Author: Daniel McMillan

AFC Mobile Releases Preliminary Roster

AFC Mobile has released a preliminary roster for the club’s upcoming inaugural Gulf Coast Premier League (GCPL) season.

The roster features a number of players with Premier Development League and National Premier Soccer League experience as well as some who have trained with Major League Soccer clubs.

“I’m really excited about the players we’ve been able to bring in,” reports AFC Mobile head coach Nate Nicholas. “We had a lot of quality players to pick from, and I think we have a good group coming in.”

The diverse roster features players from several countries including Scotland, Mexico, Nigeria, and France. Still, the vast majority of players have played high school or college soccer in the Mobile Bay Area.

Coach Nicholas said, “This club will truly represent the diversity of Mobile’s different ethnic groups, nationalities, and ages of our players. You can see the hunger in the players to represent AFC Mobile and the community.”

Players on the preliminary roster have played for several clubs across the country and around the world including Oro Jalisco, Chicago Fire, FC Wichita, Birmingham Hammers, and AC Storm, plus academy programs such as Cruz Azul, Houston Dynamo, and Chivas de Guadalajara.

“First and foremost, we’re excited to announce a roster that we believe has the talent to compete in this league and that represents every part of our incredibly global community,” said AFC Mobile board member Sean Landry. “We’re grateful to everyone who tried out and we’re looking forward to fielding a team that Mobile can be proud of. Narrowing down the field of participants to a small roster was no easy task because the Mobile area has so many high quality players.”

AFC Mobile Initial Roster

Below is the 25-player preliminary roster. When the Alabama High School Athletic Association soccer season is finished, there will be a final invitational tryout for graduating high school seniors. The final roster will be 22 for the first official match.

  • Hugo Aranda
  • David Blake
  • Jorden Cruz
  • Mathieu Dazet
  • Martin Fiemauhle
  • Jorge Fuentes
  • Elijah Gibson
  • Nathan Gillespie
  • Caleb Govati
  • Brent Grube
  • Austin Hilyer
  • Devin Hodges
  • Greg Hosford
  • Tanner Kukes
  • Guillermo Lumbreras Jr
  • Jason Mallis
  • Matthew McArthur
  • Baba Mediaten
  • Moses Muhubao
  • Barou Ndaw
  • Patrick O’Neal
  • Chisom Ogbonna
  • Christopher Rumsey
  • Alex Salinas
  • Sherman Winchester

AFC Mobile will begin its inaugural season in the Gulf Coast Premier League on May 14, 2017, at 7:00 p.m. at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex against Pensacola’s Gulf Coast Texans. Season tickets are available here. 

AFC Mobile Season Preview: Biloxi City FC

Biloxi FCCLUB: Biloxi City FC
NICKNAME: Blackjacks
FALL RECORD: 6-2-4 (3rd place)

HISTORY:Founded in 2016, Biloxi City Futbol Club is the first team from Mississippi to compete in the Gulf Coast Premier League. From an outsider’s perspective, Biloxi City has improved the quality and enhanced the reputation of the GCPL from the outset. From their minimalist badge and their social media promotions and presence, Biloxi has always treated their brand and their club as big as bigger teams in bigger markets. And frankly it has paid off on and off the pitch with Biloxi City coming within one game of earning a Lamar Hunt US Open Cup qualification spot in their debut season.

BILOXI CITY FC PLAYER TO WATCH: Patrick Harrison, midfield

MANAGER: Sinisa Vukadin

WHAT BILOXI CITY FC SAYS ABOUT AFC MOBILE: “I expect [AFC Mobile] to do a great job in Mobile,” says Biloxi City FC coach Sinisa Vukadin. “I know [coach] Nate Nicholas and he will make a respectable squad. I’m glad that [AFC Mobile] joined the Gulf Coast Premier League.”

