Category: team

Richard Moodie Named Director of Coaching for the AFC Mobile Academy

Mobile, Alabama – January 15, 2021 – University of South Alabama women’s soccer coach Richard Moodie will take over as Director of Coaching for the AFC Mobile Academy. 

“I am excited to announce the hiring of Richard Moodie as the club’s new Director of Coaching,” said Steve Wieczorek, AFC Mobile Academy technical director and first-team head coach. “It was clear to me in our work together last fall that he was the right person to lead our coaching staff and to instill our club philosophy and game model throughout the Academy.” 

Richard Moodie has been the head coach of the South Alabama women’s soccer team since December 2016. In his three seasons with the program, Moodie has led the Jaguars to two Sun Belt Conference regular-season titles and two Sun Belt Conference tournament titles. Three players from Moodie’s stint at South Alabama have played first division soccer in Europe: two in the Cypriot First Division, and one for Tottenham Hotspur of England’s FA Women’s Super League. 

“I am extremely grateful to Steve and the board for presenting this opportunity to me. Soccer in our community is growing at a rapid pace. Our goal is to provide another platform for our youth to grow both as people and soccer players.” 

With the appointment, AFC Mobile Academy’s boys director Ruben Risco will continue to serve in an advisory role, and will maintain his role as a first-team assistant and club ambassador. 

“Ruben is a valued and loyal member of our coaching team. He stepped in for us as we were getting our Academy off the ground, and provided an invaluable service to us. We’re glad to keep him on board, while finding a long-term solution for the Director of Coaching position club-wide.” Wieczorek said. 

Moodie is no stranger to the AFC Mobile Academy. He has been a member of the Academy project from day one, and last fall, he coached the club’s 2006 girls team. 

“With this being our first year as a club, it has been enjoyable to watch the growth in such a short period of time. Our goal is to create a player-centered program and maximize the potential of everyone in the club. I hope to work with our coaching staff to help achieve these goals.”

As Director of Coaching, Moodie will be assisting Wieczorek as the two college coaches working to implement a club-wide vision of tactical, technical, and values-based instruction – on and off the field.

“Coach Moodie and I plan to be very hands-on, working every day to continue to improve our club standards as we strive to create an elite playing experience, centered on individual player development and goal attainment through soccer,” Wieczorek said. 

AFC Mobile To Assume Management of Mobile County Soccer Complex

AFC Mobile has agreed with Mobile County to assume management of the recently opened Mobile County Soccer Complex, beginning October 1st. 

“We’re grateful the County has entrusted us with the management of this Complex, and look forward to managing it as it grows into one of the top facilities in the region,” AFC Mobile CFO Sean Landry said. “Special thanks is owed to Commissioner [Connie] Hudson, who has been a great partner for AFC Mobile and for the soccer community for years. Soccer in Mobile has never had more momentum than it does at this moment, and the on-going development and use of these fields will help the Mobile soccer community realize its full potential.”

The Complex, located on Halls Mill Road near the intersection of Interstates 10 and 65, formally opened in July of this year. The project, spearheaded by County Commissioner Hudson, is planned in three phases, the first of which consists of three lighted fields and an unlighted practice field. The Complex will eventually consist of 10 fields, including a FIFA-regulation championship field with seating for approximately 1,000 spectators. 

AFC Mobile’s vision for the complex includes drawing regional and national soccer tournaments to the city of Mobile as well as creating unique programming to ensure the fields are highly utilized and valuable to everyone in Mobile County. Furthermore, AFC Mobile hopes to ensure the complex is the destination for soccer in Mobile by making the complex available and affordable to all users in the area for practices, games, and tournaments. 

AFC Mobile Announces Open Tryout for the 2020 Season

Mobile, Alabama – With the 2020 NPSL season approaching, registration for new players wishing to try out for AFC Mobile, the premier soccer team in Mobile, is now open.

“The open tryout is a valuable tool for me and my staff to evaluate the local talent and perhaps unearth the next rising star in the area for our team. I am really looking forward to seeing how we can potentially add to our dynamic and talented returning group,” said AFC Mobile Head Coach Steve Wieczorek.

AFC Mobile’s open tryouts are a major part of player identification for the team. Any player who is no longer high school eligible and is at least 17-years-old may try out for AFC Mobile’s 2019 roster.

This year, there will be two open tryout sessions. The first will be February 1st. The tryouts will take place from 2:00-4:00 p.m. at Herndon/Sage Park in Mobile. Interested players are not required to attend both tryout sessions, but may do so if desired.

Players will have the opportunity to be evaluated by Coach Steve Wieczorek and his staff during tryouts.

There will be a high school identification period at a later date so that players participating in AHSAA high school soccer may stay eligible and have an opportunity to tryout for the coaching staff.

Additional information:

WHEN…

  • Saturday, February 1st, 2020
  • Tryouts will be from 2:00-4:00 p.m. (arrive at least half an hour early to check in and warm up)

WHERE…

  • Herndon (Sage) Park, 2800 Dauphin Street, Mobile, Alabama

 HOW…

  • Pay registration fee.
  • Interested players MUST complete the following forms in order to tryout:
  • If you register online prior to the day of the tryout you attend, the registration fee is $20. Walk-up registration on the day of the tryout is $30.  Online registration will not be available on the day of each tryout.  Players may, but are not required to, attend both tryouts. Players attending both tryout dates only need to complete one set of forms.

