Coming off a successful first year, BOCA Knights FC, or BOCA FC, is entering their second year with high ambitions. After an early red card, in a must win contest v. Motagua New Orleans in their last game of the season, squandered their chances of raising the trophy, the Knights have been working hard in their offseason to make sure they’ll be back in the thick of things come March. Over the summer, BOCA FC became the 4th team in the last three years to represent Louisiana at the USASA Region III National Cup.
Team overview: The Knights have had to go in sort of a rebuilding mode with the emergence of their cross town foes, Rafters FC. Although a good amount of their players transferred, a solid core still exist within the squad. Up top the absence of recently transferred, Quesi Weston, will surely be felt, but the Port City outfit have put confidence in Hector Carvajal and Antonio Acosta to lead the attack. In the midfield returns Sergio Perez and Allan Murillo, with the addition of Rafa Muniz. Protecting the sheets will be Saul Romero, Emanuel Faz and Francisco Simoncini with Chandler McInnis between the sticks.
BOCA came on the scene last year with a mission to prove that Shreveport has the talent residing within itself to compete with the best of them; and they did just that by finishing second in the league. The Knights allowed only 3 goals through their first seven games before giving up 4 in their last contest of the season. However the challenge they face going into this season is the defensive unit that kept their opponents attack at bay has moved over to cross town rivals, Rafters FC. The current group who is predicted to lead the back line gave up 9 goals in three games during their USASA Region III National Cup run in June.
With the formation of the Rafters, the Knights were hit hard with a lot of their top talent transferring over. This will surely be the biggest challenge for the Port City boys as they try to fill in the gaps. Luckily for them their core midfield players return with the addition of some younger talent to offer more depth. These hurdles will surely test the Knights as they focus on trying to improve from their second place finish in last year’s LPL season.
On a side note, the Knights are the first team in GCPL history to have a player internationally transfer from their club. Former Wiley College forward, Quesi Weston of Trinidad and Tabago, was transferred to 4th tier Turkish outfit, Nevşehirspor GK, in late August. Weston featured in the second half of last season for BOCA.
One to watch: Sergio Perez, Attacking Mid / Center Mid
The Texas native and former Lon Morris Juco standout rejoins the Knights after a successful 15-16 season. Last year Perez featured in more of a center mid, box to box, role and offered a great link for the Knights; but this year the crafty midfielder will be stepping in 10 spot to help lead the attacking charge for the boys in blue.
