Tag: mobile

AFC Mobile Falls To Southern States 2-1

Photo: Riley Ferrer/Ruby Media

Southern States Soccer Club scored twice in five minutes to beat AFC Mobile 2-1 on Saturday night. 

“I don’t think that the way the game went was really indicative of who we are and how well we played,” AFC Mobile interim manager Brent Grube said. “The second half got away from us, and we need to make sure we do a little better job of managing that.” 

The Stars held much of the early possession but could not translate control into chances. The Azaleas’ first serious opportunity came in the 25th minute on a free-kick. Ronaldo Fortune sent the ball in from the right. Alex Lozano got past the defense and on the end of the ball, but his shot sailed over the crossbar. The teams went into halftime level at 0-0. 

The Azaleas had an attack early in the second half when Ronaldo Fortune played the ball to Chris Salamatou on the counter-attack, but Salamatou could not get a shot off. Mobile keeper Gui Altoé came up with a big save in the 56th minute to keep the match level.

Fortune gave Mobile the lead in the 62nd minute after booming down the right-wing on a counterattack and slotting a low-rolling rocket of a shot into the far corner of the net. 

“We finally got him to start shooting a little bit quicker. He’s getting into the spaces a little bit better, and we’re able to get him the ball in more dangerous places,” Grube said of the Mobile forward, who has now scored three goals in three games.

The Stars equalized in the 73rd minute after a free-kick from their half was played into the box. The Azaleas attempted but could not clear the ball, which fell to the feet of the Stars’ Mason Walsh on the right side of the box. Walsh played the ball into the box, and it was headed in by the Stars’ substitute Samuel Dadzie.  Dadzie slotted home the winner in the 77th minute after a low-rolling cross from Walsh found its way through the AFC Mobile defense.  

The Azaleas finished the match with nine men, with Diego Candía receiving a red card in the 80th minute. Late into stoppage time, Mobile substitute Iba Ndaw saw a second yellow. 

AFC Mobile is heading to the Sunshine State to take on Florida Roots FC in Panama City on Thursday night and Tallahassee to take on Tallahassee Soccer Club next Saturday. Southern States will head to the Big Easy to take on the New Orleans Jesters next Saturday. 

Steve Wieczorek Smiling on the Sidelines

Steve Wieczorek Steps Down As Head Coach Of AFC Mobile

AFC Mobile and head coach Steve Wieczorek have mutually agreed to part ways in light of Coach Wieczorek’s upcoming move to Albany, New York to take the reigns as head coach of the men’s soccer team at The College of Saint Rose.

“It’s been a great run over the last couple of years at AFC Mobile, but it is important for me to step down and focus on the coaching opportunity that’s ahead of me,” Wieczorek said. “And I also think it’s important for the club and for the players to have a new voice that will help us achieve the goal of reaching the conference playoffs, which I think is well within our grasp.” 

Wieczorek has been the head coach of AFC Mobile since the 2019 season. In his first season with the club, Wieczorek led AFC Mobile to postseason play for the first time in the club’s history and the highest points total in the Gulf Coast Premier League Eastern Conference. He oversaw the club’s move to the National Premier Soccer League in the 2021 season and was integral to establishing the thriving AFC Mobile Academy. 

“On behalf of the entire AFC Mobile community, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Coach Wieczorek for his years of dedication and service managing our club,” President Abram Chamberlain said. “Saint Rose is getting a brilliant soccer mind who has had a successful career as a college coach.”

Former AFC Mobile goalkeeper and current assistant coach Brent Grube will take over as caretaker manager. In his final match, Wieczorek piloted AFC Mobile to its first win of the season, a 2-0 victory over Pensacola FC in Foley on Wednesday night. 

“I want to thank the fans for their unwavering support of me and the team,” Wieczorek said. “And thanks to the players for their hard work in training, their dedication to the club, and some awesome performances this season. I’ll never forget them, and I wish the club the utmost of luck and success in the future.” 

AFC Mobile (1-0-3, 3pts, -3 GD) will host the New Orleans Jesters (3-0-2, 9pts, -1 GD) this Saturday night at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex at 7 p.m. This match is the club’s annual First Responders Night. All firefighters, police officers, and EMTs will be admitted for free.

