Appalachian FC announces full schedule, historic first match May 1

Jack Jackson, Reporter
April 14, 2021

Appalachian FC kicks off its inaugural season in the National Premier Soccer League May 1. Throughout the two-month season, Appalachian FC will play 10 Southeast Conference matches before the postseason.

Appalachian FC will play all home games at the Ted Mackorell Soccer Complex in Boone with kickoffs at 7 p.m.

Head coach Dale Parker says it’s been a fun process preparing for the upcoming season.

“I like it. I enjoy it. I enjoy the pressure of people wanting this program to win,” Parker said.

He said there are positives to working in an environment without as much pressure to win. However, as a coach who has found success at the college level, he wants to succeed as he begins coaching at the professional level.

With the season starting right around the end of many university’s spring semesters, Parker said the most challenging part of preparing for the season has been getting all his players’ connections and chemistry developed in time, as many are finishing their spring semesters of college right around the start of Appalachian FC’s season.

“Our biggest worry is making sure we have as many players as possible available for our first match,” Parker said.

The team kicks off on the road, facing Metro Louisville FC in Louisville, Kentucky. Then, it plays two friendly matches with the Tri-City Otters May 7 in Boone and at Kermit Tipton Stadium in Johnson City, Tennessee on May 9 in a home-and-home series. Appalachian FC next returns home to face Georgia Revolution FC on May 15.

On May 22, the team begins a two game road trip, first facing LSA Athletico Lanier in Gainesville, Georgia on May 22, followed by a matchup with North Alabama Soccer Coalition on May 29 in Huntsville, Alabama. Appalachian FC returns home on June 5 to face the Metro Louisville Football Club. The team begins another two-game road trip June 11, facing Georgia Storm in Grisham Stadium in Carrollton, Georgia, followed by a match with Georgia Revolution June 12 at Grisham Stadium.

Appalachian FC plays three straight home games to conclude the regular season. North Alabama Soccer Coalition is the first matchup on June 18, followed up by LSA Athletico Lanier on June 26. They look to finish the regular season on July 3 facing off against Georgia Storm.

For tickets and more information, head to https://www.appalachianfc.com/.

Leave a Comment

Donate to The Appalachian

$1371

$5000

Contributed

Our Goal

We hope you appreciate this article! Before you move on, our student staff wanted to ask if you would consider supporting The Appalachian's award-winning journalism. We are celebrating our 90th anniversary of The Appalachian in 2024!

We receive funding from the university, which helps us to compensate our students for the work they do for The Appalachian. However, the bulk of our operational expenses — from printing and website hosting to training and entering our work into competitions — is dependent upon advertising revenue and donations. We cannot exist without the financial and educational support of our fellow departments on campus, our local and regional businesses, and donations of money and time from alumni, parents, subscribers and friends.

Our journalism is produced to serve the public interest, both on campus and within the community. From anywhere in the world, readers can access our paywall-free journalism, through our website, through our email newsletter, and through our social media channels. Our supporters help to keep us editorially independent, user-friendly, and accessible to everyone.

If you can, please consider supporting us with a financial gift from $10. We appreciate your consideration and support of student journalism at Appalachian State University. If you prefer to make a tax-deductible donation, or if you would prefer to make a recurring monthly gift, please give to The Appalachian Student News Fund through the university here: https://securelb.imodules.com/s/1727/cg20/form.aspx?sid=1727&gid=2&pgid=392&cid=1011&dids=418.15&bledit=1&sort=1.

About the Writer

Jack Jackson, Reporter