Tag: NPSL

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.

2022 Season Passes on sale now!

AFC Mobile’s 2022 season passes are now on sale! Lock in the lowest price of admission for all six National Premier Soccer League home games, presented by the Alabama Orthopaedic Clinic, plus admission to all friendlies and home postseason matches. All season ticket holders will receive additional benefits from AFC Mobile partners enrolled in the AFC Mobile Supporter’s Night Out program. Details on discounts will be announced over the coming weeks.

Season passes come in four packages:

Package A: Package A, a silicone AFC Mobile branded wristband that entitles you to admission to all AFC Mobile home matches and exclusive events, will be held at will call until picked up.

Package B: Get admission to every AFC Mobile National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) home match in 2022, including home playoffs, AND your choice of a 2022 Season Scarf OR a 2022 season t-shirt.

These designs are produced by Mobile-based artists and will be revealed prior to the season.

Package C: Gain admission to all of AFC Mobile’s 2022 NPSL home matches plus a 2022 scarf AND a 2022 season shirt.

These items are designed by Mobile-area artists and will be revealed prior to the season.

Package D: Gain admission to all AFC Mobile NPSL home matches in 2022, including playoffs hosted by AFC Mobile AND an AFC Mobile jersey (home or away), designed by Mobile-based Mighty Advertising and produced by hummel.

The 2022 scarf and home jersey will be revealed at a preseason event on April 22 at Braided River Brewing Company in downtown Mobile.

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

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. 

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 Announces 2021 Summer Schedule

AFC Mobile will return to the pitch this summer in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL). The Azaleas were set to make their NPSL debut in the summer of 2020, but the season was suspended due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. AFC Mobile will be facing some familiar foes in the Gulf Coast Conference, such as Pensacola FC, Port City FC, and Tallahassee SC, as well as new competition in Southern States SC Stars of Hattiesburg, Mississippi; Florida Roots of Panama City Beach, Florida; and the New Orleans Jesters.

Don’t miss any of the action this season… get your AFC Mobile season passes today! Four different season pass packages are available for purchase.

Package A: Package A, a silicone AFC Mobile branded wristband that entitles you to admission to all AFC Mobile home matches and exclusive events, will be held at will call until picked up.

Package B: Get admission to every AFC Mobile National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) home match in 2021, including home playoffs, AND your choice of a 2021 Season Scarf OR a 2021 season t-shirt. These designs are produced by Mobile-based artists and will be revealed prior to the season.

Package C: Gain admission to all of AFC Mobile’s 2021 NPSL home matches plus a 2021 scarf AND a 2021 season shirt. These items are designed by Mobile-area artists and will be revealed prior to the season.

Package D: Gain admission to all AFC Mobile NPSL home matches in 2021, including playoffs hosted by AFC Mobile AND AFC Mobile’s first-ever custom-designed home jersey, designed by local artists and produced by Hummel.

Capacity will be limited in 2021. Don’t miss Mobile’s return to action this summer!

AFC Mobile to Participate in NPSL Pilot Program

Mobile, Alabama – July 2nd, 2020 – AFC Mobile will participate in the National Premier Soccer League’s U-19 pilot program.

 

“The introduction of a U-19 pilot under the NPSL umbrella represents our commitment to grassroots soccer and supporting our teams’ growth potential.” NPSL Chairman Kenny Farrell said. “This new venture positions our clubs to further refine the local pathway to the top level of soccer in their area. Players from all backgrounds will have access to a highly visible platform to showcase their talent – particularly in geographic areas where opportunities are limited.  By giving players a legitimate local option to advance, it keeps them engaged with soccer at an affordable cost for families. The U-19 pilot will give NPSL teams the chance to develop their own academies or build relationships with existing programs.”

 

The pilot program will fall under the management of the NPSL and will be affiliated with the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA). The participating teams include AFC Mobile, New Orleans Jesters, Pensacola FC and Port City FC. 

 

The pilot will run from September through November.  Each team will play a total of six games, three home and three away.    

 

The gameday roster will consist of U-17, U-18, and U-19 players along with up to three overage players. The U-19 pilot program will give AFC Mobile Academy members the opportunity to train with the senior team. 

