Mississippi – AFC Mobile

Biloxi City FC’s Fred Riley (24) after stopping a first half challenge by AFC Mobile’s Chisom Ogbonna (4). (Photo: Carissa Harrison/Facebook)

We’re doing something a little different for this week’s Man of the Match award. Instead of letting the fans decide which one of our players had the best game on Saturday, we’re giving the award to Biloxi City’s Fred Riley.

Riley suffered a broken leg after a nasty collision with his own goalkeeper. He underwent surgery in Mobile Monday morning and is doing well.

Riley was born in Gulfport. He comes from a military family and spent much of his childhood traveling. He joined the Marine Corps and played soccer for the All-Marine team while enlisted. After leaving the Marines, Riley moved to Biloxi. Riley said Biloxi has a fantastic soccer scene with great youth clubs and a feisty adult league.

Despite the injury, Riley praised the Mobile fans for the support they have shown him and the atmosphere they created.

“Mobile was complete pandemonium,” Riley said. “Your fans make it impossible to hear yourself think! Great soccer atmosphere. I’ll make it a point to be at the return fixture!”

Riley also wanted to give a special shout-out to Roman Carnley, the Mobile United player he walked out onto the pitch with before the match. Thanks for being a fan!

AFC Mobile will take on Biloxi City FC on July 15th, the last match day of the regular season. We can’t wait to see you there, Fred!

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AFC Mobile will travel to Pensacola to take on the Gulf Coast Texans next Saturday, June 17th. Kickoff is at 7 p.m. at Ashton Brosnaham Park. AFC Mobile fans are encouraged to make the short journey to the Pelican City to support the visiting team. AFC Mobile will return home to the Lip for three consecutive weekends beginning Saturday, June 24th, against the Louisiana Fire. Tickets are only $5 and kids 12 and under are admitted free of charge. Follow us on Facebook for more information.

CLUB: 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

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