Louisiana Krewe

So first of all, going to put it out there, our logo did appear on a Krewe kit a couple of years back, so I’m probably not unbiased here. However, the club has earned plenty respect for their success on the field in the very deep and talented Gulf Coast Premier League. This year, the Krewe are 7-1-1 and running roughshod over their competition, holding a +19 goal differential after 9 matches.

Krewe celebrate a Lafayette Cup victory. Photo credit: Anaice Photography

The point of the attack is Quesi Weston who’s current stats are 11 goals in 9 matches, which is pretty eye-catching. The Trinidad and Tobago forward led the league in scoring last year and came back this year with his eye on another award. He’s the man to watch in this competition.

The Krewe come into this year’s Cup with an eye for revenge, having finished third in the region last year. They watched Gaffa FC win the Region last year and certainly would love to add Independent Cup Champion onto their list of accomplishments. I’d say, given the level of clubs in this region, they have the best chance to make that happen this year.

Lone Star Republic

Lone Star Republic broke into the public eye last summer when the team was mentioned to have interest in joining NISA. That interest was contingent on an investor, so I guess you could say ALL clubs are potentially NISA clubs? But the story got weirder as the layers were peeled back. The leadership of the club had unique approaches to advertising and social media management, including having “fake” sponsors on their kits. It was a strange ride, so strange I interviewed one of the leaders at the club, Tyler Watterson, about it.

Since then, the club has continued to build its operations, developing into a full-fledged club with a women’s side that has dominated in their first season in the UWS. The men’s side played in the Roja League earlier this year, against local clubs from around the DFW area. At the same time, the club has continued to do what they do best, market the club. Much of that marketing is focused on the very successful women’s side at this point, however the men’s side is still getting its time on the Instagram feed.

After searching the club’s website and twitter handle for information on the men’s side, I was informed by the team that Instagram handle was the most up-to-date social media account. Had I looked there, I would have known the team was playing in the Roja League, a local league in the DFW area, and is currently 3-3. Previously the team had played in the UPSL, but the UPSL website lists the team as inactive. So the team is playing, just slightly less visibly for an old guy who doesn’t check Instagram for updates! It will be interesting how the team performs in the Independent Cup, for sure. But everything with LSR is interesting and worth the ride.

Texas Spurs FC

The UPSL has grown rapidly in the state of Texas, particularly in the north-east portion of the state. Based in McKinney, Texas Spurs is a large academy operation with both men’s and women’s teams. It’s clear the elite adult sides are the capstones on a talent-development operation that is functioning well. Though their social media team could update their Twitter account, which hasn’t had a new post since June 4th, 2019. Yeesh.

The men’s side has played well in the UPSL this year, currently sitting at 11-0-3 on the year, second in the Central Conference - North Division. The team has a current GD of +31 and is a single point behind the first place Side FC 92. The organization is big enough to also have a second UPSL side, Texas Spurs II, which plays in Division 1. That team is also second in its conference. Given the depth of this roster, playing a full season before the tournament, it will be interesting to see how this team competes against the other clubs in the Region.

Alexandria PBFC

The first time I saw the name of this club, I thought “what does PBFC stand for?” We’re so used to the FCs and SCs in American soccer, when we see something other than the norm, it makes you think. Well, ladies and gents, PBFC stands for Pool Boys FC. From an Under the Lights article from October of last year, “we thought it made good sense to shamelessly exploit our connection the Ewing Pool & Spa business and perpetually force a recurring sponsorship by naming our club after the business.” It’s easily one of my favorite names in lower league soccer.

But for all the love I give their amazing name, I cannot brag about their level of play this year in the Gulf Coast Premier League. The team has struggled mightily. Currently the club is sitting dead last in the Western Conference without a single win. In eight losses, the team has managed eight goals, while surrendering 28. The team’s leading goal scorer is Gabriel Collins with two goals this year.

I wouldn’t expect much out Alexandria in this region, give the struggles the team has faced all year. They’ve already lost twice to the Krewe in the regular season this year. It’s awesome to see them playing in the Cup, but there’s a lot of work to get to a more competitive level for PBFC.

- Dan Vaughn