AFC Mobile Defeats New Orleans Jesters 3-2 in U-19 Matchup

By AFC Mobile

AFC Mobile earned their first win in the NPSL U-19 pilot after beating the New Orleans Jesters 3-2.  This was the Jesters’ first loss in the pilot. 

“In the first three games, we were really in the phase of like a preseason, putting the team together,” AFC Mobile U-19 coach Hatem Morsy said. “We were good in defending shape, and we were great at finishing.  We scored three goals and missed another three chances.” 

AFC Mobile found the back of the net in the eighth minute when Jesters keeper Jourdan Schumacher saved Tyler Long’s shot.  Schumacher’s save deflected the ball into the box and was nearly put away by Erik Aispuro.  Still, he couldn’t quite make contact with the ball.  Despite Aispuro not being able to connect with the ball, it rolled into the back of the net, giving the Azaleas the lead and Long the first goal of the game. 

The Jesters responded in the 17th minute when Matthew Vallejo Marquez slotted home a shot that had ricocheted off the post.  The Jesters would go on and dominate much of the first half. Still, the Junior Azaleas doubled their tally in the 35th minute after Tyler Long scored in transition to give Mobile a 2-1 lead. 

Mobile took a 3-1 lead in the 88th minute after a Jesters’ own goal. The Jesters would pull one back in the 90th minute after Adamandios Toras scored a penalty after Mobile’s Salia Carr was booked for a dangerous tackle in the penalty box. 

This was the second matchup between the two teams this season.  Two weeks ago, the Junior Azaleas traveled to New Orleans and lost 7-1.  After last week’s tight 1-0 loss to Port City and this week’s 3-2 over the Jesters, Morsy believes his team has turned a corner. 

“We are going to be one of the competitive teams for the rest of the season,” said Morsy. 

The AFC Mobile U-19s will return to action this Friday night on the road against Southern States SC in Hattiesburg, Mississippi.  The Jesters will travel to Pensacola, Florida, on Saturday to take on the Pensacola FC U-19s. 

Photo Credit: AFC Mobile