boca fc – Gulf Coast Premier League

GCPL Season Preview: Western Conference

GCPL Media — Mon, 06 May 2019 17:20:54 +0000

ALEXANDRIA FC

Home Venue: Wildcat Stadium (Louisiana College)

2018 Season: 3rd in west division; 5-5-0; 15 pts

Player to watch: Mackenzie Young (Defender/Forward) — The Scotsman is a versatile player with a good soccer IQ and tenacious speed. The LSUA graduate has had on and off stints with Pool Boys for the past 3 season, but this will be his first full year with the Alexandria unit. His experience and leadership should give the Pool Boys the boost needed to make it back in the playoffs.

Coach’s Corner: Jeremy Poklemba – “We’ve added more to our supporting staff this season that should allow us to compete. The addition of Greg Comeaux to our day-to-day staff and the inclusion of our younger players in our u23 squad have given PBFC more coaching prowess and player depth which should lead to a solid showing for the 2019 GCPL season.”

Writer’s predictions: A roller coaster ride is the best way to describe Pool Boys’ season in 2018. A good amount of players, including veteran, Juno Mboungou, are returning to the mix. The central Louisiana crew have also added some new faces that should give them a boost to push for a playoff spot in July.

BOCA FC

Home Venue: Bossier High School Stadium

2018 Season: 1st in west division; 9-0-1; 28 pts

Player to watch: Quesi Weston (Forward) — The 2018 GCPL goal scoring leader returns to the Shreveport outfit for the 2019 season. The Trinidadian has made his name known in the GCPL banging in 16 goals in only 9 games played. We can expect much of the same this year from the big forward.

Coach’s Corner: Sergio Perez Sr. – “The base of the team is back and we have added some excellent players with our style of play. For Boca, winning the Championship is the goal. We have every intention of pushing ourselves to higher heights than ever.”

Writer’s predictions: BOCA returns a good amount of players from their dominating 2018 season. Missing Quesi Weston and veteran centerback, Abdullah Rayyan, proved to be too much for the Knights to overcome in their loss to western conference foes, Cajun SC, in the 2018 semifinals. If BOCA can stay healthy, we can expect to see them back in the playoffs making a push for their first appearance in the GCPL Cup.

CAJUN SC

Home Venue: LUS Fiber Stadium

2018 Season: 2nd in west division; 6-3-1; 19 pts; Finalist

Player to watch: Myles Joseph (Centerback) — A promising product of the Cajun SC youth system, Myles finished his Sophomore season at Hanover College being dubbed the 2018 Defensive MVP for the Heartland Conference. Joseph’s inclusion this season will add to an already stout Cajun defense.

Coach’s Corner: Mark Hiller – “We started training earlier this season than we have in the past. The boys are much fitter and the competition for each position is very high. Our conference will be tough but if we can find the right balance, like we have in the past, we are confident to make another appearance for a chance at the title.”

Writer’s predictions: The only team to have reached the GCPL Cup more than once, the Lafayette crew came up short in the 2018 final. However, it’s quite impressive that the make up of Cajun’s roster consists of roughly 90% homegrown players directly from their youth system. It’s hard to deny, with their current success, that Cajun SC may be the best developmental club in the GCPL. We expect them to be in the mix come mid July.

CENTRAL TEXAS LOBOS

Home Venue: Bob Shelton Stadium

2018 Season: 4th in west division; 3-7-0; 9 points

Player to watch: Oscar Eduardo Saavedra Flores (Forward) – A veteran and successful product of the Mexican Second Division, Flores brings a plethora of experience for the Lobos attack this year. The former Leon Academy player will surely be a player to keep an eye on this GCPL season.

Coach’s Corner: Jorge Cruz – ” “I am very excited and hopeful for the upcoming season. My goal is to inspire and educate our players to see results and learn how to be successful not only on the field but in their everyday lives. To me soccer is more than just a game, it’s a way of life.””

Writer’s predictions: The GCPL’s only Texas outfit saw their leader and starting keeper, Blake Landers, miss majority of the season due to a broken leg in an early contest vs Motagua New Orleans. This seemed to have taken a toll on the Lobos and the Austin based club finished 4th in a tough west division. The signing of veteran head coach, Jorge Cruz, who has been in and around the US Soccer Development Academy system since 2008, and most recently serving as the assistant coach for the Jordan Women’s International Team, should see some experience added to a young and up and coming club. The Lobos could be playoff bound in 2019.