AFC Mobile Falls to Florida Roots in Home Opener

Despite a strong performance, AFC Mobile lost 2-1 to Florida Roots on Saturday night in their first home match of the 2022 National Premier Soccer League season. 

“I’m really proud of the players. They performed. They gave everything they could. We were ball-dominant, especially in the second half,” AFC Mobile Manager Steve Wieczorek said. “But it’s hard when you give up an early goal and you’re constantly chasing the game. Similar script to our first game. We created more chances, but the same result kind of in the same way, which is tough.” 

Florida Roots opened the scoring in the second minute of the match when AFC Mobile gave the ball away in the midfield and Richard Bushmeister fired a long-range effort that beat Will Blake into the Mobile goal. Despite the rough start, the Azaleas were dominant for much of the first half, having the majority of possession and chances for the remainder of the half. The Azaleas came out in the second half just as strong with chances from Tate Richards, Lucas Ros, and Ronaldo Fortune in the first fifteen minutes.

The Azaleas equalized in the 70th minute after sustained build-up play from the midfield. Mobile’s Alex Lozano played a short pass to Lucas Ros. Ros sent the ball straight back to Lozano who threaded the Roots defense and slotted home the equalizer.

Roots scored the winner in the 82nd minute off of a corner kick. The Roots players formed a huddle at the top of the penalty area and then attacked the box and headed in the winner. 

Florida Roots move to 2-2-0 on the season. They will take on Tallahassee SC on Saturday, May 28th. AFC Mobile moves to 0-2-0 on the year. The Azaleas will return to the pitch on Wednesday night to host Pensacola FC in Mobile. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex 3610 Michael Blvd, Mobile, AL 36609. Tickets are $10 and as always kids 12 and under are admitted for free. Wednesday is also our annual Military Appreciation Night! All former and active-duty military personnel are admitted for free with a valid ID.

AFC Mobile to partner with Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic

AFC Mobile, Mobile’s minor league soccer team, and the Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic, P.C., a leading full-service provider of orthopaedic healthcare in Mobile, have entered into a long-term partnership, the two organizations announced Thursday. 

The partnership will make AOC the official sports medicine provider and presenting sponsor of AFC Mobile, providing the team’s players high-quality healthcare by AOC physicians and athletic trainers on game days and in training. AOC’s logo will be placed on the front of the AFC Mobile and AFC Mobile Academy jerseys for the next three years. 

“More than anything, this partnership will help us provide a top-tier experience for the players of AFC Mobile,” Sean Landry, AFC Mobile CFO, said. “Adding the incredible doctors, athletic trainers, physical therapists and professionals of the Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic to our roster will ensure the players who work so hard for this club and our fans are given the level of care they so richly deserve. We’re thankful to the Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic for their support of Mobile’s Minor League Soccer Team.” 

Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic, located at 3610 Springhill Memorial Drive in Mobile, offers a wide range of orthopaedic healthcare, including foot & ankle specialities, hand injury specialities, interventional pain management, spine care, orthopaedic trauma treatment, general orthopaedics and sports medicine. In addition to its Mobile office, AOC operates a clinic at 75 Shell Street, Saraland, AL. 

A new home jersey bearing the AOC logo will be unveiled by the team in April 2022, and will be available for purchase on the team’s website. The 2022 home jersey will also be included in some season ticket packages that will be available for purchase on the AFC Mobile website in the coming days. 

About AFC Mobile: 

AFC Mobile is Mobile’s minor league soccer team, competing in the National Premier Soccer League. The 2022 season begins in May and runs through July. The schedule is available at afcmobile.net. All home games will be played at the Archbishop Oscar H. Lipscomb Complex – “The Lip.”  Tickets begin at just $10, and children 12 and under are free with adult admission. Follow AFC Mobile on all your favorite social media platforms to keep up-to-date on additional information about the 2022 season!

CONTACT: 

Mitchell Kahalley

mkahalley@afcmobile.net

(251) 421-4819

-END-

AFC Mobile Announces 2022 NPSL Schedule

AFC Mobile, Mobile’s minor league soccer team, released its 2022 National Premier Soccer League schedule on Wednesday. The Azaleas will face a familiar yet formidable slate of opponents in its second NPSL season.

AFC Mobile opens the season on Saturday, May 7th, against rivals the New Orleans Jesters in the first of two “Mardi Gras Cup” matches to be played this season. 

