AFC South Brings Semi-Pro Soccer to Montgomery – WAKA

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WAKA Action 8 News
by Julianna Reichenbach

After midfielder Nathaniel Grant finished playing soccer at AUM, he had always been interested in joining a local team. But there weren’t any options. Until now.
“Then eventually Manny (Sanchez) came to me and said he was going to start a local team,” Grant said. “So I was like, ‘Well, why not?’ Me and the boys were like ‘why not?’”
Semi-pro soccer is coming to Montgomery. Led by General Manager Sanchez, the Alabama FC South Men’s team takes on its first year in the Gulf Premier League, bringing opportunity to Montgomery.
Grant got to reunite with old teammates and join current college players, like AFC goalie Michalis Jackson, who would’ve gone to Birmingham, Georgia, or Florida to play over the summer.
“Many of these guys had a lot of options this summer,” Jackson said, “but we chose to come here. It’s very exciting. Like we have three colleges in town: Faulkner, AUM, and Huntingdon.”
Combining these three teams sounds a whole lot like a Montgomery all-star team.
“Everybody’s pushing each other,” Jackson said.” They’re all fighting for a spot in this first 11. So it’s really challenging.”
A challenge that pushes players and coaches rise to the next level.
“You always want to coach and be around great players,” AFC head coach Mateo Peral said, “because that helps you learn and continue to improve at your job.”
AFC South has been putting in the hard work in practice.
Now these guys are ready to bring semi-pro soccer to Montgomery for the first time on Saturday.
“I’m waiting to see how many people are going to come and support us,” Jackson said. “Because this is a big project for our coaches, for the manager, and everybody here, the sponsors. Everybody’s invested in this team.”
Perhaps creating dividends that can pay off for not just the team, but the Montgomery community.
“I hope it means a lot,” Grant said. “I think it’s something that they really needed. And something that would boost the kids to want to do better.”
The squad will kick off versus AFC Mobile at 7:15 p.m. on Saturday at the Emory Folmar Soccer Complex.
Tickets are available on-site and at https://app.soccerstub.com/events/alabama-fc-south-home-opener-alabama-fc-south-vs-afc-mobile