LOUISIANA KREWE

Home Venue: UL Lafayette Soccer Stadium

2018 Season: inaugural season

Player to watch: Munir Poca (Winger) – The former Alexandria FC winger joins the Krewe for the 2019 season and offers a potent attacking option for the newly based Lafayette club. The Brazilian is crafty on the wings with a deadly range from scoring anywhere around the 18.

Coach’s Corner: Joan Olivia – “This is our first year as a team, and we are looking forward to start playing and competing in this raising GCPL. We have been working since February and we really feel we created a good team, with good players and great people.”

Writer’s predictions: Stemming from the Houston Dynamo Juniors academy in Lafayette, the Krewe have set their sights on becoming not just the best team in Lafayette to root for, but the best in Louisiana. From their Mardi Gras themed kits and club name, the Krewe are looking to steal the show in the boot state. On the field they look to be doing just as much work by adding quality players such as former Cajun SC midfielder Erick Medina and Oscar Castellanos from Barcelona. All eyes are on the Krewe for their inaugural season.

SHREVEPORT UNITED

Home Venue: Lee Hedges Stadium

2018 Season: 5th in west division; 0-10-0; 0 points

Player to watch: Gustavo Mendez (Forward) – A very promising attacker out of the Shreveport United youth ranks. Mendez will be one to keep an eye on as the El Salvadorian offers a strong presence in the front line for United.

Coach’s Corner: Francois Browne – “We have a new look to our team this year with a great mix of youth and experience. This will be our 2nd season but we are expecting good things with this group. ”

Writer’s predictions: Shreveport United enter their second season in the GCPL after failing to record a single point in their 2018 campaign. The Northern Louisiana club looks to revamp their roster, adding some experience to it’s depth, while keeping it’s younger prospects involved. The 2018 wasn’t kind to the Shreveport group. We will see if their more seasoned players will give them some much needed leadership for this young unit.

GCPL WEEK FOUR RECAP: BOCA and Motagua keep streaking, Mobile’s attendance grows, Baton Rouge late heroics

GCPL Media — Mon, 04 Jun 2018 22:07:11 +0000

With a few conference leaders matching up in cross-conference games, the cream has started to rise up in Week 4. It was a weekend of surprising late-game equalizers, big time scoring, and another huge crowd in Mobile getting to finally see the home side walk away with all the points. But despite all the stories coming out of Kyle, Gulfport, Covington, and Mobile, it is the Blue Eagles and BOCA Knights that are setting themselves apart as early season favorites.

EASTERN CONFERENCE RECAP

After a weekend off, AFC Mobile was back in action in Mobile. As always, they drew a large crowd, but unlike last year, the maroons pulled off not just a home win, but an end-to-end dominant performance over Real United FC. Chisom Ogbonna scored his second hat trick in two games and Sherman Winchester found himself scoring his first ever goal for the Azaleas. Next week, the Battle of Mobile Bay takes place as the Gulf Coast Rangers come to Mobile for a grudge match a year in the making.

Speaking of the Rangers, across Mobile Bay they took on a struggling Baton Rouge United. Baton Rouge had yet to earn any points this season. The Rangers’ David Hall struck early off a great ball from Nathan Gillespie. but Baton Rouge’s Cam Hilliard was able to score a late equalizer and Joshua Joseph was absolutely heroic in between the pipes in the final minutes for the Red Sticks, which led to them earning their first point of the GCPL campaign.

CENTRAL RECAP

After beating the Rangers last weekend, the Blues felt like things might finally be clicking, but the ever eager Northshore team was able to shred the Blues in an efficient and impressive 3-0 win at home. Brandon Core scored a brace for United and Eric Schwing’s solid performance helped to cement the all the points for Northshore who find themselves a point behind Gaffa FC for the last playoff spot in the Central Conference.

A battle of division leaders had CD Motagua of New Orleans continue their monstrous form as Eastern leading Pensacola FC. Carlos Palacios defense was instrumental in keeping a high-flying 59ers attack from scoring for the first time this season and Leonardo Barros scored twice to help the Blue Eagles remain perfect, and relatively unchallenged, so far this season.

