Tag: AFC Mobile

AFC Mobile Secures a 2-0 Win Over Florida Roots FC

AFC Mobile began its four game road trip in Panama City, Florida’s Tommy Oliver Stadium against Florida Roots FC last night. With a 1-1-1 record over their last three and a game remaining in hand, AFC Mobile was still in control of its Gulf Coast Conference playoff destiny.

Mobile’s first chance came early when in the 2nd minute a defense-splitting pass from Lucas Ros found a streaking Salia Carr who went just barely wide of the goal. The match continued without any real opportunities. Though the Roots did have a few chances from deep as a back three of Elliot Dymond, Thierry Zabarel, and Sean Morfin protected Mobile goalkeeper Will Blake from facing much inside of their penalty area.

In the 17th minute, Mobile was able to break through when Ronaldo Fortune found Carr bombing forward down the left flank. Carr beat two Roots defenders before sending in a low-rolling, grounded cross to Alex Lozano who buried his shot to put the Azaleas up 1-0. This would be a lead that they would not relinquish.

Florida began mounting more pressure as Jose Reis and Carr joined the back three taking a more defensive stance to combat the Roots ability to keep the Azaleas pinned back until the 34th minute. Following a series of opportunistic Roots’ chances, Lozano received a defensive clearance from Morfin. Lozano then headed the ball to a racing Fortune, who played back an open Lozano, powering a rocket into the back of the net for his second goal, giving Mobile the 2-0 lead.

The second half brought an onslaught of Roots chances. In the 79th minute, Florida had their best chance after Mobile’s Edy Gael fouled a Roots player at the top of the penalty area. The ensuing free kick went under the wall and caused Mobile’s Blake to go full stretch to the far post in order to hold onto the ball and his first clean sheet of the season.

“This was a quality win against a good opponent,” said interim manager Brent Grube. “With players out due to suspensions and injuries, we needed some of the younger guys to step up. We got great performances from them and great work from our veteran core. We are excited about heading to Tallahassee to take on a solid side. Their fan base makes Gene Cox an absolutely electric place to play.”

AFC Mobile’s record improves to 2 wins, 1 draw, and 4 losses, having only one loss in their last 4 matches. Mobile continues their road trip heading further east to Tallahassee to take on Tallahassee Soccer Club on Saturday, then to Oak Grove, MS where they will play Southern States SC on June 29th, finally wrapping up to face current conference leading Jacksonville Armada in Jacksonville on July 2nd. Mobile will conclude their regular season with a two game home stand, starting on July 6th with a match against Pensacola and concluding on July 9th at the Archbishop Lipscomb Stadium against Tallahassee SC.

AFC Mobile Falls To Southern States 2-1

Photo: Riley Ferrer/Ruby Media

Southern States Soccer Club scored twice in five minutes to beat AFC Mobile 2-1 on Saturday night. 

“I don’t think that the way the game went was really indicative of who we are and how well we played,” AFC Mobile interim manager Brent Grube said. “The second half got away from us, and we need to make sure we do a little better job of managing that.” 

The Stars held much of the early possession but could not translate control into chances. The Azaleas’ first serious opportunity came in the 25th minute on a free-kick. Ronaldo Fortune sent the ball in from the right. Alex Lozano got past the defense and on the end of the ball, but his shot sailed over the crossbar. The teams went into halftime level at 0-0. 

The Azaleas had an attack early in the second half when Ronaldo Fortune played the ball to Chris Salamatou on the counter-attack, but Salamatou could not get a shot off. Mobile keeper Gui Altoé came up with a big save in the 56th minute to keep the match level.

Fortune gave Mobile the lead in the 62nd minute after booming down the right-wing on a counterattack and slotting a low-rolling rocket of a shot into the far corner of the net. 

“We finally got him to start shooting a little bit quicker. He’s getting into the spaces a little bit better, and we’re able to get him the ball in more dangerous places,” Grube said of the Mobile forward, who has now scored three goals in three games.

The Stars equalized in the 73rd minute after a free-kick from their half was played into the box. The Azaleas attempted but could not clear the ball, which fell to the feet of the Stars’ Mason Walsh on the right side of the box. Walsh played the ball into the box, and it was headed in by the Stars’ substitute Samuel Dadzie.  Dadzie slotted home the winner in the 77th minute after a low-rolling cross from Walsh found its way through the AFC Mobile defense.  

The Azaleas finished the match with nine men, with Diego Candía receiving a red card in the 80th minute. Late into stoppage time, Mobile substitute Iba Ndaw saw a second yellow. 

AFC Mobile is heading to the Sunshine State to take on Florida Roots FC in Panama City on Thursday night and Tallahassee to take on Tallahassee Soccer Club next Saturday. Southern States will head to the Big Easy to take on the New Orleans Jesters next Saturday. 

2-2 Draw for AFC Mobile and New Orleans Jesters

After a midweek win against Pensacola FC on Wednesday, AFC Mobile drew the New Orleans Jesters 2-2 in Mobile on Saturday night.  

“It’s always frustrating to be ahead at home with the fans fully behind you and then come out with a draw,” AFC Mobile forward Ronaldo Fortune said.

The Azaleas were on the defense early in the first half when goalkeeper Gui Altoé made a brilliant double save in the first minute of the match.  The Azaleas responded in the 10th minute when Jose Reis played the ball in from the right wing to Alex Lozano, but Lozano’s header sailed over the crossbar.  Two minutes later, Lozano played the ball in from the left-wing to Ronaldo Fortune, but Fortune’s low-rolling shot went wide right of the goal.  Much of the rest of the first half was an even contest with few threatening chances for either side.  

