developmental platform for young adults that could lead to college scholarships or professional opportunities.

He also emphasized the importance of Texoma’s role in the developmental pipeline with USL implementing promotion and relegation in the near future.

Rodeo SC News

Rodeo SC continues to build their brand and ingrain themselves into the community of Celina, TX. With constant events over a year away from beginning their debut season, it does seem like the team is starting to gain some traction and excitement. Celina is one of the top 5 fastest growing cities in the entire United States.

President Ben Watson explained how important it was that they lean into the culture of the city, bringing a brand that people can connect to, and creating fun experiences that bring the community together through Soccer.

On 18 September it was announced that a new club, Memphis FC, would join USL League Two, the fourth tier of the American game. Starting play in 2026, Memphis FC would represent a return of soccer to the Bluff City’s after the demise of Memphis 901 last year.

Recently, I spoke with the club’s Vice President and Co-owner, Clark Talley, about Memphis FC’s founding and its mission.

Can you tell us a bit about your background and your family’s connection to soccer in Memphis?

My family’s been rooted in Memphis for a long time. My brother, sister, and I all grew up playing soccer here. We each went on to play Division I—my brother at UNC Chapel Hill, me at the University of Memphis, and my sister at Appalachian State. Soccer’s always been a huge part of our lives.

Back in the mid to late ’90s, my parents were frustrated with the lack of quality facilities for youth soccer. Kids were traveling to tournaments and playing on fields that just weren’t up to par. So they decided to do something about it—they opened the Mike Rose Soccer Complex in Memphis, which includes a 2,500-seat stadium. My dad helped found it with other local business leaders, and he ran it until he passed away in 2002. Since then, my mom has taken the reins and kept it going strong. The complex has hosted countless tournaments and brought thousands of kids through its gates.

My brother [Carey Talley] played 13 years in MLS and won a championship with D.C. United in 1999. After he retired and I got married and started a family, we decided to get involved in youth soccer in Memphis. We’ve been coaching here for the past 15 years. It’s always been about giving back to the game and the community.

We’ve seen teams come and go. When Memphis 901 FC came into the USL Championship, it was exciting—they did a lot of good things. Unfortunately, it didn’t work out long-term, and they folded after six or seven years. That was disappointing because having pro soccer here was special. If you’re a soccer fan in Memphis and want to watch MLS, you’ve got to go to Nashville, St. Louis, Atlanta, or Dallas. Memphis sits in a region with a huge population that loves the game, but hasn’t had consistent access to it.

After 901 FC left, we started looking at the landscape—where Memphis could fit. We explored different leagues like USL League One and League Two. Given our deep ties to youth soccer here, USL 2 felt like the right next step. It’s where we can make the biggest impact.

Why did you choose USL over other options?

A big part of it was aligning ourselves with what USL is building. Their vision—especially around promotion and relegation—is exciting. While USL2 won’t be part of that right away, the overall stability and support they offer as an organization really stood out.

From top to bottom, the people at USL were incredible. When we met with them, we weren’t sure they’d even be interested in bringing a team back to Memphis. But they were enthusiastic—disappointed that Memphis didn’t have a team anymore, and genuinely excited about our ideas and our connection to the community.

Memphis is a tight-knit city. If you show up and invest in the community, they’ll wrap their arms around you. That’s what we’re trying to do—embed ourselves in the city and build something that people can rally around.

Are there lessons from Memphis 901’s time in the city that you want to take on?

Every situation—successful or not—offers something to learn from. We’ve looked not just at Memphis, but across USL 2 at what’s working in other cities.

Take Annapolis Blues or Vermont Green—they’re selling out stadiums at the USL2 level. Even McKinney Chupacabras in FC Dallas’ backyard are drawing crowds. It shows that people are willing to support local soccer if it’s done right.

In the U.S., we’ve had this challenge for a long time—how do you localize fandom? How do you give people a team they can support that feels like theirs? That’s what we’re trying to do here.

We’ve also looked at Little Rock Rangers, who are doing an exceptional job. Little Rock is similar to Memphis in terms of being in a kind of “no man’s land” when it comes to access to top-tier pro soccer. We reached out to them during our decision-making process and got great feedback. That helped make our choice easier.

From 901 FC, we’re taking what worked and building on it. We want to create an experience where people can come out, bring their families, and watch players fighting to reach the next level. That resonates with Memphis—it’s a city of fighters.

So what is the mission of Memphis FC?

Our goal is simple: we’d love to have a roster where every player has “Memphis, TN” next to their name. We’re not here to take over youth soccer—there are already great organizations doing that. We’re here to provide the next step.

Right now, a kid might play for a local club, then varsity in high school, then maybe at the University of Memphis. Richard Mulrooney runs the men’s program and does an outstanding job. Brooks Monaghan coaches the women’s team, and they’re ranked top 10 nationally—he’s been there over 24 years and built something incredible.

But after college, what’s next? That’s where we see USL2 coming in. We want to bridge that gap and give kids something to strive for. If they go off to college elsewhere, we want them to come back home and play for their city.

Have you heard from former 901 FC fans?

Yes, we’ve had people reaching out from across the region. There’s real excitement. The Memphis metro area needs something like this right now—something family-friendly, affordable, and entertaining. We’re hoping to provide that.

There’s still a long way until the season kicks off. What are you focused on right now?

Right now, we’re focused on building the staff. We’re in talks with a few people—not just for coaching, but also starting to shape the roster. We’re asking ourselves: what kind of team do we want to be? We want to play exciting soccer. We want to move the ball, attack, and give fans something fun to watch.

We’ve already brought on some staff behind the scenes while this venture was still in its early stages. Now we’re continuing to build as needs grow. I think the next big decision is finalizing the coaching staff. We’ve had people reaching out from all over the country, which is encouraging. Once we have that in place, we’ll start shaping the roster with their input.

My family’s full of entrepreneurs, so building something from scratch isn’t new to us. When my dad left his job to build the Mike Rose Soccer Complex, people thought it was crazy. Now it’s a beacon for soccer in the Mid-South. It’s exhilarating to be doing something like this again—early mornings, late nights, all while working a regular job. Carey and I have people we can lean on, and the response has been incredible.

We’ve heard from former 901 fans, people in the business community, and even strangers who just love the idea. They want to be part of it. It’s been amazing.