WESTERN CONFERENCE

Being on the receiving end of a streaking Motagua team last week, the Lobos had a point to prove this weekend and they did not disappoint. Following the season-ending injury of Blake Landers last week, 20-year-old Jordan Guardado stepped into the spotlight and did not fail to impress. Guardado ended the match with a goal and 2 assists as the Lobos were able to impress the home crowd with a dominant 4-0 win over Shreveport United.

In Alexandria, an evenly played match was broken apart by Ethan Loftin of Port City after the Pool Boys’ Martin Iddon subbed out at the end of the first half. Iddon, a defensive stalwart, had previously missed the first three matches of the season. He held the Sounders scoreless, but after being subbed off in the 40^th, Port City scored twice and then held on the rest of the way to gain three valuable road points.

In another matchup of cross-conference powerhouses, BOCA FC Knights and Quesi Weston were able to hold off Cillian Thompson and Gaffa FC. Both Weston and Thompson had braces for their respective clubs, but the firepower of BOCA helped them pull off an impressive 4-2 win against the defending champs. This win for BOCA and the dominance of Motagua perhaps marks these two teams as the clubs to beat this season.

GCPL TEAM OF THE WEEK

Leonardo Barros (CD Motagua of New Orleans)
Brantton Greene (AFC Mobile)
Jordan Guardado (Central Texas Lobos)
Joshua Joseph (Baton Rouge United SC)
Ethan Loftin (Port City FC)
Chisom Ogbonna (AFC Mobile)
Carlos Palacios (CD Motagua of New Orleans)
Abdallah Rayyan (BOCA FC Knights)
Eric Schwing (Northshore United FC)
Cillian Thompson (Gaffa FC)
Quesi Weston (BOCA FC Knights)

GCPL Week Three Recap: Blues grab three, BOCA romps, and Motagua roll

GCPL Media — Mon, 28 May 2018 16:33:58 +0000

In a weekend whose weather represents summer life in the Gulf Coast, teams are beginning to separate themselves from the pack. Gaffa FC, Motagua, Pensacola FC, and BOCA FC Knights all looked like world beaters over the last few days. In the meantime, the biggest game along the Northern Gulf Coast was pushed off due to threats of Tropical Storm Alberto as AFC Mobile and Port City FC’s “Forgotten Coast Cup” first-leg match was postponed until June 20th. So as the rain rolled through, or in oft cases did not, soccer played on as the Gulf Coast Premier League continued to move.

Eastern Conference Recap

In Ashton Brosnaham an insane goalkeeping performance by Lamoy Graham had Real United looking to stay with conference-leading Pensacola FC. Pensacola was up 2-0 at halftime behind goals from Matt Brooks and Matt Fiesen, but a second-half offensive explosion had the 59ers come pull out a dominant 5-0 victory.

Meanwhile, in cross-conference action, a late-game penalty scored by the Rangers’ Matt McArthur, had the Blues holding on tooth and nail as the boys from Foley tried desperately to pull out a point in Mississippi. However, goals from Grant Falla, Jasminko Dizdarevic, and Pablo Jimenez allowed the the Mississippi side to hold on to a 3-2 win for their first league victory.

Central Conference Recap

During the midweek, Northshore United traveled down the road to New Orleans to take on CD Motagua of New Orleans. Over 90 minutes, Motagua proved to be the better side behind Gino Ray and held off Northshore for a 2-1 victory to start off their home schedule.

After two positive results that did not seem to equal the vast expectations they had upon them, Gaffa FC, the reigning champs, returned to their typical league form with a dominant 3-0 result over Baton Rouge.

Western Conference Recap

Despite a perfect start from Motagua and good form from Gaffa FC, it is the BOCA FC Knights that have perhaps become the “team to watch” in the GCPL. In the middle of the week, BOCA had a dominant 9-0 win over Shreveport United. Yet, the result that has eyes truly on BOCA is a surprisingly stunning and decisive 4-1 victory over cross-divisional foe Northshore United in Covington. Quesi Weston, over two games this week, had 3 goals. And with those two big wins this week, BOCA may have risen as the team to beat this season.

