Gulf Coast League 2 Kicks Off

Previewing the second division of the Gulf Coast Premier League!

Image credit: Gulf Coast Premier League

The Gulf Coast Premier League was founded in 2014 as the Louisiana Premier League, competing under that banner for two seasons until rebranding and expanding into other states throughout the Gulf region. They've been the pre-eminent league in the region, and by the 2024 season the league was operating men's first and second divisions, and a robust women's division. For the 2025 season they entered partnerships with The League for Clubs for their men's first division, and the women's teams are operating within the WPSL framework. Those partnerships opened the clubs to opportunities to play up into national playoffs, expanding the reach for the league. The men's second division is still operating within the confines of the region, and they begin competition on Saturday May 17th. We'll be reporting on the fixtures and standings weekly. The league will have East and West divisions, with all of the clubs based in Louisiana and Mississippi:

East:

Mississippi Blues FC (2): Based in Clinton, MS (just outside of Jackson), this is the reserve squad for the team that competes in USL2. A member of the GCPL since 2018, including a women's team.

Invictus FC: A newcomer based in McComb, MS (just north of the Louisiana border on the way to New Orleans), their first year of competition in a league at this level.

Hattiesburg FC (2): Another team that's a reserve squad for a USL2 team, and a club that also has a strong women's team. Based in Hattiesburg, MS; founded in 2003 and a GCPL member since 2019.

BRSC Capitals: Members of the GCPL since the league expansion and re-branding in 2017, the Capitals were in the Premier division last season. They're from Baton Rouge, LA

West:

LA Krewe Rush (2): The Krewe have been part of the league since it started in 2014, and this is the reserve team for their USL2 side. From Lafayette, LA, they competed in the Premier division in 2024.

Shreveport United: They competed in the Premier division last year, and have a women's team as well. They've been members since 2018.

Twin Cities FC: The other newcomers to the league, out of West Monroe, LA.

Central Louisiana FC: One of the founding members of the league, back when they were known as Alexandria Pool Boys FC. Based in Alexandria, LA.

One of the things that jumps out is that the tenures of most of these clubs are long, and they've got good rivalries established. It speaks to the quality of the league. The opening slate of matches are:

Saturday, May 17 at 7:15: Central Louisiana FC vs Twin Cities FC

Saturday, May 17 at 7:15: BRSC Capitals vs Hattiesburg FC

Sunday, May 18 at 11:00: LA Krewe Rush vs Shreveport United

Sunday, May 18 at 5:30: Mississippi Blues vs Invictus FC

And there's one game at the tail end of the week (before the next report)…

Friday, May 23 at 7:00: Hattiesburg FC vs Mississippi Blues FC

Long-term, the plans are for this division to integrate into a system of promotion and relegation with the Premier (TLfC) division. For now, this will operate as another very strong regional league where travel costs are not a burden, and the level of competition will be high.

This is the final piece to fall in place in the makeover for the Gulf Region. All told, the GCPL format for 2025 includes nine Premier level men's teams, these eight second division, and eleven women's teams. It's a very strong ecosystem that's growing. Looking forward to what's in store for 2025.