Back in the late ’90s and early 2000s, Memphis FC helped create a soccer renaissance in this city. Without that foundation, none of this would be possible. Alongside my brother, we had guys like Richard Mulrooney (Creighton, national team), Ross Paule (Rapids, national team), Tony Kuhn (Chicago Fire, Vanderbilt), John Walker (MetroStars, clubs in Chile), and Cindy Parlow (multiple World Cups and Olympics)—all of them played youth soccer here. What we’re building now is a continuation of that legacy.

Do you hope to establish a women’s team in the future?

Absolutely. If Memphis supports this and there’s an appetite, we’d love to expand into the women’s side. We haven’t limited ourselves. The sky’s the limit. With the growing popularity of the women’s game—and the men’s World Cup coming next year—there’s so much enthusiasm. Why not?

So fans can expect home games to be played at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex?

Yes, we’ve agreed to play our games there. While our family has an ovious connection to the Complex, it’s still a separate venture, so it has to be treated that way, and we’re also working through negotiations for using its training facilities.

Mike Rose is a fantastic venue. 901 FC played Orlando City there in the U.S. Open Cup—it was awesome. The stadium sits in a bowl, which creates a great atmosphere. You can come early, grab food, enjoy a beer, and watch some exciting soccer. It’s a great place to be.

What are your long-term plans? Could USL League One be in the future?

Right now, our focus is on USL 2. What the future holds—I honestly don’t know. When we first started talking about this, people were already asking, “Why not USL 1?” Especially with promotion and relegation coming to USL in 2028, there’s a lot of excitement.

We’re not ruling anything out. If the community wants it and the club grows in that direction, we’ll explore it. But if the abbreviated season of USL 2 fits what Memphis wants, then that’s what we’ll continue to provide.

When can fans expect the team store to go live online?

Like with any new venture, there are hiccups. Things were going smoothly, but this is one area where we hit a snag. Merchandise should be available on the website very soon—we’re working out the final kinks. Hopefully within the next few weeks.

We’ll also be out in the community with merch for sale at events we’re attending. We’re getting messages every day—people asking when they can buy shirts, scarves, koozies. Sponsors are interested too. It’s coming, and we’re excited to get it out there.

Where do you want this club to be come the end of 2026?

It’s two-pronged: we want success on the field, and we want to give Memphis something to be proud of.

This city has so much pride—whether it’s the Grizzlies, the University of Memphis, or the music and culture. We want to be another jewel in that crown. Something affordable, entertaining, and inspiring.

We want kids in Memphis to look at our players and think, “Why not me?” If a 10-year-old starts kicking a ball against the wall every day because they saw Memphis FC play, that’s success. If we embed ourselves in the community, connect with families, and show kids that with hard work and the right choices, they can reach the next level—that’s what it’s all about.

My thanks to Clark and to Memphis FC for taking the time to speak with the Southeast Soccer Report. You can follow Memphis FC’s journey by visiting their website or following them on Facebook, Instagram, and X.

Following the demise of Memphis City in 2018 and Memphis 901 last year, USL is coming back to Bluff City with the announcement today that Memphis FC would join USL League Two, the fourth tier of American soccer, and start playing in 2026.

The new team’s ownership group is led by former MLS defender Carey Talley and his family. “As we launch Memphis Football Club into USL League Two in 2026, we recognize the incredible moment this represents for both our city and our country,” said Talley. “Our club is committed to creating real opportunities for local and domestic talent; giving players from Memphis and the Mid-South a pathway to develop, compete, and be seen on a national stage. Memphis has a proud soccer legacy, and joining USL League Two allows us to honor that history while building a future where the next generation can achieve their goals through the pathway to pro system.”

Memphis 901’s franchise rights were relocated to Santa Barbara last November due to the need for USL Championship clubs to play in soccer-specific stadiums. That team issued a statement at the time, citing this lack of a soccer-specific stadium in the city as its reason for leaving. The news of a new club bringing the game back to Memphis will surely thrill local fans. And while USL League Two only plays in the summer, one has to imagine that a long-term goal of moving up to League One is likely part of the new outfit’s strategy.

“We are beyond excited to get League Two on the ground in Memphis,” said Joel Nash, USL SVP of Youth and Pre-Professional Properties. “With the enthusiasm driving this group, we are eager to see the passion they will tap into with the local fanbase and legacy of soccer they will continue to grow in the region.”

Memphis FC will be a member of the Mid South Division in USL League Two’s Southern Conference. This a geographically vast region that in 2025 included Denton Diablos (Denton, Tx), Hattiesburg FC (Hattiesburg, Ms), LA Krewe FC (Lafayette, La), Little Rock Rangers (Little Rock, Ar), Mississippi Brilla FC (Clinton, MS), McKinney Chupacabras FC (McKinney, Tx), and Red River FC (Bossier City, La).

Memphis will play home matches at the Mike Rose Soccer Complex, a soccer-specific venue in Shelby County. The complex is the former home of the Memphis Tigers men and women soccer teams and hosted an Open Cup game between Memphis 901 and Orlando City. It features a 2001-built stadium which can hold 2,500 spectators.

The Southeast Soccer Report will have more on this developing story over the coming days.

From Madrid to Hickory NC. Join us for a conversation with Guille Garcia as he shares his experience playing summer football with the Louisiana Krewe in the USL 2 and his return for a second season with Lenoir-Rhyne University in Division II.

Image credit: Dothan United

Friday's USL League Two playoff action saw Dothan United win the Southern Conference championship, advancing to Sunday's national semifinal. Ft Lauderdale United charged forward from the opening whistle, looking to take a quick lead. Dothan weathered the storm, and made a hard press of their own. A hand ball in the box drew a PK for Dothan in the 16th minute. Santiago Hoyos converted to take the lead. Four minutes later, Hoyos got his brace. Dothan held that 2-0 lead until Ft Lauderdale pulled one back in the 65th minute. There were some tense moments from that point forward, but Dothan held on to secure the 2-1 victory. In fifteen league games this season (including the playoffs) the Dragons have never allowed more than one goal in a game, conceding just 7 for the entire season. And they've put up 8 clean sheets. They'll be leaning on that defense when they face Vermont Green on Sunday, July 27 at 6:30 Eastern time (5:30 Central).