Deep in Acadia, Cajun Soccer club won their first game of the season with a 3-1 win over Pool Boys. While Alexandria held advantages in possessions, shots, and shots on target, the precise passing and finishing of Austin Clause helped CSC leave Alexandria with the win and perhaps signs that things are starting to click for the Lafayette club.

The Central Texas Lobos saw the unfortunate loss of Blake Lander for the season, which only tacked onto their 4-1 loss to Motagua in a cross-divisional game. Currently, Motagua is the only team that has won all of their games and standing alone atop the Central Conference.

Did Not Play

AFC Mobile and Port City FC sat the weekend out due to Tropical Storm Alberto. AFC Mobile will be looking to get its first home win of the season when Real United travels to the Archbishop Lipscomb Stadium on Saturday.

Port City will be hoping to leapfrog Pensacola for the top of the Eastern Conference when they head to New Orleans to face Central-leading Motagua of New Orleans.

GCPL Team of the Week

John Avery Slay (Mississippi Blues)
Chance Bourdene (Gaffa FC)
Austin Clause (Cajun Soccer Club)
Jasminko Dizdarevic (Mississippi Blues)
Matt Freisen (Pensacola FC)
Leroy Mahagayu (Alexandria Pool Boys FC)
Matt McArthur (Gulf Coast Rangers)
Donaldo Morales (CD Motagua of New Orleans)
Oscar Ramirez (Central Texas Lobos)
Gino Ray (CD Motagua of New Orleans)
Quesi Weston (BOCA FC Knights)

Honorable Mentions:

Jordan Angelle (Cajun Soccer Club), Brandon Core (Northshore United), Andrew Canales (Central Texas Lobos), ), Lamoy Graham (Real United FC), Patrick Lynch (Pensacola FC), Chandler McInnis (BOCA FC Knights), Eduardo Soto (Northshore United), Yan Yaninho (Gulf Coast Rangers)

GCPL Week Two Recap: Blue Eagles return, Gaffa FC finds its form, Rangers make a statement

GCPL Media — Mon, 21 May 2018 03:05:09 +0000

What a difference a week makes. Early seasons are always a bit chaotic, and there was much in the air following GCPL’s week one. The defending champs Gaffa FC had not played, the most successful team in league history CD Motagua of New Orleans was a week away from their regular season debut, and a surprising result in Shreveport shook up the entire Eastern Conference. Every club now has one game under its belt and while the picture is not fully painted, it is starting to become a bit clearer.

Eastern Conference Recap

Last weekend the Gulf Coast Rangers did not score their first goal until second-half stoppage time; this week they made up for lost time. The Rangers put up 10 goals on Real United FC in a match that was never questioned. After Rangers scored in the seventh minute on a Matt McArthur free kick, they never looked back. Amos Ndikumana led the charge with a goal and two assists and was fantastically dynamic going forward. The Riverhawks’ defense could do nothing but foul, which ultimately led to 3 penalties for the Rangers, who pulled out all stops in an incredibly dominant and professional performance.

Over in Pensacola during the biggest match of the weekend, conference favorites Pensacola FC and Port City FC played to a 2-2 draw. Pensacola’s central defense of Nick Trzesniowski and Kyle Sealy were sent off with double yellows alternately in the first and second half. Jordan Hall continued his run of good form with a brace for the Sounders while Pensacola defender Christoph Zellar scored two to keep the score even at Ashton Brosnaham.

Currently, the Pensacola and Gulfport clubs sit atop the Eastern table with four points each. Port City faces AFC Mobile in Gulfport hoping to get ahead in the Forgotten Coast Cup and solidify early season dominance over their rival from Mobile on Saturday. Pensacola FC, on the other hand, will be heavy favorites, even while missing its starting centerback duo, against Real United FC. Gulf Coast Rangers will travel to Clinton to take on Mississippi Blues in a cross-divisional matchup.