“We expect the unknown,” responds Biloxi City FC Vice President Luke Berry. “We had our inaugural season last year and surprised a few people managing to finish in the top half of the table (3rd) and one of our proudest moments came on the first day of the season when we drew against CD Motagua in New Orleans,” He continues, “The league has so many new teams this year that I don’t think anyone really knows what to expect. Mobile are more unknown than most because they are starting completely from scratch, much like we did, unlike Gaffa FC or Pensacola who have either youth setups or a squad already. We’ll be watching their early results with interest before our first ever meeting on June 10th. Good luck for the season -as long as you finish below us.”

BOTTOM LINE: Mississippi has always had fantastic soccer development. As a brand new club in its first year, Biloxi City competed for the GCPL title right down to the last match of the season. The Blackjacks’ summer team should be no different. There are a few Mobilians, including former Murphy High School standout Edin Hodovic, who will feature for Biloxi. Look for a tightly-played, high intensity match during both games of “The Forgotten Coast Cup” this summer.

HOME PITCH: Herbert Wilson Stadium, 3225 Hancock Ave, Gulfport, MS 39507

WEBSITE: http://www.biloxicityfutbolclub.com
TWITTER: http://twitter.com/biloxicityfc
FACEBOOK: http://facebook.com/biloxicityfc
INSTAGRAM: N/A
HASHTAGS: #BiloxiCityFC #OneCoast

GAMES AGAINST BILOXI CITY FC:

  • June 10th at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex
  • July 15th at Herbert Wilson Stadium

 

AFC Mobile adds Mobile Screen Printing and Embroidery as Official Apparel Provider

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AFC MOBILE ANNOUNCES MOBILE SCREEN PRINTING AND EMBROIDERY AS SPONSOR FOR 2017 SUMMER SEASON

AFC Mobile, Mobile’s minor league soccer team, is proud to announce Mobile Screen Printing and Embroidery as the club’s official apparel provider.  Mobile Screen Printing and Embroidery’s logo will appear on AFC Mobile’s warmup kits for the 2017 Gulf Coast Premier League summer season.

“Getting another fantastic, local sponsor on board helps to further establish us as Mobile’s soccer team,” said AFC Mobile president Abram Chamberlain. “The fact that we will be able to feature their logo on our warm-ups and be able to get all of our fan apparel from a local business right here in Mobile makes us even prouder of this relationship.”

Mobile Screen Printing and Embroidery is the producer of AFC Mobile’s “Our City” t-shirt, which can be purchased for $20 online here . The “Our City” shirt can also be purchased as part of a season ticket package for $37.50, which may be ordered online here, while supplies last. 

AFC Mobile will begin its inaugural season in the Gulf Coast Premier League on May 14, 2017 at 7 p.m. at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex.

CONTACT:

Mitchell Kahalley
mkahalley@afcmobile.net
(251) 272-9507

AFC Mobile 2017 Season Passes Now On Sale

With only a few weeks left before we kick off the 2017 Gulf Coast Premier League summer season, AFC Mobile season passes are now available for purchase. Buy your season passes online today!

The 2017 AFC Mobile season includes five home games at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex. Games will be played May 14th against the Gulf Coast Texans (of Pensacola), June 10th against Biloxi City FC, June 24th against Louisiana Fire SC, July 1st against Gaffa FC (of Jackson), and July 7th against CD Motagua (of New Orleans). All home games kick off at 7:00 PM.

Season passes will be available for pickup at Will Call in the Ticket Tent on game day.  Two season pass options are available:

Season Pass A ($20.00)

  • A high quality, embossed, silicone AFC Mobile Season Pass Wristband, which gives you access to ALL 2017 regular season home games
  • Pre-sale priority for any playoff or exhibition (“friendly”) match
  • Invitation to the jersey release party

Season Pass B ($37.50)

  • BEST DEAL!!
  • A high quality, embossed, silicone AFC Mobile Season Pass Wristband, which gives you access to ALL 2017 regular season home games
  • A 2017 AFC Mobile “Our City” T-Shirt – comfortable Triblend fabric
  • Pre-sale priority for any playoff or exhibition (“friendly”) match
  • Invitation to the jersey release party

Season Pass Packages may be purchased online through our shop or by clicking one of the above links.