The Azaleas will return to the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex on Saturday, May 21st, to take on Florida Roots FC from Panama City. Four days later, on May 25th, Pensacola FC will travel to Lip to take on AFC Mobile in what has become one of the most consistently exciting fixtures in minor league soccer. Mobile came back from a three-goal deficit to beat the ‘59ers 4-3 in Pensacola in 2018 and defeated them by the same score in 2019. Last season, the 59ers took home victories in both fixtures against AFC Mobile en route to a Conference Finals appearance. The Azaleas will be looking to right the ship and regain the upper hand against their I-10 rivals. 

AFC Mobile will open June with a tough slate of three matches in one week. Mobile will host the Jacksonville Armada on Saturday, June 4th. Four days later, on June 8th, the Azaleas will travel to Ashton Brosnaham Stadium to play the reverse fixture against Pensacola FC. The New Orleans Jesters will head to the Lip on Saturday 

The Azaleas host the reigning Gulf Coast Conference champions Southern States Soccer Club on Saturday, June 18th. On June 23rd AFC Mobile will travel to Panama City to take on Florida Roots FC. Two days later, the Azaleas will head to Tallahassee to face the Battle Lions of Tallahassee SC. On June 29th, AFC Mobile will head to Hattiesburg, Mississippi, to play the second fixture against the Southern States. The Azaleas’ final road game will be on July 2nd, against the Jacksonville Armada U23s. AFC Mobile will close the regular season at home against Tallahassee SC on Saturday, July 9th. 

The conference semifinals are scheduled for Wednesday, July 13th, with the Conference Championship scheduled for July 19th. Each match will be hosted by the highest seeds. 

Details on how to purchase season tickets will be announced soon. AFC Mobile plays all home matches at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex. Tickets are $10 for adults. Kids 12 and under are admitted for free. All home matches will kick off at 7 p.m. CST. Like AFC Mobile on Facebook, follow AFC Mobile on Twitter and Instagram, and visit www.afcmobile.net to stay up to date on all things AFC Mobile. 

AFC Mobile 2022 NPSL Season (All matches 7 p.m. local):

  • Saturday, May 7, 2022 – @New Orleans Jesters
  • Saturday, May 21, 2022 – HOME vs Florida Roots
  • Wednesday, May 25, 2022 – HOME vs Pensacola FC
  • Saturday, June 4, 2022 – HOME vs Jacksonville Armada FC
  • Wednesday June 8, 2022 – @Pensacola FC
  • Saturday, June 11, 2022 – HOME vs New Orleans Jesters
  • Saturday, June 18, 2022 – HOME vs Southern States SC
  • Thursday, June 23, 2022 – @Florida Roots (Panama City)
  • Saturday, June 25, 2022 – @Tallahassee SC
  • Wednesday, June 29, 2022 – @Southern States SC (Hattiesburg, MS – kickoff 7:30 p.m.)
  • Saturday, July 2, 2022 – @Jacksonville Armada
  • Saturday, July 9, 2022 – HOME vs Tallahassee SC

AFC Mobile Falls to Tallahassee SC in Final Game of the Season

Tallahassee SC edged AFC Mobile 2-1 at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex on Saturday night in both teams’ last match of the season. The result knocked AFC Mobile out of the running for a playoff berth. 

“I’m a big believer in the fact that a game shows you what you deserve. We drew three games and lost today from winning positions. That’s not good enough if you want to be a playoff team,” AFC Mobile head coach Steve Wieczroek said. “The reality is that we’ve had a lot of attrition in terms of players moving on at different parts of the season and we are where we deserve to be. So tonight’s performance kind of typifies that.” 

The Azaleas started the night on the right foot with a goal from forward Iba Ndaw. In the third minute of the match, Clairy Kengeye chipped the ball over the Tallahassee backline onto the feet of Ndaw, who charged at the Tallahassee goal and fired the shot past keeper Grant Wollam. 

There were only a few chances for either side for the remainder of the first half. In the 31st minute, a hard collision in the Tallahassee box sent Mobile’s Thierry Zabarel to the concussion protocol. Zabarel was cleared to return to the match just before the end of the half. However, the injury led to five minutes of stoppage time. In the third minute of stoppage, Tallahassee’s Cam Earls slotted home a shot off of a free kick equalizing the score just before halftime. 

