Central Louisiana FC wins GCL2 Championship
A great game with drama until the end
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