This weekend’s Eastern Conference matchup between Tallahassee SC and the Gulf Coast Rangers at Fairhope Municipal Stadium has been selected by Third Coast Soccer to be this week’s Game of the Week. With both of these teams tied at the top of the Eastern Conference standings with eleven points apiece, this game could potentially decide who takes the number one seed in the East. AFC Mobile also has eleven points in the Eastern Conference, so the top of the table is up for grabs as things start to heat up during the second half of the regular season.
After starting the season undefeated, the Rangers are coming into this match hoping to recover from a devastating 7-2 loss in last week’s outing versus Pensacola FC. Sitting in last place in the East, the 59ers handed Gulf Coast their first loss of the season as they were able to shut down the Rangers with their outstanding offense and stubborn defense.
For Gulf Coast Ranger’s Head Coach Daniel Whelan, there was a lot to reflect on after the game.
“The result against Pensacola was disappointing but it was what we deserved,” stated Coach Whelan. “Pensacola FC were much better than us on the night. I think it’s a reflection of the strength of the league. There are no easy games in the conference and if you don’t play well you don’t win. In terms of competitiveness, there isn’t much between all of the teams and on any given Saturday anyone can beat anyone.”
David Hall fires off a shot in Rangers first contest vs. Tallahassee SC on May 18th. Photo credit: Hannah Olson
Gulf Coast will be looking towards forward David Hall on Saturday night to lead them to victory as he has scored five goals in the last six games for the Rangers this season. Hall has a strong work ethic and positive attitude which makes him a role model for his teammates on and off the field. Two other notable players to watch for during this weekends matchup are Yan Livenu and Sergi Cebrian. Yan is a fierce forward and the reigning MVP in the Eastern Conference, while Sergi is a hungry young defensive midfielder who just finished his junior year of high school.
In their inaugural season in the GCPL, Tallahassee SC has a surprisingly impressive record with three wins, two losses, and one tie. It often takes a new club about a year or two to get acclimated with the level of play in the GCPL, but it seems as though TLHSC has come ready to compete.
“Knowing the level of teams competing in the GCPL and the quality of the players and coaches, we knew we had to assemble a team up to the league standards,” commented Tallahassee SC Head Coach Josh Bruno. “We were able to identify local talent from various sources that help make up the community such as FSU, FAMU, TCC, Thomas University, Local youth coaches from FL Elite Tallahassee, local high schools, Tallahassee Adult Soccer, and former college and ex professionals who now reside in Tallahassee.”
Even though Tallahassee SC has had a great deal of success on the field, the club has also made an impact on the surrounding community.
“Our board was excited to create an experience for the community to watch local players compete at a high level. We knew that there was talent in our area and we were focused on developing a program that those players would feel welcomed and supported in. Our goal was to be competitive and we are proud of our athletes for having our team in the playoff conversation in our first year. We cannot wait to see how the next four weeks play out.”
Tallahassee SC celebrates after tying game with Rangers on May 18th. Photo credit: Hannah Olson
Tallahassee SC is backed by a brick wall for a goalkeeper with Hugo Peruzzi playing between the posts. He has led one of the best defenses in the league, securing two shutouts and only surrendering six total goals on the year. His distribution and communication keep the defense together through the offensive attacks. Another star player for Tallahassee is Aron Wimberly. Wimberly leads a stellar midfield with his defensive prowess and ability to read the game. He has no fear when it comes to making a tackle and can distribute the ball to the playmakers ahead of him. The last player to look out for during the contest is winger Boneco Bazil. He has all the talent to put pressure on the opposing defense from the first to the final whistle and he has proven that he can distribute the ball and score on his own.
It’s obvious that this is going to be an exciting match to watch over the weekend, so whether you are traveling to Fairhope Municipal Stadium or live streaming the game from your couch, be sure to tune in at 7:00 pm on Saturday night to support these two Eastern Conference competitors.
This Game of the Week feature is sponsored by Third Coast Soccer. The largest retail soccer store in the gulf south. Visit www.thirdcoastsoccer.net today!