The second half was a cagey affair with few quality chances for either side. AFC Mobile’s all-time leading goalscorer Chisom Ogbonna checked into the match with thirty minutes left to play. He created a few chances but nothing that threatened the Tallahassee defense. The Battle Lions took the lead in the 83rd minute after Tallahassee was awarded a penalty. Sy Fontenot stepped up to take the spot kick. His shot was saved by Mobile’s keeper Will Blake, but Fontenot put away the rebound giving the Battle Lions the 2-1 victory on the night as well as the first time that either team had won a match in the history of this fixture. Until this match, all three previous fixtures between the clubs ended in a draw. 

After the match, AFC Mobile’s head coach Steve Wieczorek reflected on the season for the Azaleas.  “We put in some really good performances in terms of being competitive in games, but really just lacked whatever is needed to be where we want to be,” Wieczorek said. “We are where we should be, but not where we want to be as a club.  

Wieczorek also said that the club will get to work preparing for the 2022 season right away.  “There needs to be a full assessment of all the choices I’ve made. Obviously as a coach I’m going to think about what choices I made. Did I play the right players at the right positions… at the right times… did I make the right choices throughout the season?  And then I’m going to assess if I brought in the right players. Were they the right players in terms of culture and in terms of ability? And then we’ll assess where we need to go from here. Because we can’t have a thousand people watch us finish in the bottom half of the league.” 

AFC Mobile finished its inaugural season in the NPSL fifth among eight teams in the Gulf Coast Conference.

Tallahassee SC edged AFC Mobile 2-1 at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex on Saturday night in both teams’ last match of the season. The result knocked AFC Mobile out of the running for a playoff berth. 

“I’m a big believer in the fact that a game shows you what you deserve. We drew three games and lost today from winning positions. That’s not good enough if you want to be a playoff team,” AFC Mobile head coach Steve Wieczroek said. “The reality is that we’ve had a lot of attrition in terms of players moving on at different parts of the season and we are where we deserve to be. So tonight’s performance kind of typifies that.” 

The Azaleas started the night on the right foot with a goal from forward Iba Ndaw. In the third minute of the match, Clairy Kengeye chipped the ball over the Tallahassee backline onto the feet of Ndaw, who charged at the Tallahassee goal and fired the shot past keeper Grant Wollam. 

There were only a few chances for either side for the remainder of the first half. In the 31st minute, a hard collision in the Tallahassee box sent Mobile’s Thierry Zabarel to the concussion protocol. Zabarel was cleared to return to the match just before the end of the half. However, the injury led to five minutes of stoppage time. In the third minute of stoppage, Tallahassee’s Cam Earls slotted home a shot off of a free kick equalizing the score just before halftime. 

The second half was a cagey affair with few quality chances for either side. AFC Mobile’s all-time leading goalscorer Chisom Ogbonna checked into the match with thirty minutes left to play. He created a few chances but nothing that threatened the Tallahassee defense. The Battle Lions took the lead in the 83rd minute after Tallahassee was awarded a penalty. Sy Fontenot stepped up to take the spot kick. His shot was saved by Mobile’s keeper Will Blake, but Fontenot put away the rebound giving the Battle Lions the 2-1 victory on the night as well as the first time that either team had won a match in the history of this fixture. Until this match, all three previous fixtures between the clubs ended in a draw. 

After the match, AFC Mobile’s head coach Steve Wieczorek reflected on the season for the Azaleas.  “We put in some really good performances in terms of being competitive in games, but really just lacked whatever is needed to be where we want to be,” Wieczorek said. “We are where we should be, but not where we want to be as a club.  

Wieczorek also said that the club will get to work preparing for the 2022 season right away.  “There needs to be a full assessment of all the choices I’ve made. Obviously as a coach I’m going to think about what choices I made. Did I play the right players at the right positions… at the right times… did I make the right choices throughout the season?  And then I’m going to assess if I brought in the right players. Were they the right players in terms of culture and in terms of ability? And then we’ll assess where we need to go from here. Because we can’t have a thousand people watch us finish in the bottom half of the league.” 

AFC Mobile finished its inaugural season in the NPSL fifth among eight teams in the Gulf Coast Conference.