Season Tickets Go On Sale Wednesday, April 12th

Season passes for AFC Mobile’s 2017 Gulf Coast Premier League season will go on sale Wednesday, April 12 at 10 a.m.

Season passes allow entrance to all 2017 home games, including any exhibition games. Season passes can only be purchased online at www.afcmobile.net.

Season passes will be available for pick up at the ticket booth at the first game of the season (May 14th) or any game after..

The home schedule for AFC Mobile is as follows:

5/14 – Gulf Coast Texans – 7:00 PM
6/10 – Biloxi City FC – 7:00 PM
6/24 – Louisiana Fire SC – 7:00 PM
7/1 – Gaffa FC – 7:00 PM
7/7 – CD Motagua of NOLA – 7:00 PM

ABOUT AFC Mobile

AFC Mobile was formed in 2015 to strengthen the soccer community in Mobile by bringing a high level soccer team to the largest municipality along the Gulf Coast between St. Petersburg and New Orleans. AFC Mobile aims to provide local players an opportunity to continue to play the game at a competitive level, as well as to give the soccer community and City of Mobile a team to call their own.

CONTACT:

Mitchell Kahalley
mkahalley@afcmobile.net
(251) 272-9507

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Select Players from Open Tryout to Join Invitational

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

TWELVE PLAYERS FROM AFC MOBILE’S OPEN TRYOUTS INVITED TO THE INVITATIONAL TRYOUT

Last Saturday, AFC Mobile held its first ever Open Tryout with close to 50 people gathered at Herndon (Sage) Park in Mobile. After that session, the following players are being invited to to the club’s Invitational Tryout. They will join other invited players competing for the opportunity to be part of AFC Mobile’s inaugural roster.

  • David Blake
  • Jorden Cruz
  • Mathieu Dazet
  • Jorge Fuentes
  • Brent Grube
  • Austin Hilyer
  • Greg Hosford
  • Christopher Rumsey
  • Guillermo Lumberas
  • Jason Mallis
  • Troy Willman
  • Sherman Winchester

These players will join other players invited for the opportunity to be part of AFC Mobile’s inaugural roster.

ABOUT AFC Mobile

AFC Mobile was formed in 2015 to strengthen the soccer community in Mobile by bringing a high level soccer team to the largest municipality along the Gulf Coast between St. Petersburg and New Orleans. AFC Mobile aims to provide local players an opportunity to continue to play the game at a competitive level, as well as to give the soccer community and City of Mobile a team to call their own.

CONTACT:

Mitchell Kahalley
mkahalley@afcmobile.net
(251) 272-9507

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AFC Mobile Sponsor Announcement

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AFC MOBILE ANNOUNCES JAGUAR LOGISTICS AS SPONSOR FOR 2017 SUMMER SEASON

AFC Mobile is pleased to announce Jaguar Logistics as a sponsor for the 2017 Gulf Coast Premier League summer season and a supporter of grassroots elite soccer in Mobile.

““We’re thrilled to add Jaguar Logistics to our roster of local sponsors,” said AFC Mobile board member and CFO Sean Landry. “This is a team of Mobile, for Mobile, and we thank locally- owned Jaguar Logistics for becoming a part of that.”

