UPSL kicks off
Huntsville looks to bounce back
Huntsville City FC
Image credit: Atlanta United
Huntsville City will be on the road for the third game in a row, against Atlanta United 2 on Sunday, March 15 at 6:00. HCFC needs to rebound after getting drilled by Crown Legacy last week 7-2. Atlanta has started the season with a draw against New England and a 2-1 win over Carolina Core last week. It's hard to get a read on Atlanta so far, but the initial read is that they like to play with possession, and will also try to park the bus and sit on a lead. Huntsville has been very aggressive offensively, but were exposed at the back by Crown. They'll need to get the lead and make sure that Atlanta can't settle into a defensive posture.
UPSL
The Spring season srarts this weekend for the Georgia divisions of UPSL Premier. The Division 1 season will kick off next weekend.
FC Birmingham vs Georgia Impact; Saturday, March 14 at 6:00. This contest is out of the Georgia North, and FCB is the only Lower Alabama team in that conference. FCB is working to rebuild, and will not have a reserve team this Spring. Hopefully that will give them some depth that they've been missing. Impact was a playoff team in the Fall and will be the favorites in this one. If Birmingham comes away with points, it will be a good sign for the season.
FC Columbus Elite vs Georgia Revolution; Saturday, March 14 at 6:00 ET. It had been reported that Fountain City was going to merge with UMA FC last Fall, but nothing really came of that. Instead, Fountain City and Colgaelite have merged for the Spring under the Elite banner, and they'll also operate a reserve squad in Division 1. Theoretically, this will lead to two stronger teams. Elite has always had the talent to beat some of the top teams, but they've been inconsistent. The first match against the Revolution will be a big test, and Elite needs to come away with points. This contest is from the Georgia South conference.
UMA FC will also be in the South Conference, but their first game isn't until next week. They've changed venues to be closer to the club's home base (LaGrange, GA), but will still be playing across the border in Alabama.
Division 1
Division 1 coverage begins next week, and will include three teams that will all be in that Division's Georgia South conference. Columbus Knight Eagles returns, and will be joined by Colgaelite 2 and Calera FC. Calera is a new club, and I'll have an article to spotlight them next week.