The return of AFC Mobile to the Archbishop Lipscomb Stadium is upon us. On Saturday, April 28th, the Azaleas open up the Lip as they take on GCPL debutant Northshore United FC at 7:00 pm. After facing off against one of the more historic amateur sides in the country, AFC Mobile will meet a fellow GCPL team in preseason action. This will be Northshore United’s first match after their inaugural year in which they competed in friendly matches against several GCPL teams.
CLUB: Northshore United FC
NICKNAME: United
Northshore United will look for a productive start in its inaugural GCPL season. United is setup up like a traditional PDL team with more college players than local talent. The club was created with hopes to fill the gap between the end of youth club competitive play and the professional level. The Covington, Louisiana based team played seven friendlies last summer finishing with a 6-1 record in friendlies including against several GCPL and GCPL reserve sides.
The club held its final open tryout on Saturday, April 21, leaving one week of preparation for this weekend’s match. “My expectations are just for continued growth,” said Head Coach Nick Chetta. “To give an opportunity for some guys to show their abilities and hopefully find some to help us to be successful this year,” Chetta added.
NUFC will also get its first taste of a large GCPL crowd. “I don’t know if any of our players have experienced an environment like AFC Mobile,” said NUFC Captain Sal Bavido. “It should be exciting and a bit nerve-racking for us. I’m sure we’ll settle in after ten minutes of playing, but definitely looking forward to the atmosphere and the experience.”
PLAYERS TO WATCH: Sal Bavido, who serves as the team captain, will be pulling strings for the Northshore attack in the midfield. Meanwhile, the defensive prowess and leadership of NUFC’s 2017 MVP Pat Rye will prove invaluable as they enter Sweet Lunacy’s County Seat for the 2018 home debut of AFC Mobile.
The club can be found at www.northshoreutd.com and on twitter @northshoreutd.
Tickets to Saturday’s game are just $5 each, and all kids 12 and under will be admitted free of charge. There is still time to purchase season tickets giving you admission to all seven home games for only $27! All AFC Mobile home games are played at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Conference located at 3610 Michael Boulevard in Mobile.
