Shreveport Rafters FC
| |||
Full name | Shreveport Rafters Futbol Club | ||
---|---|---|---|
Nickname(s) | Rafters FC | ||
Founded | 2016 | ||
Stadium | Independence Stadium | ||
Capacity | 49,565 | ||
Owner | Montgomery Cole | ||
Head Coach | Greg Palmer | ||
League | National Premier Soccer League | ||
Website | Club website | ||
|
Shreveport Rafters FC is a soccer team based in Shreveport, Louisiana. Founded in 2016, the team plays in the National Premier Soccer League (NPSL), a national amateur league at the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Lonestar Conference.[1]
The team plays its home games at Independence Stadium.[2] The team's colors are blue, white, and yellow.
About
In 2015, Shreveport-based brothers announced they would be bringing a professional soccer team to Shreveport, Louisiana, the first professional soccer team in the history of the city.[3]
The team is named for the infamous Great Raft log jam which clogged the Red and Atchafalaya Rivers from the 1100s to early 1900's.
Rafters FC played their inaugural season in 2016, garnering a 8-7-3 record.[4]
Rafters FC debuted a customized jersey that became a viral sensation in soccer media as it featured a printed seersucker jacket and pink bowtie.[5]
Stadium
Rafters FC currently play their home matches at Independence Stadium. They previously played at Graf Orthodontics Field at Messmer Stadium,[6] a local stadium used primarily for high school sporting events and community events. Max capacity of the stadium is estimated at 3,500 with the Rafters averaging 2,000-3,000 in attendance each match for the 2016 season.
Current roster
As of October 30, 2016.[7]
Where a player has not declared an international allegiance, nation is determined by place of birth. Squad correct as of October 30, 2016.[8]
No. | Position | Player | Nation |
---|---|---|---|
12 | Midfielder | Russell Alverez | |
— | Midfielder | Andre Anasi | |
— | Midfielder | Brett Barker | |
— | Midfielder | Matt Barcelona | |
— | Defender | Aaron Bergman | |
— | Defender | Alex Curry | |
2 | Defender | Justin Depardieu | |
5 | Defender | Sean French | |
23 | Goalkeeper | Tom Fuller | |
10 | Midfielder | Jesus Hernandez | |
— | Defender | Dakota Hill | |
— | Defender | Christopher Miller | |
11 | Forward | Luiz Petribu | |
— | Goalkeeper | Lance Quini | |
— | Defender | Abdallah Rayyan | |
— | Defender | Xavier Scarlett | |
— | Defender | Che Walcott | |
4 | Defender | Robert Watson | |
2 | Goalkeeper | Adam Williams |
|}
Year-by-year
Year | Conference | League | Regular Season | Avg. Attendance | Playoffs | Open Cup |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
2016 | South Central | NPSL | 7th, 8-7-3 | 2,000-3,000 | Divisional Semifinals | Did not qualify |
2017 | Lonestar | NPSL | 5th, 3-1-3 | 2,000-3,000 | ' |
Coaches
As of October 23, 2016.[10]
- Head Coach
Greg Palmer (2016–present)[11] - Assistant Head Coach
Emmett Rutkowski (2016–present)[12] - Assistant Coach, Opposition Analysis
Robert Stults (2016–present)[13] - Assistant Coach, Goalkeeping
Colt Reichl (2016–present)[14] - Assistant Coach, Sports Science
Ian Coyer (2016–present)[15] - Assistant Coach, Sports Science
Scott LeBlanc (2016–present)[16] - Assistant Coach, Sports Science
Todd Zachary (2016–present)[17]
- Assistant Head Coach
Associated Clubs
Lady Rafters FC
In July 2016, the Rafters announced they would be fielding a Women's Premier Soccer League team, the Shreveport Lady Rafters FC, starting in 2017. The team will be coached by Northern Ireland native Ryan McConville.[18]
Rafters Reserves
In September 2016, the Rafters announced a reserves team, the Shreveport Rafters FC B team, would play in the Gulf Coast Premier League.[19]
References
- ↑ "Rafters FC FAQ's". Retrieved October 23, 2016.
- ↑ http://www.raftersfc.com/uncategorized/rafters-make-independence-stadium-new-home/
- ↑ Lyon, Chris (17 October 2015). "Shreveport to Field First Semi-Professional Soccer Team Since the 90s".
- ↑ "Inaugural season success sets bar higher for Rafters". Retrieved October 23, 2016.
- ↑ Mustard, Extra. "Soccer team unveils seersucker jerseys".
- ↑ "Rafters unveil jerseys, announce plans for new stadium".
- ↑ "Rafters F.C. – Shreveport/Bossier's NPSL Soccer Team! » Rafters F.C. Players".
- ↑ "FRoster". Retrieved October 23, 2016.
- ↑ "Rafters ready to kick off inaugural season in Shreveport".
- ↑ "Rafters F.C. – Shreveport/Bossier's NPSL Soccer Team! » Staff".
- ↑ "Rafters F.C. – Shreveport/Bossier's NPSL Soccer Team! » Greg Palmer".
- ↑ "Rafters F.C. – Shreveport/Bossier's NPSL Soccer Team! » Emmett Rutkowski".
- ↑ "Rafters F.C. – Shreveport/Bossier's NPSL Soccer Team! » Robert Stults".
- ↑ "Rafters F.C. – Shreveport/Bossier's NPSL Soccer Team! » Colt Reichl".
- ↑ "Rafters F.C. – Shreveport/Bossier's NPSL Soccer Team! » Ian Coyer".
- ↑ "Rafters F.C. – Shreveport/Bossier's NPSL Soccer Team! » Scott LeBlanc".
- ↑ "Rafters F.C. – Shreveport/Bossier's NPSL Soccer Team! » Todd Zachary".
- ↑ "Northern Ireland native to coach Lady Rafters". Retrieved October 23, 2016.
- ↑ "Rafters Reserves Announce Coach, Schedule and Tryouts". Retrieved October 30, 2016.