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)

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)

The Gulf Coast Premier League (GCPL) believes that the implementation of promotion and relegation would allow teams to find the appropriate level in which to compete, champion the sport in smaller communities, stimulate the fan base, and increase spending on smaller regional and amateur leagues throughout the United States. The GCPL is supportive of any move that could bring about promotion and relegation in the United States of America.