Image credit: Vermont Green

Vermont Green needed overtime to beat Lionsbridge on Friday night. Regular time ended tied up at 1-1, but Vermont surged and got two more in overtime to put it to bed 3-1 to win the Eastern Conference championship. There was a huge crowd on hand, and they'll be back in force on Sunday.

The winner of Sunday's match will move on to play for the national championship.

Image credit: USL League Two

The USL League Two playoffs are in full swing, and the Southern Conference has provided plenty of fireworks. There are two four-team pods, one hosted by Dothan United and the other hosted by Sarasota Paradise. The first round of games were on Friday, and the final two match-ups will be tomorrow, Sunday, July 20.

Dothan Pod

The Dothan pod featured Asheville City SC and Dothan United, from the South Central Divsion, and Little Rock Rangers and LA Krewe from the Mid South Division. Krewe and Dothan are in the USL2 playoffs for the first time, and Asheville and Little Rock are seasoned veterans in playoff action. Both games were hard-fought, entertaining affairs.

Game 1 - Asheville City SC vs LA Krewe

Asheville stormed through the regular season undefeated, and were #1 in the league's national power rankings. There were a couple of long delays for lightning, but LA Krewe put together an impressive performance and knocked off Asheville 3-2.

Game 2 - Dothan United vs Little Rock Rangers

Little Rock were the winners of the Mid South, and have always been a tough out. Dothan had a great regular season, finishing in second place in the South Central behind Asheville. They turned out a very large crowd that looked like 5000+ fans, and got a big 1-0 win.

Sunday semifinal - Dothan United vs LA Krewe

There's no doubt that there will be a very large crowd on hand, with the majority looking to will the Dragons to victory. The Krewe are certainly not going to go away quietly. Whatever your soccer plans are this weekend, you should be sure to tune in for the match tomorrow night at 7:00 Eastern time.

Sarasota Pod

Sarasota landed the other pod for the Southern Conference, and included teams from three different divisions: Laredo Heat (1st place, Lone Star), Sporting Jax (1st place, Southeast), and Sarasota Paradise and Ft Lauderdale United (1st and 2nd place, South Florida). Laredo easily had the longest trip to the pod, coming all the way from the southern border of Texas.

Game 1 - Ft Lauderdale United vs Laredo Heat

Laredo is a club that's over 20 old, and has played seasons in NPSL and the old PDL. This has been their first season in USL2, and they dominated the regular season. Ft Lauderdale is in their first season, part of the same club that fields the USL Super League team. Ft Lauderdale lost just two regular season games - both to Sarasota. Ft Lauderdale won a tight contest 2-1.

Game 2 - Sarasota Paradise vs Sporting Jax

Sarasota and Sporting Jax are both clubs with short histories (Jax is building an organization that will soon feature pro teams as well). Sarasota had the stronger regular season, with Jax coming in first place in their division by just one point. The home team took care of business, with Sarasota winning 2-0.

Sunday semifinal - Sarasota Paradise vs Ft Lauderdale United

On paper, this game looks pretty straightforward. Sarasota won both meetings during the regular season, outscoring Ft Lauderdale 5-1 in the two games combined. They'll also be expecting strong support from the home crowd. Can Sarasota sweep the season against their rivals? The game is Sunday, July 20 at 7:30 Eastern time.

Join Sky, Juan, and Patrick of the Circle City Inferno as they talk about Dothan United's stretch of dominant wins, what we hate most about each divisional team, and the team making city history.

Check out our website: group.chant.fan/circlecityinferno

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Despite dominating the game, Birmingham Legion II did not lead against Montgomery United until the final few minutes of the encounter.

After bossing possession for the entire first half, the Birmingham boys went behind against the run of play in the 54th minute. They restored parity 10 minutes later but did not find the winner until a Jack Heaps header in the first minute of stoppage time.

“Overall, I think there was one team that was trying to play and trying to problem solve,” Carlo Schiavoni, Legion II head coach, said. “I’m proud that our guys kept playing and finally got what I think they deserved.”

Legion II dominated the opening proceedings, though neither side created any clear cut chances in the first half-hour.

Birmingham’s best opportunities all came around the 10th minute mark. Ty Sanchez got the first when cutting in from the left, but a deflection on his shot took all the power out of it.

Down the opposite wing, Mark Shoebridge sent in an inviting cross for Matthew van Horn to battle for. The striker got to it ahead of the onrushing goalkeeper, but his touch could only take it wide. A few minutes later, he saw a shot inside the box parried over the goal.

Montgomery’s best attacks in this span came on the counter, and both ended with controversial refereeing decisions.

In the 9th minute, a Montgomery forward wriggled into the box before being brought down. The referee signalled no foul, and though a teammate got to the ball first in the confusion, he was unable to get a shot off.

Just over five minutes later, a lone Montgomery striker ran at Legion’s defense. Neal Carlson’s tackle was late and caused him to stumble, but he kept his footing. However, it allowed Landon Surratt to catch up to him and push him off the ball.

Though the second challenge, by Surratt, might have been a 50/50, the first was undeniably a foul by Carlson. However, the referee seemed satisfied the forward had taken the advantage by not going down, much to the frustration of the Montgomery bench.

Legion II enjoyed possession for most of the half, but found little outlet to make something of it. Montgomery were content to sit deep with a compact 4-1-4-1, forcing the Birmingham boys to pass it around and patiently wait for their opening.

“It’s a scenario that you’re not faced with often, especially with the youth-side that our team possesses,” Schiavoni said. “It’s hard to break down low blocks. It took a lot of quick thinking, quick combinations to break them down. We did it a couple of times, but then the quality was lacking when we got in behind them.”

After the opening quarter-of-an-hour, Legion II’s only meaningful chances for the next 30 minutes came from set pieces.

Heaps won a foul some 30 yards from goal and van Horn sent in a lofted ball. Montgomery’s goalkeeper read it well to snatch it off the head of Alan Melendez.

Heaps sent another one in himself just before the hour mark, but his cross from the left sailed over his teammates before Montgomery’s goalkeeper punched it clear.

Only in the final seconds of the period did Legion II get another shot on goal. Shoebridge, now on the right, cut back a cross to John Davis, forcing a full stretch save by the goalkeeper.

The inability to break down the resolute Montgomery defense eventually hurt Legion II.

Ten minutes into the second half, a quick counter found a Montgomery player free down the right flank. With goalkeeper Brock Marlow racing out, the winger got to the ball just in time to poke it home. Against the run of play, the visitors led 1-0.