Central Conference Recap

Another high flying, high scoring game took place in Covington’s Wolverine stadium as defending champ Gaffa FC was able to get their first win of the season with a 4-2 win over Northshore United FC. United’s Cam Lavallee created multiple opportunities in addition to his own goal, but Gaffa looks to be hitting its mark quickly in spite of drawing with Sippi Cup rivals, Mississippi Blues SC, earlier in the week. Gaffa captain and defender Tom Cosgrave, the GCPL Cup Championship MVP, who looks to be just as dominant as he was last year in this match, led the charge. Cosgrave finished the night having tallied two assists and served as the ever-present field marshal for the boys from Jackson, MS who find themselves in an ever familiar position at the top of the Western Conference table.

But perhaps Gaffa shouldn’t get too comfortable as CD Motagua of New Orleans went to Clinton, MS for their regular season opener and rolled over the Mississippi Blues to the tune of 3-0. Former Honduran international goalkeeper Donaldo Morales earned his first clean sheet of the season for the Blue Eagles, and Gino Ray was absolutely commanding in New Orleans’s attack. Motagua are looking rejuvenated after their slow start last year. Right now it seems that the Blue Eagles and Gaffa will be in a constant battle for control of the Central Conference.

This week, Motagua will take on Northshore United in a midweek game that will prove a huge testing ground for the new Covington club. Gaffa will host Baton Rouge United in Jackson on Saturday. Meanwhile, Mississippi Blues will host the recently unleashed, offensive behemoth of the Rangers in Clinton, MS.

Western Conference Recap

In the West, Alexandria FC fell just short of gaining a huge three points falling to Boca Knights 2-3. Pool Boys’ goalkeeper Tom Fuller stood on his head collecting an amazing 10 saves in the loss, but it did not prove enough as behind stellar performances from Mario Hidalgo and Alvaro Castro Boca was able to head to Alexandria and leave with all points.

In cross-conference action, AFC Mobile headed over to Lafayette to take on last year’s GCPL Cup runners-up and put on a relatively dominant performance in a 3-1 win over Cajun SC. Chisom Ogbonna had a hattrick by game’s end. While earning the maroons’ first ever three-goal game will surely make sure Ogbonna stays on the player’s to watch list, it was the ball movement from Erik Aispuro, Ibrahima Ndaw, and Donte Oliver, who had an assist each, that has Mobile looking as if it may be starting to fire on all cylinders. If the defense, led by Markos Mallis and Barou Ndaw can play as calmly as they did in LUS Fiber Stadium on Saturday night, things could finally turn around for the Azaleas.

The rest of the Western Conference had the weekend off.

Did Not Play

Shreveport United will host Boca Knights on Wednesday, May 23rd.

Saturday, May 26th, Central Texas Lobos host CD Motagua of New Orleans in the first GCPL match to ever take place in Texas.

Also on Saturday, Baton Rouge SC will hope to pull some points out of Jackson as they head up to Freedom Ridge to take on Gaffa FC.

GCPL Team of the Week

Chance Bourdene (Gaffa FC)
Alvaro Castro (Boca Knights FC)
Tom Cosgrave (Gaffa FC)
Tom Fuller (Alexandria FC)
Jordan Hall (Port City FC)
Mario Hidalgo (Boca Knights FC)
Burkley Louviere (Cajun Soccer Club)
Amos Ndikumana (Gulf Coast Rangers)
Chisom Ogbonna (AFC Mobile)
Gino Ray (CD Motagua of NOLA)
Christoph Zeller (Pensacola FC)

Honorable Mentions: Benoit Dorronsoro (Gulf Coast Rangers), Zack Elegamy (Cajun Soccer Club), John Hamide (CD Motagua of NOLA), Harrison Houle (Alexandria FC),Cam Lavallee (Northshore United FC), Markos Mallis (AFC Mobile) , Rudy Seelman (Pensacola FC), Eduardo Soto (Northshore United FC)

GCPL Week One Recap: Pensacola proves a point, Northshore cruises, and Lobos earn three

GCPL Media — Mon, 14 May 2018 18:39:52 +0000

The first week of the 2018 Gulf Coast Premier League season did not disappoint. Some newbies showed they belonged. Some of the old guard rolled along. Some struggles remain as teams continue to gel. Lots of goals, lots of action, and yet another barn burner in Mobile where the home team kept it close but fell short again.

