Port City FC (1-0-0, +1 GD) vs Pensacola FC (1-0-0, +1 GD)

Last Week: 

In a matchup against the Gulf Coast Rangers, Port City FC was able to pull of a 2-1 victory at the Hank. The sole Rangers goal coming on a penalty in second-half stoppage time. Playing in Mobile, Pensacola FC fell behind twice to AFC Mobile before having a dominant second half and winning 4-3.

Past Matchups: 

Last year, Pensacola (then Gulf Coast Texans) beat Port City FC (then Biloxi City FC) 3-1 in Pensacola. The scores were reversed in Gulfport as Port City beat Pensacola 3-1.

Key Players: 

Coaches:

Nolan Intermoia, Pensacola FC

Henrik Madsen, Port City FC

“Expert” Predictions:

Game Information: 

Where: Ashton Brosnaham Stadium, 10370 Ashton Brosnaham Rd; Pensacola, Florida 32534.

Tickets: $5 for adults, children 12 and under free

Social Media: Pensacola FC: @PensacolaFC1559 (Facebook), @PensacolaFC (Twitter) | Port City FC: @Port_City_FC (Facebook), @PortCityFC (Twitter)

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’s championship will take place in New Orleans, but for the first time since the league’s inception the champion will not be a New Orleans-based team.

Humbling three-time champion CDMotagua in the semi-finals with a stunning 3-2 win, the Cajun Soccer Club did what no team had been able to do prior: make it so the GCPL would have a champion other than the Blue Eagles.

On the other-side of the bracket, Gaffa FC disassembled Pool Boys FC 6-0 in Jackson, making it so there is a possibility of not just the first non-Motagua champion, but potentially the first champion not from Louisiana at all.

The two sides will square-off this Saturday at Pan America to crown the winner of the GCPL cup.

Cajun Soccer Club (6-0-2)

The Lafayette, LA based Cajun Soccer Club had a season that few GCPL teams can rival. The club finished top of the Western Conference, had a +22 goal differential, and knocked off the three-time champion in the semi-finals. Many would find it tough to believe that this team started the season 2-0-2, because the results in the last half of the season were remarkable. Down the stretch, CSC proved they could win not just blowouts, but also hard-nosed close matches. Entering the GCPL Cup Championship this Saturday, the club is currently on a five-game winning streak.

When looking for a focal point for CSC, we need to search no further than Vasbert Ledger. Ledger, the Saint Vincent and the Grenadines international, began suiting up for CSC in the fall season. Everyone knew the quality of player Ledger could be, and this summer he has not disappointed. Winning the league’s Golden Boot with 9 goals, Ledger proved to be a force on the pitch for the Cajuns.

Still, it is not only Ledger’s goal-scoring ability that has made him so impressive. In addition to scoring, he has added five assists and been and been used as a diversion in order to make his team’s attack even more dynamic. Joining Ledger, Austin Clause, Jarrian Cutrer and Jakob Goodwin have all chipped in 4 goals  piece and Brandon Briscoe has 3 for the Cajuns.

The offense of CSC is so incredibly exciting and variant that they will be hard to shut down. Especially if Ledger and midfielder Clause (4 goals, 5 assists) are clicking, the disciplined backline of Gaffa FC will have its hands full.

• Biggest Win: 9-0 over Lake City Gamblers (July 15)
• Biggest Loss: 1-2 against Boca Knights FC (May 27)
• Lead Scorer: Vasbert Ledger (9 goals, 5 assists)
• Player to Watch: Austin Clause, MF 

Gaffa FC (7-0-3)

For the most part, Jackson, MS-based Gaffa FC dominated the bottom of the Eastern Conference; however, when facing the top of the table, away from the confines of Jackson’s Freedom Ridge Park, they have struggled.

On June 10th, Gaffa sent a younger, less experienced side to New Orleans and CD Motagua of New Orleans beat them 10-0 in Pan American Stadium. In July, Gaffa sent their more senior side to Pensacola’s Ashton Brosnaham Stadium, but still dropped a 4-0 result to the Gulf Coast Texans. These two results nearly eliminated Gaffa from playoff contention, but resiliently they closed out the season, on the road, beating fellow Mississippi team Biloxi City FC. This resulted jumped them from third to first in the Eastern Conference in the final game of the season.

The Texans and Motagua results have made Gaffa’s season goal differential -2, but this mark is an incredibly misleading statistic. Gaffa has reeled off impressive victories over pretty much everyone else in the East and beat Pool Boys FC 6-0 in the semi-finals.

For Gaffa, balance is probably their biggest attacking strength. When looking at the squad from Jackson, they have not had a reliance on a single goal scorer or creator this season. Michael Cooper and Craig McCabe both have 4 goals each, but beyond them 11 other Gaffa FC players have netted goals. Cooper, Phillip Mallet, Anteneh Lemma are all credited with 2 assists, but 7 other players all have at least 1 assists too. The boys from Jackson are not a one-horse show.

Beyond the stability of the overall attack, Gaffa has one of the most hard-nosed players in the GCPL in Tom Cosgrave, who may possibly be the best Eastern Conference defender. The hard tackling, quick thinking center back makes the Gaffa backline hard to break down. It will be an interesting challenge watching as the lively and variant CSC attack goes after Gaffa’s defense.

• Biggest Win: 5-1 over Gulf Coast Texans (June 10)
• Biggest Loss: 0-10 against CD Motagua of New Orleans (June 25)
• Lead Scorer: Michael Cooper and Craig McCabe (4 goals each)
• Player to Watch: Tom Cosgrave, CB

About the GCPL Cup Championship

Come out this Saturday, July 29th as the GCPL crowns its champion in New Orleans Pan American Stadium. Kickoff between Cajun Soccer Club and Gaffa FC is at 6:30 PM. There will be a food truck from Dat Dog, a halftime show with Soccer Genius, and more. Tickets are only $10, and kids 12 and under will be admitted free of charge. You may purchase tickets online by clicking here.