Gulf Coast League 2 Report: Playoffs Begin
- Dan Floyd
- 7 hours ago
- 3 min read
NATIONAL SOCCER NEWS: www.nationalsoccernetwork.com
There were some upsets and surprises in the final week of the regular season. First, and most impactful, Mississippi Blues got a huge 2-0 win on the road against first place Gulf Coast United. That opened the door for Central Louisiana to pass GCU for the best overall record in the league, and a first place seed for the playoffs. Despite a 0-3 loss to Central LA in the final game, Red River finished one point ahead of LA Krewe and Hattiesburg to claim the final spot in the post-season.
The top six overall standings look like this:
1. Central Louisiana 18 points, 18 GD
2. Gulf Coast United 15 points, 30 GD
3. BRSC Capitals 15 points, 23 GD
4. LSFC Phoenix 13 points, 8 GD
5. Mississippi Blues 12 points, 11 GD
6. Red River 8 points, 1 GD
Central Louisiana has been very much like last season's champion team, leaning on a strong defense and a steady offense, and all they do is win. BRSC will have to play through a quarterfinal to get back to the championship game, where they could be lined up to rematch with Central Louisiana. Gulf Coast United will have a say in that, as they'll have a week off to prepare for a semifinal matchup; their one loss is likely due to squad rotation, and their overall performance makes them a favorite to win the title.
Last Week’s Results:
Gulf Coast United 0-2 Mississippi Blues
LA Krewe 3-3 Phoenix
This was easily the game of the week. The score went back and forth, and both teams scored within the final two minutes. Phoenix rescued the point at the death.
Shreveport 1-3 Twin Cities
Gavyn Edwards had a brace.
BRSC 10-1 SW Louisiana
Haythem Abraham had a hat trick.
Red River 0-3 Central Louisiana
This Week’s Matches:
The playoffs start this week with two quarterfinal matches, with Central Louisiana and Gulf Coast United awaiting the winners next week in the semi-finals.
Red River at BRSC; Saturday, June 27 at 7:15.
Baton Rouge will be favored to win this one and keep their season headed towards the championship. BRSC's lone loss was 1-2 at the hands of the Phoenix, and they've put up some big numbers against weaker competition. Red River will be a tough out, as they've been battle tested against Central Louisiana and fared well overall. Expect this to be a fairly high-scoring and tight match, with BRSC coming through at home.
Mississippi Blues at LSFC Phoenix; Saturday, June 27 at 6:45.
The Blues have been inconsistent this season, but look like one of those teams that play to the level of their competition. In their two games against GCU, they won one, and lost the other 1-2. On the other hand, they split the series with Hattiesburg in two very close games. The Phoenix have shown some flashes, with a signature win over BRSC, and just one single-goal loss to the Capitals. This one will be low-scoring, and could go either way. A draw in regular time feels likely, and it's anyone's game after that.
Final Standings (Note that the schedule is set according to three divisions, but the standings on Squadi are set in one table. I'll place them here by division):
Magnolia -
1. Gulf Coast United: 15 Points, (35 GF, 30 GD, 6 GP)
2. Mississippi Blues: 12 Points, (16 GF, 11 GD, 6 GP)
3. Hattiesburg FC: 7 Point, (8 GF, -8 GD, 6 GP)
4. Invictus: 1 Point, (3 GF, -21 GD, 6 GP)
Red River -
1. Central Louisiana FC: 18 Points, (24 GF, 18 GD, 6 GP)
2. Red River FC: 8 Points, (16 GF, 4 GD, 6 GP)
3. Shreveport United: 5 Points, (11 GF, -3 GD, 6 GP)
4. Twin Cities FC: 3 Points, (10 GF, -16 GD, 6 GP)
Bayou -
1. BRSC Capitals: 15 Points, (28 GF, 23 GD, 6 GP)
2. LA Fire Phoenix: 13 Points, (15 GF, 8 GD, 6 GP)
3. LA Krewe Rush: 7 Points, (10 GF, -5 GD, 6 GP)
4. Southwest LA: 0 Points, (3 GF, -26 GD, 6 GP)
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