Pensacola FC Scores Late to Sink AFC Mobile 1-0

Photo Credit: Seth Laubinger

After days of uncertainty due to the looming threat of Tropical Depression Claudette, Pensacola FC was able to make the trip west on I-10 to take on AFC Mobile on what turned out to be a beautiful night for soccer at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex. Despite the beautiful weather, the night ended in depression for Mobile fans as Pensacola FC scored a goal in the 89th minute to seal a 1-0 victory. 

The Azaleas had a significant chance in the first half when striker Karl Mbouombouo was played past the Pensacola backline by Ronaldo Fortune. However, Pensacola’s keeper, Jules Dechert, closed down Mbouombouo, forcing the forward to play a shot straight at the keeper.  Mobile had another chance in the 23rd minute when Fortune’s low-rolling, long-range effort slid just to the left of the goal. Fortune led the Azaleas to another chance just five minutes later when he picked the ball up in midfield and sprayed it wide to Clairy Kengeye, who throttled a shot while being closed down by a Pensacola defender. Kengeye’s effort was stopped but bobbled by Dechert, who collected the ball as Kengeye ran at him. 

Dechert sent the ball down the field for the 59ers. After a lovely passage of play, Pensacola took a shot that was saved by Mobile’s goalkeeper Will Blake. It was one of several saves the Mobile native made on the night to keep the Azaleas level.

The home team took another chance in the 32nd minute when Fortune was played in behind the Pensacola backline by Kengeye. Fortune brought the ball down and tried to chip Dechert, but the Pensacola keeper kept his composure, reached up, and saved Fortune’s shot. Then, in the 36th minute, Mobile’s Kengeye was shown a yellow card for a light shove on a Pensacola player.  

“We put ourselves in a position that we needed to be in to score goals, and there were a couple of other moments in the first half as well where we were able to do that,” AFC Mobile head coach Steve Wiezorek said. “Unfortunately, in the game of soccer when you don’t capitalize on those chances, the game has ebbs and flows, and the flow went back against us. You get what you get when it doesn’t go in the back of the net.” 

Mobile made two changes to start the second half. Eddie Dakwa came on for Salia Carr and Iba Ndaw for Karl Mbouombouo. However, the 59ers came out strong in the second half and were awarded a free kick in the 51st minute, which was saved by a diving Will Blake, continuing the dominant goalkeeping performances seen from both sides in the first half. 

In what had been a fantastic attacking performance so far, the Azaleas attempted to sharpen their attacking edge by bringing on Chisom Ogbonna for Blake Palmquist. The home team nearly took the lead in the 69th minute when Fortune charged down the right-wing and pulled the ball back to avoid Dechert. However, Dechert slid into Fortune, causing him to go down and causing the fans to clamor for a penalty that was not given. Ten minutes later, Clairy Kengeye saw his second yellow card on the night, leaving the home team down to 10 men. 

“I’m disappointed obviously,” Wieczorek said. “I never put things on the referee, that’s the referee’s decision and choice, but obviously he has to know that the player has a yellow card, so that decision has to be worthy to be another yellow card because you understand that you change the dynamic of the game drastically. So now we went from being in a position where we had a decent foothold in the game and could potentially score, and now we’re just hanging on. And we couldn’t.” 

Pensacola’s Samuel Richards was cautioned in the 87th minute when he brought down Mobile’s Iba Ndaw on a counter-attack. The fans clamored for more than a red card on what they believed was a clear goalscoring opportunity, but Richards was shown only a yellow. This set up a Mobile free-kick from just beyond midfield. Defender Zubair Taylor sent a beautiful ball into the box that was headed wide right of the goal by Stanley Joseph. 

Pensacola took the lead in the 89th minute when Jamaican international Jabari Hylton received a ball in the box and maneuvered his way past Mobile’s Stanley Joseph to slot home the game-winner. The goal was Hylton’s second in as many games for the 59ers. 

Pensacola FC will attempt to build on this win when they travel to Tommy Oliver Stadium in Panama City this Tuesday to take on Florida Roots FC. This ended a four-match homestand for the Azaleas, who will now travel to the Sunshine State to play three matches on the road. The first of which is also against Florida Roots this Thursday night. 

AFC Mobile Draws New Orleans Jesters 1-1

Photo Credit: Michael Shartava

AFC Mobile drew the New Orleans Jesters 1-1 on Saturday night at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex to remain unbeaten at home in the 2021 season.