The hosts nearly got an immediate response with Sanchez hitting the crossbar in the 59th minute, but the assistant’s flag was up for offside anyway.

Legion II made a quadruple substitution in the 63rd minute as they tried to get back in the game, and reaped the benefits soon after.

“It’s a test of character,” Schiavoni said of his team’s ability to fight back after being sucker punched. “It’s a test of resilience. They did well to not let that jeopardize, not let that be the defining moment of the game. They got back in the game and got back on the front foot, so I was proud of them.”

In the 65th minute, van Horn found space behind the Montgomery backline. Despite an incredibly tight angle, the forward powered the shot over the goalkeeper and in off the crossbar for the 1-1.

Things got heated soon after when a Montgomery player went to ground following a Legion II challenge. Seemingly content with the draw, the visitors started dropping like flies whenever a clash occurred. Some could even be heard telling their teammates to stay down

This led frustrations to boil over on both sides, as Legion II had to endure constant breaks in play for allegedly serious injuries that did not keep the players off the field long once they were done moved to the sideline.

“It’s difficult,” Schiavoni said. “It’s one of those where you try to keep them engaged, keep doing the right thing and keep the tempo high. Not let the theatrics take play a part in the game.”

Birmingham’s determination to keep pushing finally paid off in stoppage time. Van Horn sent a corner in from the right flank, and Heaps was there to nod it home.

With the lead, Legion II took on the time-wasting role for the remainder of the game, flipping the script on their frustrated visitors.

The Birmingham team kept the ball in the corner for much of the remaining seconds, running out 2-1 winners at Protective Stadium. The game was played at the home of Birmingham Legion’s senior team prior to their USL Championship matchup with Charleston Battery.

Birmingham Legion II play one last game next Wednesday, traveling to Tennessee SC at 7 p.m.

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In the second match of Wednesday’s doubleheader, Birmingham Legion II could not find the incisiveness to unlock Tennessee SC’s defense.

In a hotly-contested and fairly even affair, a lone goal right before the break proved decisive for the visitors as Legion’s second team fell 1-0.

Tennessee came out the brighter of the two sides, but neither team truly asked questions of the opposite goalkeeper in the early exchanges.

Legion II’s first foray forward resulted in Seth Action winning a corner, but the resulting cross failed to beat the first man. It ended up being one of many disappointing Legion trends, as multiple promising set pieces went to waste through poor deliveries.

A different type of set-piece gave the home team their biggest chance of the first half on the 16-minute mark as the team won a free-kick in a dangerous position. Matthew van Horn lined it up, but his effort went just wide of the near-post.

It did mark a shift in proceedings, however, as Legion II went from enduring much of the game in their own third to dominating possession. However, the home players were unable to find the incisiveness needed to break down a resolute Tennessee SC defense.

Legion II passed the ball around well to try and create openings, but lacked the intensity to take advantage when they presented themselves. On multiple occasions, the team switched play to a wide-open full back or winger only for that player to pass it back to a defender rather than drive forward. This proved emblematic of a first-half were neither team looked particularly intent on risking too much for the go-ahead goal.

Tennessee did venture forward more frequently than their hosts, however, and had a penalty shout just before the half-hour mark. A Tennessee forward went down in the box following an apparent shove in the back, but the referee waved play on much to the consternation of those in blue.

Both teams looked content to head into the half level only for a mistake at the back to gift the visitors a late opportunity. Legion II failed to clear their lines, turning the ball over at the edge of their box with players already further up the pitch. Tennessee quickly worked the ball to a player free on the left edge of the box, who shot across goal to open the scoring in the 42nd minute.

Legion II nearly responded immediately when John Heaps let fly from the edge of the box. Despite getting in front of it, Tennessee’s goalkeeper spilled the powerful shot and the backspin nearly took it over the line. The goalkeeper reacted fast enough to amend his error, however, and Legion II went into the break trailing by a goal.

The second half was more of the same for the semi-pro Birmingham team, who started on the back foot once more. An inswinging free-kick required defensive intervention to clear it inside the six-yard box barely a minute after the restart, before Tennessee won a dangerous direct free-kick less than 15 minutes later.

After weathering the early storm, Legion II grew into the game once more and looked to have the equalizer in the 67th minute.

Second-half substitute Caleb Alldredge pounced on a loose ball at the back to run through on goal, but though his attempt beat the goalkeeper it went nowhere near the goal, looking almost like a cross rather than a shot, though nobody was there to turn it in.

Like in the first half, Legion II struggled to break down Tennessee’s compact defense and spent a lot of time passing the ball around the area without finding the final pass to create a big chance. The home team had to wait 10 minutes after Alldredge’s chance to get another shot at goal, this one courtesty of Ty Sanchez in the 77th.

After a free-kick was played quick to Sanchez down the right flank, the winger dribbled inside, beat his man and unleashed a left-footed shot on goal. Though it took a small deflection, it was still too easy to claim for the Tennessee goalkeeper.

Legion didn’t threaten again until an 85th minute free-kick, where van Horn grazed the top of the crossbar. Tennessee responded by dragging a shot across goal on the counter in the 86th minute, before Legion finally found some added intensity in the game’s dying moments.

With time running out, the hosts committed more bodies forward in the search of an equalizer. Two minutes into five added on, they though they had it when the ball ended up in the Tennessee net. However, the goal was rightfully called back for offside, as it had been scored by a player standing behind the Tennessee defense when his teammate’s shot deflected to him.

It was the last big chance of the game, as the single first-half goal proved the decider in Wednesday’s tight contest.

After a brilliant start to the season saw them win four and draw one from their opening five, Legion II have fallen on harder times of later. The Legion’s second team have fallen to fourth in the USL League Two’s South Central Division, with three games left in the season.

Legion II travel to East Atlanta FC this Saturday before returning to Birmingham for their final home game next Wednesday. The Legion second team will host Montgomery United at 4 p.m. July 2 at Protective Stadium, taking to the field ahead of the senior team’s USL Championship matchup with Charleston Battery.

They're not invincible, even though it feels like it. Asheville has 21 points from seven matches - no losses, and no draws. How dominant have they been? They've had two wins with scores of 1-0, but they've allowed just one goal against them, and they're sporting a gaudy +31 goal differential (scoring 4.6 goals per game). Of their five remaining games, two are against Tennessee, and one is against SSA, who held Asheville to a single goal in a 0-1 loss. The division is theirs to lose if they can win out, and they're going to be a hard team to beat in the playoffs. A final note: the men's side is looking to join the women's side, who have already clinched their division.

