re: Gulf Coast Premier League

Quesi was a GCPL player before he ever stepped foot in Turkey.

Rafters never said Boca players weren't good. The owner said the GCPL was a 'step down'. Some banter pursued and Rafters became defensive.

Not sure who made that graphic, but the USSF only recognizes division 1-3. Division 4 is amateur and there are no tiers.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/United_States_soccer_league_system

Like I've stated before, yes NPSL has been around since 2002 and are a national league, which gives them more prestige. They have a handful of top level teams that GCPL probably would struggle competing with. But other than the 9-10 teams out of the 100 or so NPSL has, the league is no different then any decent local league. I'll put my money on Lansdowne Bhoys from the Cosmopolitan League in New York over Tyler FC in the NPSL 10 out of 10 times. Harpos FC out of the Colorado Premier League traveled to Detroit City FC and drew them 1-1.

I get the NPSL's model and it has helped facilitate teams like Chattanooga FC and Detroit City FC, but it's also catered to a large amount of delusional owners who threw tens of thousands of dollars at the league only to fold two years later.

Amateur national leagues are nothing more than an umbrella to regional play. Except the regional winners meet at the end of the season to play for a national title. Can you name the last 3 NPSL national champs without looking, no nobody cares other than the winners.

My point being, Rafters have spent well over $100k since their existence, to where BOCA probably under $50k. Both are on the same level, compete with the same ambitions. Neither are getting promoted if they win the league. Boca will be competing in the USASA region III national cup, which if they win will advance them to the USASA national. Rafters do the same exact same thing, but under the NPSL. No difference, just one promotes itself as a national league and the other a regional league.

The GCPL is focused on growing the game where NPSL and PDL aren't. Yes, we have teams that may not have the talent that larger cities have but the fact that an owner can take a shot at trying to build a club in Lake Charles or Hattiesburg without dropping $50k just to start is why we do it.

The Mississippi Storm came and went after 2 seasons, yet Port City FC is thriving and has already surpassed the numbers MS Storm were pulling.

GCPL focuses on keeping it local and community driven. Very happy to see Rafters FC try and create something wtih a club they think lesser of.

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Enjoy your weekend.

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You have to agree that Rafters were pretty cocky going in to this game. I'm almost certain they were very sure of themselves to put BOCA away. Can't say they would have thump their chest afterwards further spewing the 'step down' rhetoric, but my bet is that the chances were high.

I hope it turns into a rivalry for 20+ years.