The Azaleas took the lead late in the first half.  Mobile’s Chris Salamatou was taken down from behind by New Orleans’ Mason Morise.  This set up a free kick from outside the box that was blasted into the back of the net by Fortune. 

The Jesters equalized in the 49th minute on a Maxi Galizzi goal.  The Azaleas followed with a flurry of chances around the half-hour mark when Jackson Wheatley quick take from just outside the penalty area skimmed over the top of the crossbar.  Minutes later, Fortune’s grounded shot went just wide. 

The Azaleas retook the lead in the 71st minute when a diagonal ball was played to Salamatou who drilled a shot that went far post and found the back of the net.

The Jesters responded eight minutes later when Floris van Nijnanten hit a rocket of a shot from outside the box to tie the match at 2-2.

“It took them hitting a wonder strike to tie it up, can’t do a whole lot against that, but we’re just going to push on and play good soccer,” AFC Mobile caretaker manager Brent Grube said, “That’s all we can do.”

The Azaleas had one more chance in the 93rd minute when Lucas Ros connected to Ibrahima Ndaw, who back heeled a pass to Fortune leaving him one-on-one just on the edge of the 6-yard box, Fortune’s powerful, first-time shot was kept out by a superb save from the Jesters’ Lamoy Graham. 

The Jesters remain in third place in the Gulf Coast Conference with 10 points, while AFC Mobile finds themselves in sixth place with four points.  The Jesters will play Pensacola FC this Wednesday.  The Azaleas return to action at home next Saturday against Southern States Soccer Club. 

Steve Wieczorek Smiling on the Sidelines

Steve Wieczorek Steps Down As Head Coach Of AFC Mobile

AFC Mobile and head coach Steve Wieczorek have mutually agreed to part ways in light of Coach Wieczorek’s upcoming move to Albany, New York to take the reigns as head coach of the men’s soccer team at The College of Saint Rose.

“It’s been a great run over the last couple of years at AFC Mobile, but it is important for me to step down and focus on the coaching opportunity that’s ahead of me,” Wieczorek said. “And I also think it’s important for the club and for the players to have a new voice that will help us achieve the goal of reaching the conference playoffs, which I think is well within our grasp.” 

Wieczorek has been the head coach of AFC Mobile since the 2019 season. In his first season with the club, Wieczorek led AFC Mobile to postseason play for the first time in the club’s history and the highest points total in the Gulf Coast Premier League Eastern Conference. He oversaw the club’s move to the National Premier Soccer League in the 2021 season and was integral to establishing the thriving AFC Mobile Academy. 

“On behalf of the entire AFC Mobile community, I want to extend my deepest gratitude to Coach Wieczorek for his years of dedication and service managing our club,” President Abram Chamberlain said. “Saint Rose is getting a brilliant soccer mind who has had a successful career as a college coach.”

Former AFC Mobile goalkeeper and current assistant coach Brent Grube will take over as caretaker manager. In his final match, Wieczorek piloted AFC Mobile to its first win of the season, a 2-0 victory over Pensacola FC in Foley on Wednesday night. 

“I want to thank the fans for their unwavering support of me and the team,” Wieczorek said. “And thanks to the players for their hard work in training, their dedication to the club, and some awesome performances this season. I’ll never forget them, and I wish the club the utmost of luck and success in the future.” 

AFC Mobile (1-0-3, 3pts, -3 GD) will host the New Orleans Jesters (3-0-2, 9pts, -1 GD) this Saturday night at the Archbishop Lipscomb Athletic Complex at 7 p.m. This match is the club’s annual First Responders Night. All firefighters, police officers, and EMTs will be admitted for free.

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.

AFC Mobile adds local businessman Scott Tindle to Board

Mobile, Alabama – April 20, 2022 – AFC Mobile, Mobile’s minor league soccer team, has added Mobile-area entrepreneur Scott Tindle to its ownership group and board of directors ahead of the 2022 National Premier Soccer League season, the club announced.

“It’s a privilege to be able join the team at AFC Mobile,” Tindle said. “The Club has created a strong platform that has incredible potential to grow on the pitch, in the stands, and in the hearts of our fans.” 

Tindle is well-known in the Mobile community after appearing on Shark Tank to secure investment for his start-up company TieTry.com, serving as the executive director of The Grounds, and founding the Gulf Coast Ducks. Tindle has also worked as a consultant and investor in the guest experience, restaurant operations, and blockchain and IOT sectors. 

“We couldn’t be more excited to add Scott to our ownership group and board,” AFC Mobile co-owner and vice president Patrick Dungan said. “Scott’s passion for creating authentic connections and communities fits perfectly with our Club culture, and we know he’ll be able to take our Club to another level for existing and new supporters.”

With the addition of Tindle, AFC Mobile co-founder and former vice president Jeff Garl departs the board of directors. 

“We’re endlessly grateful for the effort Jeff put in to start this club and provide a home for our players – often literally opening his home to players arriving in our city for the first time,” AFC Mobile president Abram Chamberlain said. “Because of Jeff’s support, many of these players have made Mobile their permanent home. While Jeff is departing our board, he’ll always be a founder of this Club, and we look forward to welcoming him back to The Lip this summer.” 

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. Season passes are available online at afcmobile.net

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

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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

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!