Dothan United

Image credit: Dothan United

Dothan is in second place with 18 points, having just come off of a 0-1 loss to Asheville City on the road. Four games remain, three against Apotheos and East Atlanta (twice), who are down at the bottom end of the table. Their other game will be the second leg of the Peanuts and Cola Derby against Columbus United, at home. Dothan took the first meeting 1-0. Even with a clean sweep of remaining games, they would need Asheville to lose three times to jump ahead of them.

Tennessee SC, Birmingham Legion 2, and Columbus United

These three teams find themselves tied up at 14 points, but Tennessee and Bham have a game in hand over Columbus. Of the three, Tennessee has the toughest path ahead of them; they still have to play Birmingham and Asheville City twice each. All three of the teams bunched up at 14 points have also had two draws, which hurts a great deal in their quests to pass Dothan (who basically have a two wins instead of draws). Columbus has come on strong over the past couple of weeks, and are the only team that's managed to score a goal against Asheville City SC all season.

The bottom half - out of the running

Image credit: Southern Soccer Academy

The four teams at the bottom are Southern Soccer Academy (7 points), East Atlanta FC (6 points) Montgomery United (5 points), and Apotheos FC (4 points). Those last two were expected to be contenders, but have had a very tough time breaking through. Montgomery caused some trouble with a win over Dothan and a draw against Tennessee, but they have lost several close matches. All of the teams down here have been competitive, and may still have something to say for the final standings at the top. Apotheos is a case study as the bottom team in a brutal division. They got crushed by Asheville City 10-0, but have an overal GD of -13; their seven other games have all been close.

Key games remaining

Birmingham Legion 2 vs Tennessee SC: (Wed, June 25 at 7:00)

Dothan United vs Columbus United: (Sat, June 28 at 7:30)

Tennessee SC vs Asheville City SC: (Tue, July 1 at 7:30)

Tennessee SC vs Birmingham Legion 2: (Wed, July 9 at 7:00)

Asheville City SC vs Tennessee SC: (Sat, July 12 at 7:30)

The Playoff Picture

The playoffs call for the division winners from the five southern divisions, plus three runners-up. If the season ended today, Dothan would have one of those spots. If the Dragons falter, it could be tough for a second place team here to sneak into the playoffs. As expected, it's been an extremely tough division.

Golden Boot Race (division)

This race is as competitive as the overall division:

Santiago Hoyos 6 goals (Dothan)

Hogan Walker 4 goals (Tennessee)

Donghyeon Kim 4 goals (Asheville)

Deniss Hayes 3 goals (Columbus)

Robin Vezinhet 3 goals (East Atlanta)

Robert Lee 3 goals (Tennessee)

Matt Reed 3 goals (Montgomery)

Edouard Nys 3 goals (Asheville)

Carter Berg 3 goals (Columbus)

A very physical battle between Birmingham Legion II and Southern Soccer Academy ended in a stalemate Tuesday night.

Despite a subpar first-half performance by the semi-pro Legion players, the teams went scoreless into the break. Both sides then upped the intensity in the second period, leading to a frenetic, 45-minute back-and-forth that ended with one goal either side.

“Tale of two halves,” Carlo Schiavoni, Legion II head coach, said. “I thought we started off really, really poorly. … Second half, made adjustments, did fairly well, but conceded a soft goal after we scored. Overall, I think 1-1 is a fair result.”

Legion II got the first real chance of the game, Lucas Rizzo blasting a free-kick straight at the keeper in the 10th minute. But from then, Southern Soccer Academy went on the ascendency.

The visitors sent one shot just wide in the 13th minute before forcing a fine save from Legion II keeper Brock Marlow in the 21st. A cross from the right side was headed at goal from point blank range, but the young shot stopper showed quick reflexes to get up and tip it over the bar.

SSA then tore through the Legion team in just three passes in the 27th minute. A long ball from the keeper was knocked down in midfield and sprayed wide to a winger who forced another save from Marlow.

The man between the sticks proved a real difference maker on several more occasions, including a great low save to his right just moments before the halftime whistle.

“We have four great goalkeepers,” Schiavoni said. “I thought Brock did a phenomenal job tonight. He made the saves I thought he should have made and made a couple of saves I was really impressed with. He kept us in this game when he needed to.”

For Legion II’s attack, the first half was a tale of near misses.

Aidan Marquez ran onto a through ball in the 41st minute but was just too slow to get there before the goalkeeper’s clearance. Three minutes later, William Woodward did get to a through ball first and pulled the goalkeeper out of position with a run to the byline, but nobody was there to poke his cutback into the empty net.

With the score 0-0 at the break, Schiavoni said his players knew they were lucky not to be trailing. Other than one adjustment to the team’s use of the width, he said his halftime talk was more about encouraging a bit more bravery than anything else.

“We just looked scared in the first half,” the head coach said. “You step over that line, if you’re not brave this game will eat you up. So might as well go and make mistakes, but be brave and go forward.”

Legion II’s newfound determination led to a gilt-edge chance not even 10 minutes after the restart.

A quick break down the left flank ended with a low cross sent across the box, where Mark Shoebridge was free to rush in at the back post. The midfielder connected with the ball inches from an open net, but could not redirect it accurately enough and saw his effort clatter off the post and out of play.

The game went up several levels of intensity during that period, with the first yellow card coming out in the 58th. Both teams made it a very physical battle the further it wore on, with multiple more bookings dished out to both sides before the night was up.

After Shoebridge hit the post in the 53rd, Ty Sanchez saw an effort of his own come off the crossbar in the 62nd.

At the other end, Marlow continued to keep his team in it with important saves in both the 64th and 68th. On both occasions, the goalkeeper showed great ability to get down quickly, parrying a shot low to his left and low one to his right, respectively.

It was the intense physical nature of the game that ended up leading to the breakthrough, the goal coming off a free-kick in the 72nd minute.

Rizzo sent the set-piece into the box from a deep position, and Alan Melendez found space to power a header past the goalkeeper.

The joy was short-lived, as SSA equalized just four minutes later.

