NPSL Regional Playoffs Preview: South

The 2024 NPSL Regional Playoffs kick-off this week with semifinal matches taking place across the four regions.  Ahead of the midweek competition, NPSL.com’s Sean Maslin will be providing a breakdown of each of the teams as they head into their matches on Wednesday. In this edition, he will be focusing on the South Region.

In the South Region Semifinals on Wednesday West Texas FC (Lone Star Conference) hosts OKC 1889 FC (Heartland Conference), while Hickory FC (Southeast Conference) hosts Columbus United FC (Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference). The two winners will then compete for the South Region Championship on Saturday.  

Columbus United FC

Head Coach: Brett Teach

Regular Season Record: 4-3-3, 14 points (Fourth Place in the Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference)

Pathway to the South Regional Playoffs: Defeated Tallahassee SC (3-2) in the Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference Quarterfinals, Pensacola FC (2-1) in the Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference Semifinals, and Jacksonville Armada (3-1) in the Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference Championship. 

Key Players to Watch: GK Matheus Campos (University of Rio Grande), MID Evans Depaah (Campbell University), FWD Josiah Fontenot (University of West Florida) 

Hickory FC

Head Coach: Carlos Rubio

Regular Season Record: 7-1-2, 22 points (Second Place in the Southeast Conference)

Pathway to the South Region Playoffs: Defeated Apotheos FC (2-1) in the Southeast Conference Semifinals and Appalachian FC (3-0) in the Southeast Conference Championship

Key Players to Watch: FWD Diego Fernandez (eight goals, Mars Hill University), DEF Ivan Rubio (scored in the conference semifinals), FWD Tomas Pollacchi (Emmanuel College)

OKC 1889 FC

Head Coach: Harvey Paul

Regular Season Record: 4-1-1, 13 points (First Place in the Heartland Conference)

Pathway to the South Region Playoffs: Won their Conference Regular Season Title

Key Players to Watch: FWD Cesar Solis (scored a brace in their 2-1 win over the Demize), FWD Teejay Chiororo (three goals, Southwest Christian University), GK Chance Johnson (Southwest Methodist University)

West Texas FC

Head Coach: David Ormiston

Regular Season Record: 7-1-2, 22 points (First Place in the Lone Star Conference)

Pathway to the South Region Playoffs: Defeated Laredo Heat 5-1 in the Lone Star Conference Semifinals and Denton Diablos 4-1 in the Lone Star Conference Championship

Key Players to Watch: FWD Antoine Marques (seven goals, Faulkner University), MID Luke McCormick (three assists in 5-1 win last week against Laredo Heat SC, West Virginia University), FWD Ethan Stevenson (Longwood University)

Please check out the NPSL Playoffs page for all of the latest on the NPSL Playoffs. 

Photo Credit: Bryson Smith/Hickory FC