 

“The NPSL U-19 pilot is a perfect representation of what the teams in our conference want from their academies: a direct relationship with a pathway to our senior team,” AFC Mobile co-owner Sean Landry said. “It’s exciting that the NPSL is providing  new and challenging developmental opportunities for the young players in Mobile, on the Gulf Coast, and, hopefully soon, throughout the country.”

 

AFC Mobile’s U-19 team will be managed by first team head coach Steve Wieczorek. Wieczorek led AFC Mobile to the GCPL Cup playoffs in 2019 and has recently been named the Technical Director of the newly formed AFC Mobile Academy. He is also the current head coach at Spring Hill College. 

 

Those interested in playing for AFC Mobile’s U-19 team should contact the club at information@afcmobile.net

 

Chisom Ogbonna Named AFC Mobile Captain for 2020 NPSL Season

AFC Mobile’s all-time leading goalscorer, Chisom Ogbonna will take the armband as Club Captain in the team’s first season in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL).

“I am very proud to name Chisom as our next club captain,” said AFC Mobile head coach Steve Wieczorek. “He has all the qualities that I am looking for in a leader both on and off the field. He is well-liked and respected in the dressing room, a role model for young players and performs at a high level on the field. Most importantly, I can trust him to support me and always act in the best interest of the club.”

Ogbonna previously played in the NPSL in 2015 with FC Wichita. In his time with AFC Mobile, Chisom has scored 20 goals in 18 appearances.

Don’t miss a match with Chisom and his teammates – get season tickets now at afcmobile.net/shop! Starting at $35 for 5 guaranteed regular season games and free admission to any playoff matches hosted by AFC Mobile, Mobile’s locally owned soccer team.

AFC Mobile to join National Premier Soccer League

AFC Mobile

Mitchell Kahalley 

251-421-4819

mkahalley@afcmobile.net

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 

Mobile, Alabama – After three seasons of competing in the Gulf Coast Premier League (GCPL), AFC Mobile will join the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) for the 2020 season. The NPSL is one of the largest men’s leagues in the United States, with over 90 teams competing in multiple conferences throughout the country. The NPSL is affiliated with the United States Adult Soccer Association and the United States Soccer Federation, and offers direct access for its top teams to the US Open Cup, the oldest soccer competition in the US.

“It’s an exciting step for the club. Joining the NPSL gives us the opportunity to compete on the national stage and raises the profile of soccer in this area,” said AFC Mobile head coach Steve Wieczorek. 

AFC Mobile will anchor a new NPSL conference alongside former GCPL rivals Tallahassee SC, Pensacola FC and Port City FC (Gulfport, Miss.) The new conference will be rounded out by NPSL stalwarts New Orleans Jesters and former North American Soccer League side Jacksonville Armada. 

“With a fully professional league office, a national footprint, a direct pipeline to competing against USL and MLS clubs in the US Open Cup, and the ability to keep our rivalries against Port City FC, Pensacola FC and Tallahassee SC intact, NPSL offers us a great platform to continue to advocate for the people and culture of Mobile through our club,” AFC Mobile CFO Sean Landry said. “We’re eternally grateful to the GCPL for their support over the last three years, and we look forward to working with them as we continue to build our club and soccer on the Gulf Coast.” 

AFC Mobile will compete in the NPSL’s summer season, which runs from May to August. The season will consist of home-and-away matches against each team in the Gulf Coast Conference, and will culminate in a Conference playoff between the two highest-ranked teams in the Conference. The Conference champion will progress to a regional playoff, and, if successful, a national championship match. At the end of each season, the NPSL places its conference champions and other top-ranked teams into the US Open Cup, based on spots allocated to them by U.S. Soccer.

As a thank you to the fans who have brought us to this stage, we’re offering a limited time sale – 30% off everything in our store with the code ‘NPSL30’!

About AFC Mobile 

AFC Mobile is Mobile’s minor league soccer team. Founded in 2015, AFC Mobile is a locally owned organization with a mission to advocate for the growth and development of the City of Mobile through soccer, and to develop a vibrant, intelligent and passionate soccer community. The club partners with locally-focused organizations, from small businesses to global large-scale employers, and offers a variety of soccer-based community initiatives, while competing in the National Premier Soccer League.