Pensacola FC to host first-year Valdosta FC in home opener today

The Pelicans beat Sowegans SC 4-0 on a rainy night in Georgia last week; today, they hope to maintain that momentum against another Peach State squad.

Pelicans hope to continue good form

Bruno Marques, a newcomer to Pensacola FC from São Paulo, Brazil, scored three of the Pelicans’ four goals and the defense kept the host Sowegans out of the net in a 4-0 season-opening win last week in Georgia.

Today, PFC welcomes another Georgia club, brand-new Valdosta FC, to Ashton Brosnaham Stadium for its 2025 home-opener. Kickoff is at 3 p.m.

Pensacola FC captain Michael Lightbourne embraces Bruno Marques, 9, after one of his three goals against Sowegans SC in Leesburg, Ga., Saturday, May 10. CREDIT: Pensacola FC

First-year teams often struggle while adapting to their league and level of competition, and Valdosta has been no different through its first two matches. But, despite a 2-7 loss to Tallahassee SC and 0-2 defeat against Sowegans, fifth-year Pensacola FC men’s coach Dean Logan said the Pelicans can’t take their new rivals for granted.

“They’re a new team, still trying to get their first win,” Logan said Saturday in an Instagram interview with team owner Justin Witkin. “They have talented players, they’re coming to play in our place and their job is to find ways to disrupt our home advantage. It will be challenging, but I think our players are ready.”

Jesus Daniel and Sirma Amos scored for Valdosta against Tallahassee.

Pelicans ranked 7th nationally

The League for Clubs released its first “Power 10” rankings last week, with Pensacola FC rated seventh among TLfC’s 51 affiliated clubs after its 4-0 road win against Sowegans SC of Leesburg, Ga., May 10.

Tallahassee SC, the only other Gulf Coast Conference team on the list, is ranked fourth. The Battle Lions (2-0-0, 6 points) have posted lopsided wins at Valdosta (7-2) and against Sowegans (6-1) and share the conference lead with Gaffa FC (2-0-0, 6 points) from Jackson, Miss. Both sides have scored 10 goals more than their opponents after two matches.

The Pelicans could top the standings if they win by seven or more goals today.

POTM vs. Sowegans: Bruno Marques