“I don’t know if it’s the team getting ahead of itself or just maturity in realizing that you’re your most vulnerable after scoring a goal,” Schiavoni said. “We still have a lot of guys who are just young and naive. The more they play, the more they’ll learn that aspect of the game.”

The two goals only furthered the breathless nature of the game. The ball barely stopped rolling more than a couple of seconds for the final 15 minutes as both sides looked for the go-ahead goal.

Marlow made one last big save in the 80th, but it was Legion II who got the final chance. Melendez connected with another free-kick deep into stoppage time, but this time opted to head it down for a teammate. However, nobody was there to latch onto the second ball for what turned out to be the final action of the game.

The draw ended a run of two consecutive losses for Legion II — their only two losses of the season — and sees them remain in fourth place in USL League Two’s South Central Division.

Legion’s semi-pro team have a bye this weekend before playing the final four games of their 2025 season. They will be back in action at 7 p.m. June 25, hosting Tennessee SC.

Matchups between two undefeated teams at the top of the table tend to be close affairs. Birmingham Legion II against Asheville City was anything but.

Legion’s second team came into the game top of the division, having won four and drawn one in their opening five matches. But the visiting North Carolina side, themselves boasting a 100% record with four wins from four, did not care.

Asheville scored just four minutes into the game before dismantling the home side over the course of 90 minutes on the way to a 7-0 route.

“They had a quick start, which hurt us, obviously,” Carlo Schiavoni, Legion II head coach, said. “[It] got in our heads. Some players, they have to just own up to it, had bad performances. And as a staff maybe we sit back and look at what our approach was, and maybe we make a change to a few things going forward.”

Asheville’s first goal came off a free-kick down the right side of the field. The ball was sent near post, and an Asheville player got to it first to poke it home.

Barely five minutes later, another set-piece nearly doubled the lead.

An Asheville player looped the ball past Birmingham’s goalkeeper off a corner, forcing Legion II’s John Davis to head it off the line. The clearance only delayed the inevitable, but proved a rare bright moment in an otherwise torrid display.

It didn’t take much longer for Asheville to widen the scoreline.

In the 15th minute, the visitors broke down the right flank once more. Asheville’s winger cut the ball back to a teammate on the corner of the box, who sent in a deft shot over Legion II’s keeper and into the back of the net.

That right wing — Legion’s left — continued to prove an issue for the home side throughout the first half, with Asheville finding plenty of joy down that flank. Birmingham also didn’t make it any easier on themselves by appearing allergic to possession at times, aimlessly hoofing it long whenever they regained the ball.

The Legion II players looked almost scared to retain possession faced with Asheville’s press. Half an hour into the game, it prompted an exasperated Schiavoni to shout “To who? You’re just kicking and hoping” to one of his players.

It wasn’t until the dying moments of the first half that Legion II finally got a semblance of a foothold in the game.

Their first shot came in the 37th minute, with another in the 43rd. Matthias Leib took both of them from distance, but his attempt was too central and easy to save on both occasions.

And just when Birmingham thought the game might still be salvageable, Asheville sucker punched them for the 3-0.

After the home team’s first spell of sustained possession, the visitors tore through them on the counter. The play ended with an Asheville forward completely free and through on goal. A feint got him past Legion II’s keeper, allowing him to roll the ball into an empty net just seconds before the halftime whistle.

“At that point it becomes more of a test of character than anything else,” Schiavoni said. “That third goal right before half really crippled us mentally. Going in at half down 2-0 versus 3-0 is a different approach going into the second half.”

With the game all-but-lost, Shiavoni said he challenged his players to at least win the second half.

Instead, things got worse.

It had taken Asheville four minutes to score in the first half. They needed just three in the second.

A simple through ball gave an Asheville player another one-on-one with Birmingham’s goalkeeper, and the forward made no mistake for the 4-0.

Less than ten minutes later, it was five as an Asheville forward spun his man on a low cross before rifling home. In the 69th, it became six off a direct free-kick.

Birmingham Legion II had conceded just three goals in their first five matches. In only 70 minutes against Asheville, they shipped twice as many. By the time Asheville scored the final goal of the night in the 79th minute, the focus was already on the next game.

After entering the game unbeaten and with a +6 goal swing, Birmingham Legion now have a negative goal difference. In an extremely tight USL-2 South Central Division, that number could have an impact on final standings.

The Birmingham team will travel to Dothan on Saturday as they look to bounce back. With Dothan United only a point behind and with a game in hand, they cannot afford to slip up.

“The league doesn’t make things easy in such a condensed window to play so many games,” Schiavoni said. “But the reality is we have a deep roster and it’s a next man up mentality as we prepare for Saturday.”

Birmingham only had one shot, off target, in the second half, courtesy of Ty Sanchez. Even when presented with al last-minute free-kick some 30 yards out, the players went backwards before eventually losing the ball to their opponents.

But despite it all, they showed fight the full 90 minutes. They kept battling away in what was a physical, sometimes overtly so, encounter, against one of the most dominant teams in the league.

Five games into their season, Asheville City have won all five games by a combined scoreline of 28-0.

For Legion’s roster, one made up mostly of college kids using the USL League Two as a preseason, results are not always the most important. Schiavoni said it’s sometimes more about his players using the opportunity Birmingham Legion provides to better themselves. That will remain the goal throughout the season.

“Our goal isn’t to win every single game,” Schiavoni said. “Our goal is to be competitive and learn from our mistakes and grow individually.

“With every loss there’s the ability to learn from mistakes,” Schiavoni added. “Learn and move forward. This doesn’t define them as a soccer player or us as a team. But it’s a learning moment for us. … There’s a lot of things you can learn from a game like this.”

Birmingham are on the road to Dothan United at 7:30 p.m. Saturday. They return home June 17 for a double header alongside Legion WFC, the club’s semi-pro women’s team.

Both sides will face off with Southern Soccer Academy. The women kick off at 3:30 p.m., with the men set for 7 p.m.

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Image credit: Asheville City. This sums up how things are going so far…

League play is in full swing for USL League Two, and so far the South Central Divsion is as advertised. There's an unexpected early leader, but the team to beat was fashionably late to the party and has made quite an entrance.

Birmingham Legion 2 - undefeated so far

In 2024, Legion 2 finished dead last in the division, with just one win (a spoiler over Dothan United) and 8 total points. After just four matches this season, Legion is leading in total points with 10 and are undefeated. Looming ahead is a three game stretch over eight days where they'll face Columbus United (1-1 draw in their first tilt), Asheville City, and Dothan United.

