GCPL Season Preview: Central Conference

Home Venue: Olympia Stadium

2018 Season: 4th in west division; 3-5-2; 11 pts

Player to watch: Eduin Delcid (Midfielder) — A crafty attacking midfielder, Delcid’s ability to create chances and find his attacking threats will be key to United’s success.

Coach’s Corner: Michael Zanco – “We may be one of the youngest, if not the youngest, teams in the GCPL. The core of this team has been playing together for quite some time and many of them rose to the challenge last season. We’re confident this group can get results. Our focus is to go out and compete to the best of our ability every weekend.”

Writer’s predictions: The capital city outfit struggled to find it’s footing last season having some not so promising performances, but then squeaking away some decent results towards the end of the season. United will be without their attacking threat from 2018, Danni Eyo, but hope to find his replacement in youth product, Zayne Zezulka, who is on quite a few DI coaches’ radars. A new coaching staff and a slew of new faces leave a question mark to United’s fate for 2019.

Home Venue: Muss Bertolino Stadium

2018 Season: NA; inaugural season

Player to watch: Gilberto Perez (Midfielder) — The former Inter Playa Del Carmen player brings a ton of veteran leadership to the new boys out of New Orleans. A very tenacious center midfielder  who commands his group to leave everything on the pitch.

Coach’s Corner: Wilmer Peralta – “This is my first time coaching a team here in New Orleans. I have been approached by other suitors over the years but I have turned them down because the opportunity wasn’t right. With the group of players we have here, I know success is attainable. We will have to work hard and play smart to win, but these players are talented enough to do so.”

Writer’s predictions: FC New Orleans joins the GCPL after spending a few seasons in the local leagues of New Orleans. Owner Omar Romero has expressed his interest in creating a club that offers high quality football for the community. With a roster riddled with current and former pro talent from Mexican and Honduran ranks, the new kids from Big Easy will look to fight for the title right out of the gate.

Home Venue: Freedom Ridge Stadium

2018 Season: 2nd in central division; 6-2-2; 20 pts

Player to watch: Jorge Alvarez Prendes (Goalkeeper) – The Real Sporting de Gijon academy product joins the 2017 champs with a decent resume in the states having put himself in the record books at Tusculum University along with featuring for NPSL sides, such as Erie Commodores. The 6’1 keeper will look to add to an already loaded Gaffa back line.

Coach’s Corner: Ousmane Coulibaly – “Our goal approaching the season is to get fit so we can play the style of soccer we want and enjoy ourselves while competing for the highest rankings in the league.”

Writer’s predictions: Gaffa’s run to the title last season fell short against the eventual runner-ups, Cajun SC. That shouldn’t take away from a strong 2018 campaign by the Jackson, MS group that was lead by veterans, Tom Cosgrave and Cillian Thompson. With a good amount of core players returning and few new quality players, including our player to watch, Jorge Alverez Prendes, we can expect to see Gaffa make another strong push towards returning the GCPL Cup.

Home Venue: Harper Davis Field – Millsaps College

2018 Season: 5th in central division; 1-6-3; 6 points

Player to watch: Luan Balestieri (Midfielder) – A stellar 2018 season was had for the young Brazilian at Itawamba Community College, making the All-Region team and participating in the Juco All-Star game. The crafty midfielder will make his presence known on the field with a very high work rate and undeniable soccer IQ.

Coach’s Corner: Justin Roberts – “We have had a great response to the new season.  A core of dedicated returning players joins a new group of exciting high level players. We have made some adjustments to the team structure and training schedule that has driven a wave of new interest from players all over the south, and a few on the east coast.  It is always a good sign when you continually receive calls from current and former D1 players and a few former professionals. Word is spreading that we are doing something right and excitement is being generated by the soccer community…Every player will feel trust, transformation, and joy! How can we not have a blast this summer?!.”

Writer’s predictions: As predicted in last season’s preview, the Blues struggled to find their footing in a division that featured some veteran driven clubs. However this season the Jack Town unit has taken what they’ve learned from last season and have built a much more seasoned squad. With a strong partnership with USL League Two side, Mississippi Brilla, the Blues will be intertwining their squads a bit that should offer some high level play. We could see the second year club make a push in a strong Central Conference.

Home Venue: Pan American Stadium

2018 Season: 1st in central division; 8-1-1; 25 pts;

Player to watch: Hisham Abdelaziz (Midfielder) — The 3 year veteran has been a staple in Motagua’s midfield since joining the Blue Eagles in 2018. The Egyptian is a highly versatile box-to-box midfielder that allows Motagua’s creative players to do what they do best.

Coach’s Corner: Tony Martinez – “I am really excited at the level of play the teams within the GCPL have risen to. It is no longer a 2 team race, everyone has the ability to reach the pinnacle of the league. After a 2 year drought, we will prepare fervently to make another go at the title we once held.”

Writer’s predictions: There is no denying the Blue Eagles will surely be in the mix come July. With the core players returning and the addition of some much needed young prospects, we can expect more of the same from the New Orleans crew. However the past two seasons Motagua seemed to lose steam as the playoffs have not been kind to them, losing a whopping 5-2 to 2018 champs, Port City FC, in the semis. We should see this group make it back to the playoffs, but can they finish the season strong?

Home Venue: Wolverine Stadium (Northlake High School)

2018 Season: 4th in central division; 3-6-1; 10 points

Player to watch: Eric Schwing (Midfielder) – Entering his 2nd season with the Covington group, Schwing has consistently shown he is one of the top players in the GCPL with his quick and high paced play. With his supporting cast improving in the midfield we can expect to see Schwing be given more freedom to dominate the game.

Coach’s Corner: Chris Penton – ” We have a solid core of returning players and a strong group of newcomers that will help add depth to raise the standard within the team. The players that were brought in will help us keep the ball and create more chances. We are looking forward to watching them develop this summer.”

Writer’s predictions: The 2018 season showed to be a wake up call for the ambitious newcomers. Finding themselves dropping points after leading games was all too common for United. The 2019 season shows a little more promise with the inclusion of a strong new coaching staff and tsome seasoned players from the south of Lake Ponchartrain. Former New Orleans Jesters standouts, Mason Morise and Chase Rushing will join the Covington based club, which will surely improve an already impressive midfield. This could be their year to make some noise.