AFC South to host championship in first season
The AFC South Storm is getting ready to make history.
Last Saturday, the squad went to penalty kicks versus Southern States SC, and it came down to the final one. AFC South made all five to pull out the road win and clinch a spot in the Gulf Coast Premier League championship. Now, in their first year as a semi-pro team, they’ll host the finals in Montgomery.
“It was so great,” AFC South defender Stephen Richards said about the victory. “I remember having Igor next to me, and he was on the ground praying. I was praying with him, and we won. I looked over, and he’s just smiling. It was so good, so happy.”
As the players look ahead to Saturday’s game, they see a chance to create a legacy.
“This is the beginning, we tell each other that it’s important to put our name in the history,” midfielder Luis Fernandes said. “It’s the first year in the program. Everyone is going to remember this team in 2024— make history, bring everyone, change the environment in the city.”
Fernandes said it’s important to him to inspire kids in Montgomery. A championship could go a long way to do that and draw a crowd.
Special for the finals, admission will be free for everyone. The Storm say they are looking to celebrate the fan support they have received in the first season.
“The fans have been great, and we need them,” Richards said. “We need their support. I love when they come. It just shows that the sport’s really growing in this country and especially in the city, so it means a lot.”
The finals kick off Saturday at 7:15 p.m. at the Emory Folmar Soccer Complex.
