The NPSL Briefing Week 3: Miami, Naples Kickoff Their 2025 Season
Welcome to Week 3 of The NPSL Briefing! Below are our Games of the Week in the Gulf Coast Sunshine and Southeast Conferences, along with last week’s results and a preview into every game this weekend.
Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference:
Game of the Week: Miami Dutch Lions vs. FC Florida
Sunday, May 25 at 6:00pm EST
Monsignor Edward Pace HS Stadium (Miami Gardens, FL; Capacity 3,500)
The Miami Dutch Lions will see their first action of the season against FC Florida. Miami finished last season just below the halfway point in the table, and they'll be looking for improvements this year. FC Florida has had a promising start to the season, with a win over Global Soccer Pathways and a close loss to Club de Lyon. I would expect the Lions to come out on the front foot early to try to get an early goal, but this should be a close contest.
Last Week’s Results:
Jacksonville Armada U23 3-2 Club de Lyon
New Orleans Jesters 3-0 PSC Florida
This Week:
Global Soccer Pathways vs Naples United: (Saturday, May 24 at 8:00pm EST):
These two clubs have a stated partnership of some kind, perhaps as a first team and second team arrangement. This is the first match for Naples this season, and they should be expected to take all three points.
PSC Florida vs Jacksonville Armada U23: (Saturday, May 24 at 8:00pm EST)
PSC has had a tough launch for a new club, and they won't be expected to turn the corner in this rematch of the game from week 1. The Armada will stay on the top of the table.
New Orleans Jesters vs Club de Lyon (Saturday, May 24 at 7:00pm EST)
New Orleans faces CdL for the first time, and both teams will be looking to earn some separation in the table. I don't think they'll get it, and expect a draw here along the lines of 2-2.
Standings:
Jacksonville Armada: 6 Points (+4 GD, 2 GP)
New Orleans Jesters: 3 Points (+3 GD, 1 GP)
FC Florida: 3 points (+1 GD, 2 GP)
Club de Lyon: 3 points (0 GD, 2 GP)
Miami Dutch Lions (0 GP)
Naples United (0 GP)
Global Soccer Pathways: (-2 GD, 1 GP)
PSC Florida (-6 GD, 2 GP)
Southeast Conference:
Game of the Week: Appalachian FC vs. Hickory FC
Saturday, May 24 at 7:00pm EST
Appalachian Soccer Stadium at Ted Mackorell Soccer Complez (Boone, NC; Capacity 1,000)
Top 2 Clubs in the Conference Face Off
Only two unbeaten clubs remain in the NPSL Southeast Conference, with Appalachian FC having 3 wins in 3 games and Hickory FC having 2 wins in 2. Both clubs are ranked nationally in the top 10 for the league (Appalachian is #4, Hickory is #7). Appalachian FC have played a weaker schedule so far than other clubs, and had a bit of a scare against 865 Knoxville last week, but they are 3-0 and have a stacked roster led by Jason Oughterson and Luke Frost. Hickory are coming off a massive 4-2 win against Bristol Rhythm AFC in league play but did lose 0-7 to USL2’s Asheville City SC in their most recent game. Nonetheless, they’ll be a major test for the league leaders and bring a large away following to counter the special Boone atmosphere.
Last Week’s Results:
Appalachian FC 2-1 865 Alliance
Hickory FC 4-2 Bristol Rhythm
Burlington United 1-4 Port City FC
Greenville United 2-1 Charlottetowne Hops
This Week:
Charlottetowne Hops vs. Burlington United (Friday, May 23 at 7:30pm EST): The Hops have now lost to Greenville United and Hickory FC to open up their year, a surprise for a club many would consider to be around mid-table quality. They’ll face a tough test from the expansion club in Burlington, who drew common opponent Greenville but were recently killed by Port City FC 4-1. This match will be close.
Port City FC vs. Bristol Rhythm (Saturday, May 24 at 6:00pm EST): Port City did not pick up a single win in NPSL play last season. This season, it only took them two games to put 3 points by their name on the table. Their 4-goal win away in Burlington bodes well for their first match against a new-look Bristol side that dominated 865 Knoxville but fell to Hickory last week. The Rhythm are high-scoring, as well, so expect a close matchup to help decide what clubs can chase the top 2.
Greenville United vs. 865 Alliance (Saturday, May 24 at 7:00pm EST): Greenville currently sit third in the table thanks to having a game in hand over most other clubs. Going 1-1-1 in their first 3 games makes them hard to read, especially with every game being determined by one goal or less, but they have been much better than last year’s 7th place finishers and have shown they can grind out results and create chances in the final third. 865 played well against Appalachian FC but not against Bristol, and a third straight away match to start the year might make them weary. This could be close, but Greenville have a slight advantage.
Standings:
Appalachian FC: 9 Points (+6 GD, 3 GP)
Hickory FC: 6 Points (+4 GD, 2 GP)
Greenville United: 4 Points (-1 GD, 3 GP)
Bristol Rhythm AFC: 3 Points (0 GD, 2 GP)
Port City FC: 3 Points (0 GD, 2 GP)
Burlington United: 1 Point (-3 GD, 2 GP)
Charlottetowne Hops: 0 Points (-3 GD, 2 GP)
865 Alliance: 0 Points (-3 GD, 2 GP)
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