Jaguar Logistics is a leading Mobile-based provider of transportation, warehousing, import/ export, and custom brokerage services with over 10 years of service. An independent agent of Landstar, Jaguar Logistics will serve as the Official Logistics Provider of AFC Mobile. For more information about Jaguar Logistics, please visit their website: http://jaguarlogistics.net/

AFC Mobile will kick off its inaugural season next month with a home game against Pensacola’s Gulf Coast Texans on Sunday, May 14th at 7:00 p.m. at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex (“The Lip”) located at 3610 Michael Boulevard. Ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks.

https://afcmobile.net/
https://www.facebook.com/AFCMobile
https://twitter.com/AFC_Mobile

ABOUT AFC Mobile
AFC Mobile was formed in 2015 to strengthen the soccer community in Mobile by bringing a high level soccer team to the largest municipality along the Gulf Coast between St. Petersburg and New Orleans. AFC Mobile aims to provide local players an opportunity to continue to play the game at a competitive level, as well as to give the soccer community and City of Mobile a team to call their own.

CONTACT:
Mitchell Kahalley
mkahalley@afcmobile.net
(251) 272-9507

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AFC Mobile Hosts Open Tryouts

AFC Mobile hosted its first ever open tryout this Saturday at Herndon (Sage) Park in Mobile. More than two dozen players from the Mobile area laced up their boots to showcase their skills for coach Nate Nicholas.

“I thought for today for our first time, for our first tryout as a club, it was nice to have a lot of faces out here who were excited about being on a team from Mobile.” Nicholas said. “Overall, I believe this was a good first step,” AFC Mobile board member Dan McMillan said. “It was a warmer day than anticipated, and I’m sure our coach was glad to have mother nature assist him with fitness evaluation. I’m grateful to each and every one of those who attended. They definitely gave it their all on the field today.”

Club president Abram Chamberlain noted, “This project has been a lot of hard work, and now to have a coach running an open tryout to put a team on the pitch is thrilling. Just think, this was nothing but an idea two years ago, and now it is all coming to fruition… it almost feels unbelievable.”

A preliminary roster will be released later this week before determining a final roster for the start of the 2017 Gulf Coast Premier League summer season.

“I think we’re gonna need a few practices before we get there, but I’m excited for that first game” Nicholas said. “To see the fans at the Lip, our new home field, in our Haint Blue sponsored uniforms and just really giving them a show to look at and really prove that Mobile is gonna be here for a while.”

AFC Mobile will kick off its inaugural season next month with a home game against Pensacola’s Gulf Coast Texans on Sunday, May 14th at 7:00 p.m. at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex (“The Lip”) located at 3610 Michael Boulevard. Ticket information will be announced in the coming weeks.

ABOUT AFC Mobile

AFC Mobile was formed in 2015 to strengthen the soccer community in Mobile by bringing a high level soccer team to the largest municipality along the Gulf Coast between St. Petersburg and New Orleans. AFC Mobile aims to provide local players an opportunity to continue to play the game at a competitive level, as well as to give the soccer community and City of Mobile a team to call their own.

AFC Mobile Announces Home Field for Inaugural Season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

AFC Mobile to Play 2017 Home Games at Lipscomb Athletic Complex



AFC Mobile, Mobile’s minor league soccer team, proudly announces that it will play its inaugural 2017 season home games at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex located in the heart of Mobile. 

Owned by the Archdiocese of Mobile and operated by McGill-Toolen Catholic High School, the stadium was named for Archbishop Emeritus of Mobile Oscar Hugh Lipscomb and opened for gridiron football in 2008. Nicknamed “The Lip,” the stadium seats 5,000 people and serves as a multipurpose stadium with a sprinturf field. McGill-Toolen plays its home football and soccer games there, and the stadium has also been used as a practice facility for Mobile’s Dollar General Bowl and the Senior Bowl. One of the premier athletic venues in the State of Alabama and on the Gulf Coast, The Lip is located in the Bolton neighborhood of Mobile off Michael Boulevard near I-65 and Montlimar Drive. 

“I’m extremely excited about having The Lip as our home field. We have been setting high goals for bringing minor league soccer to Mobile and I feel like this is another goal achieved,”said John T. Clark, AFC Mobile board member and Director of Marketing. “It is one of – if not the best – fields in Mobile for our needs and I look forward to celebrating a lot of wins at The Lip with our fans.”

