This Week in Semi-Pro Soccer: The League for Clubs, USL2, and NPSL All Kick Off
We highlight the major games this weekend in the 3 leagues starting their seasons in the Southeast, plus preview some major UPSL showdowns.
This week in semi-pro soccer, we highlight 4 games in USL2, League for Clubs, and the NPSL as those leagues begin their season in the Southeast. We also highlight the 2 biggest games in the UPSL Mid-Atlantic and Georgia Divisions.
Montgomery United vs. Dothan United
Saturday, May 10
7:00pm EST
Emory Folmer YMCA Soccer Complex Championship Stadium (4,000 Capacity; Montgomery, AL)
USL2 South Central Division Opener (and Montgomery’s first match in USL2)
Inaugural Match of the 231 Derby
Sky Stricklin - Dothan United hits the road to battle it out with newcomer Montgomery United in the season opener for both clubs. Dothan is coming hot off of a 9-0 thrashing of AFC Mobile in a scrimmage last Saturday, while Montgomery is hoping that the weather doesn’t affect their match this week like it did their friendly last week against Fountain City that ended in a 0-0 tie midway through the first half. Tensions will be high in the inaugural match of the 231 Derby, with both teams wanting to stake their claim in the division, as well as feeling like they have something to prove. This will be the match to keep an eye on.
The in-depth match preview can be read here.
Appalachian FC vs. Port City FC
Saturday, May 10
7:00pm EST
Appalachian Soccer Stadium at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex (1,000-2,500 Capacity; Boone, NC)
NPSL Southeast Conference Co-Opener
Alex McCaskey - The boys from Boone look to begin their 2025 NPSL season as they welcome Wilmington based club Port City FC for a showdown of two teams that call different sides of the Tarheel State home.
Both teams had very different 2024 NPSL seasons with Appalachian FC topping the Southeast Conference and Port City FC finding themselves in eighth place, bottom of the group. Appalachian FC is looking to rebound after being knocked out of the U.S. Open Cup after falling to USL 1 side One Knoxville SC 3-0 in the first round of the tournament. The last time these two clubs met, Appalachian FC came away with a 3-1 win. Will this match have a similar result or are surprises in store for matchweek one of the NPSL season?
Sowegans SC vs. Pensacola FC
Saturday, May 10
7:15pm EST
Lee County Track and Stadium Complex (500 Capacity; Leesburg, GA)
League for Clubs Gulf Coast Conference Co-Opener (First Matches in the Region in League History)
Dan Floyd - Sowegans will be looking to return to the great form that they had in 2024, where they led in points for the regular season in the Gulf Coast Premier League before losing in the playoffs to Gaffa FC. The Turtles will be returning several players from last year's squad (like former Thomas University midfielder Andres Abeja, who was resigned on Thursday), and look to have added some strong new talent.
Ken Garner - Pensacola FC and Naples United finished atop the NPSL’s Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference in 2024, posting identical 7-2-1, 22-point regular seasons. The Southwest Florida club barely edged the Pelicans for first-place based on goal-differential: Naples scored 27 goals and allowed eight, for a +19 GD; Pensacola netted 24 scores and conceded six, or +18.
Columbus (Ga.) United ended PFC’s season with a 2-1 win in the conference playoffs.
A solid core of returning Pelicans and some talented new signings give coach Dean Logan and staff confidence the club will be competitive in The League for Clubs.
The match preview can be read here.
Charlottetowne Hops vs. Hickory FC
Saturday, May 10
8:00pm EST
CSA OrthoCarolina Sportsplex (1,000 Capacity; Pineville, NC)
2nd Year of the Moonshine Cup
Calum Ewing - This rivalry with two talented teams is highlighted by the scoring power Hickory FC promises to bring after a 6-1 preseason rout of Mint Hill FC. A preview of this game can be found on The NPSL Briefing.
Soda City FC vs. Charlotte Soccer Academy
Saturday, May 10
6:00pm EST
Irmo High School Stadium (3,000-8,200 Capacity; Columbia, SC)
Battle for First Place in the Mid-Atlantic South Division
Calum Ewing - Soda City, the defending UPSL National Champions, predictably sit in 1st place in the Mid-Atlantic South Division. They are yet to lose a game, going 4-1-0 with convincing wins over Gastonia FC, Charleston United, and rivals South Carolina United Heat. They drew 2nd place Asheville FC, but their last game saw a 4-0 rout of North Carolina Ballers that was called at halftime due to weather. Midfielder TJ Paul scored two goals in the match and is looking to carry over his good form, and forward trio Rauf Salifu, Jose Flores, and Lamar Thompson are looking to add to their total of two goals each on the year.
However, CSA will put up a very good fight. They’ve scored 14 goals in 5 games, more than Soda City, and anyone on their young roster can hurt you. Eleven different players have hit the scoresheet this year, and two defenders, Grant Ellis and Gavin Trosch, lead the team with 2 goals each. However, they have let up 8 goals this year, meaning the more experienced opponent could attack weaknesses in defense.
If Charlotte win, they’ll either go to first place or second, level on points with Soda City at 13. Soda City currently has a +9 GD and Charlotte are at +6. If Soda City win, their two-point gap above Asheville FC can grow depending on their result versus SCU Heat.
Fountain City FC vs. Georgia Revolution
Saturday, May 10
3:00pm EST
Odis Spencer Stadium (7,000 Capacity; Columbus, GA)
Fountain City Fighting Against Relegation, Revolution Want the Top 3
Dan Floyd - Fountain City had a tough start to the spring season, but have seen better form of late. Their first three games were all losses, where they suffered through a combined -14 goal differential. The five games following that have seen them with 1 win, 1 loss, and three draws and a more palatable -2 GD during that run. Georgia Revolution will need to avoid being overconfident. If Tristan Shytle plays (4 goals on the season, leading the team), then Fountain should be expected to make this a tough game.
Calum Ewing - Meanwhile, the Revolution are coming off of a 1-0 win at home against FC Birmingham in which they dominated in possession and in scoring chances. While the club’s form has been mixed over recent weeks (loss to Georgia Athletic and win over Kalonji Pro-Profile, along with the Birmingham result), they can jump to third place in the Premier Division table with a win over Fountain City. They’ll want a second straight victory to gain momentum for the end of their schedule, which is much easier than the beginning of the season (some teams include Columbus Elite and Soccer Saves Lives FC).
The difference makers in this game will be the midfield duo of Oquin Robinson and Gustavo Atencio, who lead the team with 4 goals each, and forward Martin Saucedo. While he scored only his first goal of the season against Georgia Athletic, he is now the all-time leading scorer for the club with 15 goals. Even with the better roster on paper, the Revs have not won on the road, going 0-2-2 so far this year. Therefore, Fountain City could easily make this a competitive match.