New Orleans, LA (April 7th) – The Gulf Coast Premier League (GCPL) announces 2021 men’s division schedule for the league’s 5th season. The season’s first match will see Gulf Coast United play host to Pensacola FC on May 8th at Herbert Wilson Stadium in the East Conference.
“This has surely been a very challenging year to prepare for,” said league Vice President of Operations, Jonathan Rednour. “With the concern for everyone’s safety and the uncertainty of when the appropriate timing would be to get back out on the pitch has made it a bit tough prepping for this season, but things look to be on the up and our clubs are eager.”
The GCPL welcomed three new clubs (Gulf Coast United, New Orleans United and Red River FC) to the league this offseason, along with the rebranding of two current clubs, BRSC Capitals formerly Baton Rouge United and Cajun Rush, formerly Cajun Soccer Club. 15 clubs will participate this season and will look to ride the wave of momentum from a very successful year in 2019. Gaffa FC return as the only former GCPL Cup winners (2017) competing this season with Cajun Rush (2017-2018) and Northshore United (2019) returning as former finalists.
“2019 was such a fun year to be a part of,” said league President, Jeremy Poklemba. “The level of competition on the field was the highest it has ever been, so for us to replicate that standard for 2021 we wanted to do what was best for our clubs and make sure they had the resources and ability to keep the momentum going.”
The West Conference will feature six clubs; Alexandria PBFC, Cajun Rush, Central Texas Lobos, Louisiana Krewe, Red River FC, Shreveport United and will play a double round robin for a total of 10 games, with the top two clubs qualifying for the GCPL playoffs.
The East Conference will feature nine clubs; BRSC Capitals, Crescent City FC, Gaffa FC, Gulf Coast Rangers, Gulf Coast United, Mobile United, New Orleans United, Northshore United and Pensacola FC and will play a 10 game schedule. To accommodate club’s eligibility to participate in the US Open Cup qualifying rounds, the league looked for a creative solution that would offer the minimum games required along with keeping travel respectable during the late stages of quarantine. The East Conference will use a points per game system to determine playoff placement.
VIEW GCPL SCHEDULE.
“The Gulf Coast Premier League (GCPL) serves as the leader in amateur soccer along the gulf coast region of the United States, offering a pathway for players pursuing their competitive careers further and assisting our member clubs to organically grow in their communities. The GCPL is sanctioned by the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA); a member of the United States Soccer Federation (USSF).
The GCPL is a 501(c)(3) non-profit charitable organization organized and operated with the ultimate goal of growing soccer and soccer culture in the gulf coast.”
