MOBILE – (March 27th) AFC Mobile will travel to Chattanooga, Tennessee to take on take on the 2018 NPSL Southeast Conference champions Chattanooga FC. The match will take place on April 27th at Finley Stadium.
“AFC Mobile is another example of a soccer team doing things the right way,” said Sheldon Grizzle, President, Chattanooga Football Club. “We’ve been really impressed with what they’ve been doing as they enter their third season, and can’t wait to bring them here.”
Chattanooga FC is one of the most successful and well-supported teams in the lower divisions of American soccer. The club boasts one of the largest fanbases in the NPSL, won the NPSL Southeast Division in 2018 and opened its 2019 by drawing over 7,000 fans to a preseason friendly against 30-time Guatemalan champions Communicaciones FC.
“This is the fixture we’ve been imagining since day one of founding this club. Chattanooga FC is the standard by which all ambitious grassroots clubs measure themselves, and the board of CFC has been an invaluable resource to us, just as the Chattahooligans were when we were a wandering supporter’s group.” said AFC Mobile CFO Sean Landry. “In conversations between our two boards, we’ve often remarked on how similar our cities are – in size, in demographic, in passion, in culture, and in creativity. I’m glad to finally bring our two great clubs and communities together.”
This will be the third time that AFC Mobile will take on NPSL competition, after opening the 2018 season against the Atlanta Silverbacks and hosting the New Orleans Jesters. AFC Mobile head coach Steve Wieczorek is looking forward to testing his side against a team from a higher division.
“I am excited for us to have an opportunity to get a match against a top team from a higher division in preseason” said Wieczorek. “The friendly will certainly help us build our fitness levels and develop our style of play further under match conditions.”
Wieczorek will be facing a familiar face when he brings the Azaleas to Finley Stadium. Chattanooga FC’s coach is former Mobile Revelers player and current University of West Florida coach Bill Elliot. Wieczorek’s Spring Hill team and Elliot’s West Florida team met twice in the Gulf South Conference last season. Spring Hill bested the Argonauts in both contests, winning 5-4 and 3-2.
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AFC Mobile is Mobile’s minor league soccer team, competing in the Gulf Coast Premier League. The 2019 season begins in May and runs through July. 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. A full schedule and information about season tickets will be available soon. Select merchandise is available now at afcmobile.net and at Royal Pharmacy in Downtown Mobile. Season Tickets are available for purchase now!