PLEASE BRING…

  • Water will be provided, but bring a reusable water bottle and any snacks or gear that you’ll need
  • Completed forms
  • A size 5 soccer ball, properly inflated
  • Shin guards, cleats, socks, black shorts, and white shirt

REGISTER HERE: [link to registration portal]

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.

AFC Mobile Partners With Youth Soccer Club Mobile United FC

Mobile, Alabama – March 7, 2018 – AFC Mobile is pleased to announce a partnership with Mobile United Futbol Club, the Alabama Gulf Coast’s oldest and most successful competitive youth soccer organization. After continued success, including six 2017 state championships, Mobile United FC will now serve as the youth academy for AFC Mobile.

“We are thrilled to partner with such an accomplished and well-known organization as Mobile United,” said Jeff Garl, AFC Mobile Vice President. “AFC Mobile has always been focused on providing opportunities for the young players in Mobile, and giving them a visible outlet for soccer at a high-level. With this partnership, our team will be able to work directly with Mobile United teams, giving them the chance to work side-by-side with the players they get to watch on Saturday nights.”

While Mobile United FC and AFC Mobile remain separate entities, together they share a common vision: to grow the sport of soccer in the city of Mobile. This partnership will result in  the formation of two new teams. The AFC Mobile United U23 squad, managed by Ruben Risco, will wear the MUFC crest on their AFC Mobile uniform sleeves. Going forward, the Mobile United U19 State League team will be renamed AFC Mobile United U19. The U19s will continue to wear their traditional MUFC uniforms, but will proudly sport the AFC Mobile crest on their sleeves.  These teams will conduct joint training sessions, public events, and benefits.

“This partnership gives us the potential to become one of the premier clubs not just on the Gulf Coast, but in the entire Southeastern U.S, and to give Mobile the stature of club it deserves,” said Wayne Etheridge, Mobile United FC President.

Founded in 2010, Mobile United FC is the area’s leader in youth soccer, offering programs from ages three to adult. With more than 20 players from Fall 2016 alone playing collegiate soccer, MUFC concentrates on player development and competitive play.  Tryout times and dates for Fall 2018 will be released soon. For more information on MUFC go to mobileunitedfc.com.

AFC Mobile is Mobile’s minor league soccer team, competing in the Gulf Coast Premier League. The 2018 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 $5, 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 The Trading Post at 7985 Tanner Williams Road.  Follow AFC Mobile on all your favorite social media platforms to keep up-to-date on additional information about the 2018 season!

 

AFC Mobile adds U-Mobile standout Cam Cranton

MOBILE – AFC Mobile is proud to add University of Mobile midfielder Cameron Cranton to its roster for the 2018 Gulf Coast Premier League Season.

As a Baker High School standout, Cranton was the Mobile-area High School Player of the Year, and was named the Gulf Coast Rangers U-18 Player of the Year in 2015.

“I grew up in Mobile, played here, and I’m excited to get to represent my city at the next level,” Cranton said.

Cranton is a versatile player who can play in multiple attacking positions. He appeared in 11 matches for the Rams in their run to an NAIA quarterfinal berth and earned Southern State Athletics Conference All-Freshman honors. Cranton will bring a creative spark to an AFC Mobile team that averaged 1.5 goals per match in the GCPL Eastern Conference last season.

AFC Mobile is Mobile’s minor league soccer team, competing in the Gulf Coast Premier League. Our 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 $5, 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.  Follow AFC Mobile on all your favorite social media platforms to keep up-to-date on additional information about the 2018 season.

—

Contact: Sean Landry

(251) 635-7473

Nineteen Players Selected to Return To Invitational Tryout

Nearly 50 players came out to Herndon (Sage) Park in Mobile on December 9th to participate in AFC Mobile’s Open Tryout for the 2018 GCPL season. Nineteen of those players have been invited back by the coaching staff to participate in an Invitational Tryout.

  • Erik Aispuro
  • Suleiman Carr
  • Roman Causse
  • Chris Cory
  • Cam Cranton
  • Drew Dixon
  • Abraham Estaba
  • Brantton Greene
  • Desmond Ibie
  • Jean Paul Irakiza
  • Kevin Jackson
  • Nam Le
  • Tomas Lopez
  • Dillon Lowe
  • Jesse McCarty
  • Alejandro Ojeda
  • Alec Peacock
  • Laurentiu Pirvu
  • Carlos Varas

These players will join other invited player to compete for a spot on AFC Mobile’s 2018 roster.

 

Open Tryout Registration Begins

Mobile, Alabama – Registration for new players wishing to try out for the premier soccer team in Mobile is now open. AFC Mobile’s Open Tryouts will be held on Saturday, December 9, 2017. Any player who will graduate high school by May of 2018 and is at least 17-years-old is invited to try out for AFC Mobile’s 2018 roster.

Players will have the opportunity to try out with Coach Nate Nicholas and his staff from 2:00-6:00 p.m. Select participants will be invited back to the Invitational Tryout which will be held Saturday, December 16, 2017, with players from last season’s roster as well as select collegiate players.

More information may be found here:

Open Tryout Information

Registration fee may be paid here:

Pay $15.00 Registration Fee

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.