Eastern Conference Recap

Both Alabama teams showed a lot of quality, but neither one could close out their matches with a result. While newcomers Gulf Coast Rangers showed their creative caliber often, it was not until late in their match against Port City FC that they were able to finally score their debut GCPL goal as Daniel Whelan put away a 90+ minute penalty. Though Port City ended up with all 3 points behind an outstanding performance from Kieran Robins, the Rangers showed an impressive amount of prowess that should have the Eastern Conference on notice despite their 2-1 loss.

Meanwhile, AFC Mobile pulled in over 800 fans to see a goal-fest. Ibrahima Ndaw had 2 goals and an assist for the home side, but it was Isaiah Lopez with a goal and assist and some stellar defensive work from Christopher Zeller that had the Eastern Conference favorites Pensacola FC exit The Lip with a 4-3 victory. Once more, the fans of the Azaleas were left waiting for their first home GCPL win, but the traveling support of the 59ers undoubtedly have an exciting, high pressing team to follow this year.

The biggest result for an Eastern Conference team, however, happened in a cross-divisional match where Real United FC pulled off a 2-0 win against CABOSA Shreveport United in Shreveport and now find themselves atop the table. Denver Bankston and Rainer Araujo had a goal each and Todd Langilaus got his first clean sheet of the season. Now the Moss Point side, thanks to goal differential, sits atop the Eastern Conference and should feel confident as they head down to Foley, Alabama this week where a hungry Rangers side will attempt to earn their first GCPL points.

Central Conference Recap

In the only Central Conference match this weekend, Northshore United was able to please their supporters in the regular season christening of Wolverine Stadium after finishing their pre-season 1-1-1. That training seemed to pay off as they rolled over Baton Rouge in a decisive 4-1 home win. United’s Rolando Sanchez had a dominant performance, notching a goal and 2 assists while causing havoc for the Baton Rouge defense throughout the match.

Western Conference Recap

Traveling almost 400 miles is a rough road for anyone, but the Central Texas Lobos made the trip out to Alexandria, Louisiana to take on the Pool Boys and rode back to Kyle, Texas with 3 points in hand. Leroy Mahagayu’s wide play was almost enough to pull out points for the Alexandria-based club, but Edgar Reyes’ game-winning goal showed that the Lobos may be a dark horse in the Western Conference.

Meanwhile, Boca Knights FC and Cajun Soccer Club held out for a point each at LUS Fiber Stadium in Lafayette, Louisiana. Both teams clearly hoped for more but will have to settle for a draw heading into week 2. This week, Boca will travel to Alexandria to face Pool Boys, with both teams looking for their first win of the season. Cajun Soccer Club will host AFC Mobile in a cross-conference match and look to continue the winning woes of the boys from Mobile.

Did Not Play

Reigning champions Gaffa FC take on newcomers Mississippi Blues Monday, May 14th in Jackson.

CD Motagua of New Orleans begins their GCPL season on Saturday, May 19th against the Mississippi Blues as well.

GCPL Team of the Week

Brandon Briscoe (Cajun Soccer Club)
Denis Canales-Mejia (Central Texas Lobos)
Zach Clear (Pool Boys)
Todd Langilaus (Real United FC)
Eric Medina (Cajun Soccer Club)
Kieran Robins (Port City FC)
Rolando Sanchez (Northshore United)
David Valverde (AFC Mobile)
Jorge Vazquez (Boca Knights)
Daniel Whelan (Gulf Coast Rangers)
Christopher Zeller (Pensacola FC)

Honorable Mentions: Gerardo Flores (Gulf Coast Rangers), Joe Guinchard (Port City FC), Isaiah Lopez (Pensacola FC), Luis Peña (Boca Knights), Edgar Reyes (Central Texas Lobos), Pat Rye (Northshore United), Pablo Sanjuán Delgado (AFC Mobile), Claudy St. Louis (Pool Boys)

GCPL Season Preview: West Division

Jonathan Rednour — Wed, 09 May 2018 16:00:24 +0000

ALEXANDRIA FC

Home Venue: Wildcat Stadium

2017 Season: 2nd in west division; 6-2-0; 18 pts

Player to watch: Dril ‘Juno’ Mboungou (Midfielder) — A product of Alexandria FC’s youth system Crossroads SA, Mboungou has excelled to be one of the leagues more exciting midfielders. Tied for second in all-time assists (9), we can expect more of the same from Juno this summer. Maybe more so with a much improved supporting cast.

