News

MATCHES TO WATCH IN 2025 — SOUTH REGION

Published May 7, 2025

MATCHES TO WATCH — SOUTH REGION

With 15 new teams, and the return of a two-time WPSL Champion, the new-look South Region will feature exciting new rivalries across the new Gulf Coast Conference’s two divisions, derbies gaining in intensity in The District Division, and some of the biggest crowds the league has ever seen in Decatur, Ga. Here are some of the most intriguing matchups in the region to watch for this season.

WEEK ONE: May 5 – 11

Pensacola FC vs. THL Reckoning

Gulf Coast Conference – Third Coast Division

Friday, May 9

7 p.m. (CDT)

Ashton Brosnaham Stadium – Pensacola, Fla.

Two-Time WPSL National Champions (2012, 2018), Pensacola FC kicks off the 2025 season versus THL Reckoning out of Tallahassee, at Ashton Brosnaham Stadium in Pensacola. The match is also the first of the Gulf Coast Conference, which welcomed 11 clubs into two divisions for this year. The clubs face off again in the return match in Week Four in Tallahassee.

WEEK THREE: May 19 – 25

Jacksonville Armada FC vs. West Florida Flames

Sunshine Conference

Saturday, May 24

4 p.m. (EDT)

Nathaniel Glover Community Field & Stadium – Jacksonville, Fla.

Jacksonville Armada FC looks to knock West Florida Flames from the spot at the top of the Sunshine Conference table when they host title holders in Week Three, a spot the Flames have held for the past two seasons.

The two clubs played to a 1-1 draw in the first and only meeting of the two clubs last year. In 2024, West Florida featured one of the stingiest defenses in the league, conceding a conference-low four goals, one fewer than Jacksonville. This is the only meeting between the two defensive powers in 2025.

WEEK FOUR: May 26 – June 1

Baton Rouge United vs. LA Krewe Rush

Gulf Coast Conference – Delta Basin Division

Wednesday, May 28

7 p.m. (CDT)

Olympia Stadium – Baton Rouge, La.

The first WPSL meeting of these two Louisiana teams could prove to be an instant classic when Baton Rouge United hosts LA Krewe Rush in a Week Four Delta Basin Division clash. When LA Krewe Rush hosts the return match three weeks later so much more about these two teams will be known.

DECATUR FC vs. UFA Gunners

Southeast Conference – Peachtree Division

Friday, May, 30

7 p.m. (EDT)

Decatur High School – Decatur, Ga.

Expansion teams in 2024, DECATUR FC and UFA Gunners formed one of the most bitter and heated rivalries in the league after Decatur stole three points on the road 1-0 to close out the season in the first and only meeting between the suburban Atlanta-based clubs. The win put DECATUR FC two points ahead of UFA in the standings, and just a single point out of first place.

Expect a huge crown on hand for this one. DECATUR set league attendance records throughout the 2025 season. There is no matchday experience like it in the WPSL. The two clubs face off again in Week Six in the return match.

Chattanooga FC vs. Georgia Impact

Southeast Conference – Peachtree Division

Friday, May 30

7 p.m. (EDT)

Finley Stadium – Chattanooga, Tenn.

Chattanooga FC looks for revenge after stumbling against Georgia Impact on the road, 5-0, last year in the two club’s only meeting. Both clubs are looking to build on the middle-of-the-table performances from last season in the reconfigured Peachtree Division which sees Chattanooga square off against Georgia-based clubs in a new division.. Georgia Impact hosts the return match in Week Seven.

McLean Soccer vs. Alexandria Reds

Atlantic Conference – The District Division

Sunday, June 1

6 p.m. (EDT)

Oakton High School – Vienna, Va.

Both McLean and Alexandria look to build on their debut WPSL seasons in the all-second-year The District Division. McLean took both matches in last year’s series, winning 3-0 at home in Week Five and 3-2 on the road to close out the regular season. McLean Soccer finished 2024 ranked ninth in the South Region Power Rankings.

WEEK FIVE: June 2 – 8

865 Alliance vs. Nashville Rhythm FC

Southeast Conference – Pioneer Division

Sunday, June 8

6 p.m. (EDT)

Hardin Valley Academy – Knoxville, Tenn.

The top spot for the newly anointed Pioneer Division could be up for grabs when last year’s Southeast Conference regular-season winners 865 Alliance host traditional powerhouse, Nashville Rhythm FC

In the only meeting between the two clubs last season, Nashville picked up a well-earned point on the road with a 2-2 draw. Alliance finished 2024 unbeaten, ranked 14th Nationally and number three in the South Region. The two clubs close out the 2025 season at Nashville in Week Eight.

WEEK SIX: June 9 – 15

Carolina FC vs. Port City FC

Atlantic Conference – Carolinas Division

Friday, June 13

7 p.m. (EDT)

J. Burt Gillette Athletic Complex – Wilson, N.C.

Carolina FC, playing under a new moniker, hosts fellow sophomore club, Port City FC in what looks to be a determining Carolinas Division match in Week Six at Pleasant Park in Apex, N.C.

Port City took both matches last season of burgeoning in-state rivalry winning 2-0 on the road and 3-0 at home. Port City’s two wins over Carolina,fka Trinity Fire, boosted the Wilmington-based club to number seven in the South Region to close out the season.

WFC Charlotte vs. NCFC

Atlantic Conference – Carolinas Division

Sunday, June 14

6 p.m. (EDT)

Ortho Carolina Soccer Complex – Pineville, N.C.

The most tenured club in the Carolinas Division hosts the division’s newest franchise in this highly anticipated mid-season matchup when WFC Charlotte welcomes expansion side NCFC to the Queen City.

After finishing just short of conference titles in all four of the club’s WPSL seasons, WFC Charlotte is in prime position to take its first title. The Week Six matchup could prove to be highly impactful on the rest of the season for both clubs in the two clubs’ first WPSL meeting. The Week Nine return match in the home-and-home series closes out the regular season for both clubs.

WEEK SEVEN: June 16 – 22

Seminole Ice vs. FC PrimeTime

Sunshine Conference

Sunday, June 22

3 p.m. (EDT)

Seminole Soccer Complex – Sanford, Fla.

Two of the more experienced clubs in the Sunshine Conference square off in what could decide the conference winner in a Week Seven slugfest in Sandford, Fla. It is the only time the two clubs meet in 2025.

Seminole Ice took the only meeting between the two clubs last season, winning 1-0 at FC PrimeTime. The two clubs finished 2024 in a dead heat at 5-1-2, with FC PrimeTime taking the second place in the tight Sunshine Conference table on goal differential.