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)