Coach’s Corner: Jeremy Poklemba – “We’ve been going at this since 2013 and this is the first time I feel we have utilized our resources well enough and have filled in some holes that offer us a more complete squad. Losing in the semis the way we did left a bad taste in our mouths, so we’re coming back stronger.”

Writer’s predictions: The Pool Boys finished their Cinderella run in 2017 falling to Gaffa FC in the semis, but the road to get there was enough to prove the Alexandria club has the tools to be league contenders. With the addition of some talent from local college, LSUA, we can expect to see a more quality product from PBFC. They could very well see themselves in Mobile come July.

BOCA FC

Home Venue: Messmer Stadium

2017 Season: 3rd in west division; 6-2-0; 18 pts

Player to watch: Quesi Weston (Forward) — The Trinidad and Tobago international is a big demanding presence up top, with tremendous athleticism and grit. Weston has spent his last 2 seasons in Turkey playing in the Turkish Regional Amateur League, most recently with Yesilova S.K., and has steadily made name for himself. His return to BOCA FC this summer could be what the Knights need to make a playoff push.

Coach’s Corner: Larry Guerrero – “We went through a big roster change this season and are looking forward to all of our players having good chemistry together. Ultimately our goal is not just a GCPL title, but a shot at the USASA National Cup and to qualify for the 2019 US Open Cup.”

Writer’s predictions: Although the Knights have had a overhaul on their roster, the core players who have succeeded with BOCA have stayed. With Quesi Weston returning to the fold, this could be the year the Shreveport outfit make a strong push.

CAJUN SC

Home Venue: LUS Fiber Stadium

2017 Season: 1st in west division; 6-2-0; 18 pts; Finalist

Player to watch: Josh Hughes (Forward) — After a productive freshman year at Campbell University, the Lafayette native and Cajun SC academy graduate is primed to make an impact in his GCPL debut season.

Coach’s Corner: John Plumbar – “We are buzzing to get going. Expectations are high coming off the back of last year we have a great core group of returners and great mix of new players. We look to improve on the previous season and win it.”

Writer’s predictions: Coming off their strongest season in the GCPL, Cajun return having assembled what might be their most experienced roster yet. With the addition of Josh Hughes, the inclusion of John Plumbar, Jacob Cunningham, Radar Massey and Alan Hannon bring a slew of experience with all having played in the NPSL or PDL. The potential for another trip to the finals is quite high for this group.

CENTRAL TEXAS LOBOS

Home Venue: Gregg-Clarke Park

2017 Season: inaugural season

Player to watch: Blake Lander (Keeper) – A truly inspiring story comes from Lander’s will to defeat all odds. The Texas native suffered a spinal injury in 2008 that had doctors less than optimistic about his ability to ever play sports again. Overcoming the adversity, Landers has been outstanding between the sticks for Lobos.

Coach’s Corner: Felipe Arcos – “We’re looking forwad to the competion the GCPL has to offer. The odds are against as we have a good bit of traveling, but we are confident in our ability to defend our home turf and the quality of our players to gets some points on the road. Our sights are set on being very competitive this season.

Writer’s predictions: The GCPL’s first Texas based club will undoubtedly have the most tretcherous of traveling, but the Lobos have the experience to overcome this hurdle. An impressive showing in the US Open Cup qualifiers and winning the 2017 TPSL has proven the quality the Lobos bring to the table. An exciting group to keep an eye on this summer.

SHREVEPORT UNITED

Home Venue: Cargill Park

2017 Season: inaugural season

Player to watch: JW Cox (Forward) – The CABOSA academy product will be the link to United’s success. Interchangeable in the attack, Cox’s progress may be the catalyst to how well the Srheveport unit will perform.

Coach’s Corner: Gary McCormick – “We see this as the next phase in our developmental model for our club. We’ll be featuring a lot of our younger prospects who have their sights set on playing at the next level.”

Writer’s predictions: The third Shreveport club to make an appearance in the GCPL, Shreveport United (CABOSA) are set up with a good mix of veterans and young talent. A handful of the senior players have NPSL experience and featured for the Shreveport Rafters during their GCPL season in 16-17. The port city outfit will only add to the already stout division set up in the west.