“The Jesters are a tried and true NPSL club. So the positives – we’ve played them twice, we’ve got two draws. They were competitive games, we’re evenly matched. Maybe they had a little bit more of it today, but again we’ve had enough chances to win games and win this game tonight. So I’m proud of the guys’ effort,” AFC Mobile head coach Steve Wieczorek said. 

It was an even affair in the first twenty minutes of the match with few scoring opportunities for both sides. Mobile’s Ronaldo Fortune provided a spark for the home side when goalkeeper Will Blake played a long ball out of his own box, finding the feet of Fortune in behind the New Orleans defense. Fortune was taken down in the box and the home fans clamored for a penalty, but it was not given. The Azaleas opened the scoring in the 20th minute thanks to some fantastic combination play between Fortune and midfielder Soane Deminguet. Fortune played the ball to Deminguet, who dribbled down the left wing and sent an arching cross back to Fortune at the top of the box. Fortune chested the ball down and struck it with his first touch, sending it soaring over New Orleans’ keeper Lemoy Graham and into the back of the net. 

“Credit to Soane, it was beautiful play leading up to the goal,” Fortune said. “To be fair, he played the ball to my chest and I had a good touch and I didn’t have enough time to dribble or anything, so I just thought ‘you know what? The coaches always tell me to shoot, so why not shoot.’”

Much of the first half saw New Orleans pressing hard to equalize, forcing Mobile’s goalkeeper to make a few spectacular saves to keep the home team’s lead. However, Blake was beaten in the 45th minute when New Orleans’ Sheldon Green sweetly struck a ball at the top of the box and into the Mobile net, making the match 1-1 at the half. 

It was a defensive struggle to start the second half with both teams finding space and scoring opportunities hard to come by. Mobile saw a few chances near the end of the half when Fortune played a slick, low-rolling cross to Iba Ndaw. Ndaw tried to find Fortune to complete the one-two, but the ball was easily cleared by the Jesters. Late in the match, Mobile’s Blake Palmquist was tightly marked and his shot soared over the crossbar. 

The 1-1 draw keeps Mobile in fourth place in the NPSL Gulf Coast Conference standings. The Azaleas will play two home matches this week, welcome the second-place Southern States this Wednesday, and Pensacola FC on Saturday night. New South Alabama head football coach Kane Wommack will join us to do the opening coin toss on Wednesday night. Next Saturday night will be our annual Military Appreciation Night where military personnel are admitted for free with a valid ID. Tickets for both matches can be purchased here.

Late Equalizer Sees AFC Mobile Draw New Orleans Jesters

Photo Credit: James E. Cage Jr.

NEW ORLEANS – An early headed goal from left back Mario Gratzl was neutralized by a late equalizer as AFC Mobile drew the New Orleans Jesters 1-1 in the first meeting of the clubs in the NPSL.

“I wanted us to come here, score a goal, get a point. When you look at the game in context, we’re winning, and then they score. So you start to feel disappointed because you’re in a winning position, but overall we accomplished our objective,” AFC Mobile head coach Steve Wieczorek said. 

The match was fairly even at the start of the first half. The Azaleas were on the hunt early when the ball was picked up on a giveaway in the midfield by Mobile forward Iba Ndaw. Ndaw slotted the ball to Ronaldo Fortune, whose shot was saved by New Orleans keeper Jose Santos. 

Minutes later, AFC Mobile keeper Will Blake saved an open back-post header from New Orleans’ Jackson Hulme, the first of several crucial saves for the visitors.  

Mobile took the lead in the 15th minute on a well-worked corner kick. Soane Deminguet sent the ball into the box for Gratzl to head down and into the net, scoring the Azaleas’ first goal of the season and giving them a 1-0 lead. 

The Jesters had two chances to equalize before the break, but were kept at bay by Blake with a fingertip save that tipped a long-range effort over the bar, followed by a 37th minute stop to keep the score level and send Mobile into the half with a 1-0 lead.

“You take it one save at a time,” Blake said. “I was talking to myself a lot, saying that ‘alright, just make one save, make one save.’ That adds up, and that’ll get you the points.”