AFC Mobile will kick off its inaugural season in the Gulf Coast Premier League at The Lip on Sunday, May 14, 2017, against Pensacola’s Gulf Coast Texans. Dates and times for the team’s full season cand be found on our schedule page.

Open tryouts for AFC Mobile will take place on April 1, 2017, at Herndon (Sage) Park between 2 and 6 PM CST. Interested players are encouraged to pre-register online.


ABOUT AFC Mobile

AFC Mobile was formed in 2015 to strengthen the soccer community in Mobile by bringing a high level soccer team to the largest municipality along the Gulf Coast between St. Petersburg and New Orleans. AFC Mobile aims to provide local players an opportunity to continue to play the game at a competitive level, as well as to give the soccer community and City of Mobile a team to call their own.

CONTACT:

Mitchell Kahalley

mkahalley@afcmobile.net

(251) 272-9507

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Nate Nicholas - Head Coach

AFC Mobile announces Head Coach for Inaugural Season

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

NATE NICHOLAS NAMED FIRST AFC MOBILE HEAD COACH

AFC Mobile is proud to announce Nate Nicholas as the first head coach of AFC Mobile. Nicholas is a longtime member of the Mobile soccer community and is currently the head coach of the McGill-Toolen boys soccer team.

“I am extremely excited about being the first head coach of AFC Mobile. There are many qualified coaches in this area and to be the first one to get this thing kicked off is honoring and humbling. I just want to do the team, the board, and more importantly the supporters justice in leading them in this first season.” Nicholas said.

Nicholas played soccer at the University of Mobile from 1998-2003 and won an NAIA national championship with the Rams. Nicholas has coached at the Alabama School of Math and Science, Baldwin County High School and UMS-Wright before making the jump to McGill-Toolen. He won back to back state championships with UMS-Wright in 2010 and 2011. He was named the Press-Register Coach of the Year in 2007 and 2011 and the Sports Academy Coach of the Year in 2010. Last year, his McGill-Toolen team finished with a record of 20-6-3 after falling to Oak Mountain 2-1 in the 7A state championship game. The Jackets are currently ranked fifth in the state with a record of 6-2-2.

“Having a manager the caliber of Nate Nicholas was vitally important for AFC Mobile in our inaugural season. Actually getting Nate on board is even better. Nate is a name that holds weight in not just Mobile soccer, but in Alabama soccer as well.” AFC Mobile president Abram Chamberlain said. “He has continuously proven himself to be an incredible manager at both UMS and McGill-Toolen and having played in the PDL and for the University of Mobile means he knows what it will take to not just compete, but to win at this level. Coach Nicholas has proven that he has a style of play and the tactical knowhow to implement that system of play. We are ecstatic to have him leading us on our first ever GCPL campaign.”

After coaching in the area for the past 15 years, Nicholas knows that Mobile is full of soccer talent and wants to help those players reach their full potential.

“My goal for AFC Mobile is to provide a team for the people of Mobile to get behind and be able to support.” Nicholas said, “I want it to be a place for players who want to reach the highest levels to have a place to play. I want to find players who grew up in Mobile and want to play for Mobile and I also want to find players who are new to Mobile but want to have an outlet for their talents.”

Like us on Facebook follow us on Twitter and @AFC_Mobile and on Instagram @afcmboile for updates on our upcoming tryouts and information for the 2017 Gulf Coast Premier League season.

 

ABOUT AFC Mobile
AFC Mobile was formed in 2015 to strengthen the soccer community in Mobile by bringing a high level soccer team to the largest municipality along the Gulf Coast between St. Petersburg and New Orleans. AFC Mobile aims to provide local players an opportunity to continue to play the game at a competitive level, as well as to give the soccer community and City of Mobile a team to call their own.

CONTACT:

Mitchell Kahalley

mkahalley@afcmobile.net

(251) 272-9507
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