AFC South Storm excited for home playoff crowd
The AFC South Storm is gearing up for the playoffs after clinching a home playoff game in their inaugural season in the Gulf Coast Premier League.
The Storm secured their spot with a 9-1 victory over Pensacola Bay United FC on Sunday. Despite this being their first year together, the team has quickly built a dedicated following.
“It’s an amazing feeling to be together with the boys and experience this over the summer,” said Storm right winger and former LAMP standout Carlos Cruz. “It’s truly amazing.”
The team remains undefeated at home, while it is 2-2-1 on the road.
“When we play in front of our crowd here,” AFC South midfielder Glenn Waters said, “there’s nothing better than hearing our fans shout behind us.”
The growing fan base, known as the Storm Troopers, has become an integral part of the team’s success. Storm head coach and general manager Manny Sanchez said AFC South handed out horns one game, however the fanbase has taken things to another level.
“We brought the horns that first time and that brought the noise to the game,” Sanchez said. “But then with the Storm flag, our fan club up there, the Storm Troopers, leading the way, cheering us on. It just gets the players more motivated when that cheering gets you to play to the next level.”
The Storm gets to stay home as they earned the 2-seed out of the east. But Sanchez pointed out their opponent has to travel six hours. The No. 3 seed out of the west, the LA Krewe Rush is traveling to Montgomery from Lafayette, Louisiana.
The quarterfinals match will go down at the Emory Folmar Soccer Complex. Kickoff is set for 6:15 p.m. on Saturday.