The second half saw the introduction of two veteran AFC Mobile players for the first time since 2019. Zubair Taylor came into the game for Stanley Joseph, which sent center-back Vlad Margolin to right back, making the new center-back pairing Taylor and starter Thierry Zabarel. Andrew Rhoda checked in for Blake Palmquist in a deep midfield role. The Jesters switched to a back three after halftime and sent defender Mason Morise into an attacking position.  

It was a slow start to the second half. Iba Ndaw saw a yellow card in the 61st minute after a tackle to stop a Jesters’ breakaway. The Azaleas nearly doubled their lead in the 63rd minute when Deminguet sent a backheel pass to a running Iba Ndaw in the box. The forward slotted the ball into the back of the net but was flagged offside. Minutes later, the Jesters’ Jackson Hulme was carded for a rough challenge in the midfield. 

The Jesters nearly equalized in the 70th minute when Mason Walsh picked out Morise outside the box. He rounded an advancing Blake, but sent his shot wide right from a tight angle. 

The last twenty minutes saw a flurry of substitutions for the Azaleas. Chisom Ogbonna came into the match for Iba Ndaw. In the 76th minute, Erik Aispuro replaced an injured Eddie Dakwa. Will Blake made two more crucial saves in the 77th minute after a New Orleans free kick and subsequent long-range effort. 

In the 83rd minute, Erik Aispuro got in behind the Jesters’ backline, but Santos saved his shot. A minute later, Mobile’s goalscorer Mario Gratzl earned the Azaleas’ second yellow card of the night. 

In the 90th minute, New Orleans’ Mason Walsh played in a right-footed cross that was bundled home by forward Sheldon Green after a goalmouth scramble, leveling the match at 1-1. A few minutes into stoppage time, Salia Carr came on for Jackson Wheatley on the right wing. Neither team was able to find the goal in stoppage time, and the game ended in a 1-1 draw in the first meeting of the clubs since a 2017 preseason friendly.

  “The fact that after a hard-fought 90 minutes where we achieved our goals and the guys were disappointed and upset, it tells me a lot about the character of the guys that we have, so I was really really happy,” Wieczorek said. 

The Azaleas have taken one point out of a possible six on a two-game road trip to start the NPSL season. Coach Wieczorek said he was anticipating the long-awaited return of the Azaleas to the Lip.

“I’m really excited about the next match and playing in front of our fans now. We got to have our traveling supporters come, and that was awesome. Getting to see that level of support from the Rebellion and also from the Academy families. But, I think it’s going to be special finally getting back in front of our home fans, and I think we’re gonna be ready and I think we’ll get the right result.”

AFC Mobile returns to the Lip for the first time since 2019. The Azaleas will take on their former GCPL and current NPSL Gulf Coast rivals Port City FC of Gulfport, Mississippi, in the first leg of the 2021 Forgotten Coast Cup. AFC Mobile currently holds the rivalry cup, which is determined by the aggregate score of the two matches between the teams during the regular season.

Kickoff is set for 7 p.m. at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex, 3610 Michael Blvd, Mobile, AL 36609. Tickets are $10, and children 12 and under are admitted for free. Season tickets are still on sale and can be purchased here or at Braided River Brewing Company in downtown Mobile (package A only). Single-game tickets can be purchased at the gate on the night of the match or online here

AFC Mobile and Evonik Corporation to partner

MOBILE – (April 24th) AFC Mobile, Mobile’s minor league soccer team, announced a partnership with Evonik Corporation, a global specialty chemical company.

“Evonik is the perfect partner for us, and stands for many of the things we hope to stand for as a city and as a club,” said Sean Landry, AFC Mobile board member and Chief Financial Officer. “Evonik is industrial but creative, has global sensibilities but is committed to its local community. We look forward to working together to grow Mobile this season and for years to come.”

Through its partnership with AFC Mobile, Evonik will become the new jersey sponsor of Mobile’s soccer team for the 2019 Gulf Coast Premier League season. As a long-time partner and primary shareholder of Borussia Dortmund, one of the largest and most successful teams in Germany, Evonik has experience in developing its communities through soccer, and coordinated a coaching clinic in the Mobile area provided by the 8-time German Champions in 2018. The Mobile site is Evonik’s largest production facility in North America, located in the Theodore Industrial Park in Mobile County. The facility is also recognized as a World Class Specialty Chemical Manufacturer and has been a leading employer in the community for well over 40 years.