MOBA Proud

The Premier Development League is all about developing young athletes into the football superstars of the world. This mission has been more than successful, as seen by the profound amount of talent that has passed through the PDL, including former Boulder Rapids Reserve defender Nat Borchers, now a star player of the Portland Timbers, Brad Guzan (Chicago Fire Premier), goalkeeper for Middlesbrough F.C. of the English Premier League, and Graham Zusi (Central Florida Kraze), starting midfielder for Sporting K.C. and U.S. National Team member. The PDL is a breeding ground for young talent, and Peachtree City MOBA plans to be a hotspot for that talent. After a decent first season in the PDL, MOBA showed promise and potential under the leadership of head coach Jordan Davis, assistant coach and owner Volker Harms, goalkeepers coach Wesley Lutz, and striker Omar Jarun. Upon the completion of the season, many MOBA players headed back to college to continu...

"Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships." - Paul "Bear" Bryant (1913-1983) Probably the most respected coach and leader of the 20th century, Paul Bryant led the University of Alabama football team to six national titles (1961, 64, 65, 73, 78, 79) behind one of the strongest defenses in the nation year after year. Offense sells tickets, but defense wins championships. Bryant epitomized that. Defense is the cornerstone to almost every dynasty, and Peachtree City MOBA began their dynasty preaching defense, featuring some of the top defenders in the league in Salomon Lorenzano and Adam Sheikali. But there was one defenseman who really built a name for himself among the fans, and that man is Jack Coulton. Captain of the Reinhardt University men's association football team in Waleska, Georgia, the four-year All-AAC first-teamer features football experience from England and New Zealand, and also has three years of exp...

The most exciting time of any sport's season, by far, is opening day. Every team has a sense of optimism and promise and can't wait to finally get everything kicked off. Peachtree City MOBA and the rest of the USL PDL were no exception. After roughly 6-7 months of planning, recruiting, and signing, the 25-man roster took to Clinton, Mississippi and Traceway Park to take on the defending Mid South Division Champions, Mississippi Brilla FC, in their first-ever match as a team. Little was expected, as it was a matter of learning how the team went together more than anything, but excitement was brewing under the pitch. As the game kicked off, Mississippi immediately looked to press. Experience seemed to be taking precedence over anything else, and MOBA couldn't seem to find a rhythm. The ball seemingly stuck in Brilla's half, but Peachtree City showed that their defense, led by Salomon Lorenzano and Adam Sheikali was one to be trifled with. Goalkeeper Jeremy Booth was ...

One of the great things about the 2016 Peachtree City MOBA roster was the extreme diversity of players. From right here in Peachtree City, to Melbourne, Florida, to England, to Kuwait, MOBA had no lack in flavor. One of the most influential foreign players on the roster was England-born Taku Mashingaidze. Mashingaidze was born and raised in England, and was a star player on many youth clubs. Upon his move to America, Taku decided to enroll in Georgia Military College and become an active member of the Bulldogs squad. As many of the young players of MOBA did this summer, he joined in an effort to stay in top-shape and compete at a high-level, which is one of the main goals of the Premier Development League. Taku would not take this new challenge lightly, as he was always looking to make an impact on the pitch with this new club. Mashingaidze made his first appearance with Peachtree City against the Southern West Virginia King's Warriors on the road in a 3-0 loss, in wh...

Pontiac, Michigan, just north of Detroit, was host to one of the most exciting championship games in the history of the Premier Development League. After defeating the Ocean City Nor'easters in New Jersey on July 30th, Calgary Foothills FC headed to Pontiac looking to do something no team has done all year: defeat the Michigan Bucks at home. The stingy, possession-oriented Bucks defense led by goalkeeper Drew Shepherd dominated Midland Odessa at the Ultimate Soccer Arenas, where the #1 seed in the playoffs scored 3 goals to  send the Sockers back to Texas. Michigan then prepared to battle for the PDL championship at home, with a chance to win their league-record 3rd trophy. The clash of playstyles was evident early on as both teams were able to work to their own advantages, Calgary being very counter-happy, and Michigan looking to hold the ball for minutes on end. Michigan seemed to be given an early opportunity as striker Russell Cicerone looked to be...

First-ever's. Late Drama. Fighting Adversity. We watch sports for the excitement, the idea of everything being unknown. Nobody has any idea how a game is going to end, or who the hero is going to be. Nobody knows if something that's never been done before will happen in that game. And that is why we watch. Which explains in great detail why the battle with Tri-Cities Otters FC was one of the most incredible series of the season. Coming off of a heart-breaking 2-1 loss to Mississippi Brilla FC in MOBA's first ever match, Peachtree City wanted redemption as they headed to Johnson City to take on Tri-Cities. That desire for victory showed tremendously as MOBA struck first in the 11th minute to take the lead over the Otters off an Omar Jarun goal. The home team would not sit idly by and accept defeat once more, and they struck back in the 41st minute, knotting the game at 1. It seemed almost inevitable that the game would go into the half 1-1, but Jarun had other plans. Brys...