Dothan United - on a run

Dothan lost their opening match against Montgomery United, and then won three in a row, earning 9 points from four matches and sitting in second place. The Dragons were expected to be tough, and they're riding high.

Tennessee SC - also undefeated

Tennessee finished 2024 in second place, just ahead of Dothan. They're currently in third place on 8 points, from two wins and two draws. Their most recent game was a narrow escape where they scored two goals after 90 minutes to draw Montgomery United 3-3. Their next match is against a winless East Atlanta team that is going to be dangerous.

Asheville City SC - Dominance

Asheville joined the party late, and have only played two matches, winning both for 6 points. For the entirety of the season so far all of the other teams in the division, the biggest margin of victory for any team has been two goals. In their only two games, Asheville has outscored their opponents 15-0; 10-0 against Apotheos, and 5-0 against East Atlanta. Asheville has an incredibly talented team and a ton of depth. They are still the team to beat.

Montgomery United - a tough slate to start

Montgomery United has played Dothan Twice (splitting the series), Birmingham once (a 1-3 loss), and their recent 3-3 draw against Tennessee. All games have been tough and competitive, but they find themselves in fifth place with 4 points so far.

Southern Soccer Academy - very competitive

SSA has just one win (2-0 over East Atlanta) so far for 3 total points, and three losses. They've been competitive (GD is -2) in every match, facing Legion 2, Tennessee, and Dothan. They're going to get some results against the teams above them.

Columbus United - don't relax against CU

Columbus has played three matches so far, drawing Birmingham and Tennessee, and losing 0-1 to Dothan. They've got 2 points, and find themselves seventh in the table early on. There's no way they'll stay down here until the end, but for now they're the poster children for how tough this division is.

Apotheos and East Atlanta - looking to recover

Both of these teams have had a tough start, and are looking for their first points. Apotheos is new to this league, and was expected to be a contender. They've lost two close games, and were crushed by Asheville in the other. I watched most of the game against Asheville, and they looked much better than the score would indicate; they'll make some noise. East Atlanta has only played twice, and have yet to score, while conceding 7 goals. Much like Apotheos, they have talent and experience, and will be a factor. Nobody should take either team lightly.

The next two weeks are crucial

The teams that have played four matches have completed a third of their season. Among the current leaders, Birmingham, Dothan, and Tennessee have points in hand, while Asheville has two games in hand. I've watched several games, and have seen almost everyone play at some point. There will definitely be shake-ups in the standings, and the only thing I would consider an upset is if someone manages to beat Asheville City. Can they make it through ten more games with a giant target on their backs? Only two teams will be guaranteed to make it into the playoffs. The current top three have put themselves into a great position, and the teams below them will have a lot to say about it. The next two weeks will be crammed full of action, and there will likely be some separation in the table. If you haven't been to a match or watched one the games online, you've missed some great soccer, and I guarantee there's more to come.

After dropping their first two matches on the road, the South Carolina United Bantams captured their first USL League Two win of the season in their home opener 2-1 over visiting Tobacco Road FC.

Despite having numerous corner kicks, long spells of possession, and several free kicks, it was the visitors, somewhat against the run of play, that scored the lone goal of the first half in Columbia.

The visitor’s Jahmir Flowers found a loose ball just outside the box in the 31st minute and he hit a low surprise shot that snuck its way through the traffic into the net for the 1-0 Tobacco Road advantage.

The Bantams turned up the pressure and the tempo after the break and scored in both the 51^st and 67^th minutes to grab the lead and make good on the positive run of play from the Bantams.

Ethan Hackenberg scored in the 51^st minute guiding home a low cross from the right flank and then substitute Oscar Bech who had just entered the match in the 60^th minute converted his chance in the 68^th minute to push the hosts in the lead for the final quarter hour. The Bantams successfully killed off the final minutes of the match to claim their win of the season.

The Bantams travel to Salem City FC on Saturday, June 7 for their next USL League Two South Atlantic match. Kickoff is set for 7 PM at Truist Sports Park.

The USL League Two season kicked off with a bang, debuting what proved to be a heated rivalry between Dothan United SC and Montgomery United FC. The season was supposed to start with two matches in the 231 Derby, first at Montgomery’s home turf, then going to Dothan the following week. However, Montgomery also known as the Storm, may have shown a bit of foreshadowing with their moniker, as both matches were significantly affected by harsh weather.

The first match of the 231 Derby began slightly after 7:00 at the Emory Folmar Soccer Complex in Montgomery. The field was significantly affected by heavy rain, which led to difficulties with players staying upright and being able to pass the ball. Nevertheless, the match proved to be chippy, with players from both teams going after each other aggressively. Within the first three minutes, Dothan’s forward Santiago Hoyos, got tangled up with a Montgomery defender, which resulted in Hoyos’ jersey being ripped off and thrown on the ground. The intensity would continue throughout a scoreless first half until, in the 77th minute, Montgomery’s Renan Diaz scored off of a rebound from Dothan’s goalkeeper Yago Darub. Montgomery would ultimately win 1-0.

A week later, Montgomery would travel down to Dothan with the expectation of a nice and dry match, however once again, Mother Nature had other plans. Shortly before the match was set to begin, a surprise thunderstorm would roll through the Circle City, resulting in wet conditions and an hour and a half weather delay. However, the Dragons were prepared this time, and judging by the physicality shown, it was clear that there was no love lost between the teams. Dothan would quickly score three goals in the first half, the first coming in the 15th minute off of a header from Dothan United captain Will Noecker. The second would come in the 29th minute from Dothan’s Santiago Hoyos. The last would come soon after, with a goal from Devonte Richards to make it 3-0. Montgomery would net one in the 61st minute from Glenn Waters, but it wouldn’t be enough as Dothan beat Montgomery 3-1.

However, the score was only one part of the story. In both matches, the officiating was harshly criticized by both teams, with multiple incidents throughout the matches.

In Dothan’s win over Montgomery, it culminated in two incidents. The first incident was when the Dothan PA announcer received a warning for making the comment “there’s a difference between handing someone the ball and throwing it at them.”

