Apotheos USL 2 Kickoff

The Locos kick off their 2025 campaign at home on Wednesday

Apotheos FC is kicking off its USL League 2 season with a home match against Tennessee SC. Despite the season opener against in-state rivals Athens United being called off, the Locos hosted a kickoff event for fans on May 10th.

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.