The second incident happened when Dothan goalkeeper Yago Darub was sent off for a second yellow when he touched the ball outside of the box. When Yago was sent off, Dothan had to scramble, as Montgomery was waiting to attempt a corner kick and Dothan’s second goalkeeper, Jermaine Fordah, was in the locker room receiving treatment. Dothan players that were warming up had to rush into the locker room to retrieve him and he was quickly put into a tough spot. This would result in Montgomery’s only goal.

Dothan and Montgomery come out of this with a record of 1-0-1, and sit at third and fourth in the South Central Division respectively. Dothan will travel to play another newcomer in Columbus United on May 31st in the inaugural matchup of the Peanuts and Cola Derby. Montgomery will have to wait until May 28th, where they will host their rival from up I-65, Birmingham Legion FC II.

*Photos courtesy of Craig Smith Photography and JWPhotographics

Recent information obtained by Southeast Soccer Report indicates that Athens United could possibly not be competing in USL League Two in 2025. This comes after Athens joined USL League Two and W League in 2024, where the League Two side competed in the South Central Division. They finished the season 2-3-7.

Athens United started their offseason with a fresh rebrand, foregoing the green and gold for a more traditional red and black, and with the fresh look came new changes. Over the next few weeks, Athens would announce staff hires and organizational changes. Some of the hires would be familiar faces, such as Martin Suiza, while some would be entirely new to the Athens organization. What was also apparent was their lack of discussion around the upcoming USL2 season.

As of writing this article, Athens has still not published their USL2 schedule, and they have been scrubbed from League Two’s website. They do not show up in standings for the South Central Division, and they do not show up in the list of clubs for the 2025 season. It supports what our sources have told us and begs the question, will they compete in League Two in 2025?

Apotheos’ 2024 NPSL national runner-up defense wrapped up with a third place finish in the Southeast Division. This year, Apotheos is competing in USL League 2 for the first time in its history. The Locos will debut in the South Central Division against last year’s runners up, Tennessee SC. The team has high expectations going into the season, hoping that NPSL success translates to victories in USL. While the team is returning some players from last season’s squad, a batch of fresh faces will make their club debut on Wednesday at Silverbacks Park.

Coach Jonny Mercado remained at the helm for the Locos, bringing a pedigree of league success and experience in the US Open Cup. The club is hoping that Mercado’s success with Apothoes over the last few seasons works for the Locos in USL 2 as the club moved from the NPSL to USL League 2. Alongside Coach Mercado, Shaun Greenfield joined the coaching staff in the offseason with Steve Conde providing technical support.

On the pitch, forward Aaron Whitten returns for the Locos along with hometown players like defender Boland Lekeaka and goalkeeper Abraham Mendieta. University at Albany forward Mohamed Soumah, University of North Georgia midfielder Samuel Gomez, and local youth product Luis Ramirez round out the roster as new acquisitions during the offseason.

Apotheos’ moves are vital steps to compete in the highly competitive USL 2 South Central Division. Last season’s division winners, Asheville City SC, made a deep run in the USL League 2 playoffs last year and are looking to win the South Central Division for the third straight season. Other division rivals like Tennessee SC and Montgomery United are other top contenders to dethrone Asheville. Montgomery, who made the jump from the Gulf Coast Premier League to USL 2, opened the South Central Division season with a 1-0 victory over Dothan United.

Apotheos opens the season at home against Tennessee SC before travelling to Asheville on the second matchday. The early season tests will be massive for the Locos as they try to establish a firm foothold in the division before facing East Atlanta FC away in a midweek cross-city clash followed by a quick turnaround to face Birmingham Legion 2 on the final day of May to round out the opening month of the season.

102 miles and eight turns.

That’s how far it is from Rip Hewes Stadium in Dothan, AL to the Emory Folmar YMCA Soccer Complex in Montgomery, AL. For the next two weeks, the two teams will be very familiar with the two-hour drive along Highway 231. The inaugural match of the 231 Derby between Dothan United SC and Montgomery United FC will take place on Saturday, May 10th at Emory Folmar in Montgomery. The week after, Montgomery will travel down to Dothan for the second installment of the Derby at Rip Hewes Stadium.

Dothan United will be starting their sophomore season with the matchup in Montgomery. Last year, the Dragons finished 4-4-4 and third place in the South Central Division. This year, the Dothan United coaching staff has put together a stout roster with talent from across the NCAA landscape, USL, and player development academies. The level of talent was on full display on May 3rd, when Dothan hosted AFC Mobile for what was originally slated to be a preseason match but was altered to be a scrimmage due to inclement weather. Nevertheless, Dothan and Mobile played a full 90 minutes in which Dothan would score nine goals, including five within the first thirty minutes. Forward Santiago Hoyos, a new addition for Dothan, made a strong debut, scoring four goals for the boys in red and black. Dothan native Alec Palanjian scored as well, along with newcomers Matt Everitt, Ryan Manna, and Ezra White.

From first impressions, the Dothan attack is significantly quicker, and more precise. The work that players have put in has been noticed, and the chemistry on the pitch is palpable. The defense is aggressive and clearly follows Head Coach Carl Reynolds’ philosophy of “I just want the ball.” While we’ve only seen a portion of what this team is capable of, it is safe to say that the match against Montgomery will be a good indicator of how the team will fare in divisional play this season.

The same could be said of Montgomery. Having now converted from GCPL Alabama FC South to Montgomery United FC, they enter their first season in USL2 play. Headed by Manager Manny Sanchez and Head Coach Tate Dean, the side will operate out of a 4-3-3. When asked what the tactical approach would be, Dean simply stated "play to win".

Their captain is Glenn Waters, a veteran of the now AFC->MUFC side, an Irish native who finished his collegiate career just down the road at AUM before becoming a professional. He is joined by co-stars Hamza Sadiq, Dan Ivanov, and Matt Reed. Sadiq is a fellow long time contributor to the club, as he brings experience and a vocal presence to the backline that will be crucial to the team as the season rolls on. Ivanov is a midfielder who is coming off of a two year collegiate tenure where he clocked nearly 2000 minutes for the Barton College Bulldogs. His skillset shines in the box to box game where he can help the transitional play throughout. Matt Reed is another new face to the bunch; previously of then-GCPL foe Southern States SC, Reed brings a goal scoring talent that will provide a spark and flair for the team’s attack throughout the season.

Which club’s array of new talent will lead to a victory? That is to be seen this Saturday at 7:30pm EST.

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