The 2020-21 US Youth Soccer Mid South Conference season kicked off play over the weekend, as 65 teams from Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Mississippi, Louisiana and Tennessee competed at Emory Folmar Soccer Complex in Montgomery, Ala. The event included teams in the 14U through 19U Boys age groups and the 14U, 15U, 16U and 18U Girls age groups.

In total, this season will see 109 Mid South Conference teams compete for qualification into the 2021 USYS Southern Regional Championships, as well as qualification into the 2021-22 USYS National League Playoffs.

The weekend saw teams compete to secure an early spot at the top of the standings.

In the 17U Boys Premier I Division, Baton Rouge SC 04 Black (LA) took on defending Mid South Conference champion Germantown Legends 04 Black (TN) on Sunday after both teams had double headers on Saturday. In an exciting back-and-forth matchup, Baton Rouge earned a 4-3 victory to finish the weekend with two wins and a draw.

Baton Rouge displayed a balanced attack, as its four goals against Germantown came from four different players. The first goal was scored by Etienne Julien when he was able to curl the ball into the far right corner of the goal. The second goal was scored by Ayden Rawashdeh off an assist by Buster Couhig. Liam Moran netted the third tally off a corner kick from the right side, and the fourth goal was a penalty kick scored by Jaxson Stovall after the foul was drawn by Tobore Takpor.

Baton Rouge SC 04 Black head coach JB Brunet talked about preparing for this season.

“We were only allowed to train in different variations during the break,” Brunet said. “But, we stayed as fit as we could and as things started opening up we were able to start preparing for competition. Every team is good in this league and the league itself is doing a great job with putting everything together. We always want to improve, but we are honestly just happy to be playing again.”

On the girls’ side, North Alabama 03 Gravity Showcase (AL) took on Baton Rouge SC 03 Black (LA) in Gravity’s first-ever Mid South Conference game.

North Alabama’s Abby Lynam started things off with a corner kick to Ella Zierdt, who headed the ball past the keeper's reach in the 20th minute. North Alabama struck again in the 35th minute when Kendal Huzar placed a penalty kick into the bottom right corner of the goal. Baton Rouge’s lone goal in the 75th minute didn’t spark a complete comeback, as North Alabama finished the game with a 2-1 victory.

“Saturday was a tight game and a hard-fought victory,” North Alabama head coach Luke Oakley said. “It was a game missing many clear-cut chances with both teams canceling each other out. The opportunities each team got, they capitalized on.”

Oakley also talked about his team’s experience and expectations during its first year in the Mid South Conference.

“It's only one weekend old for us, but I thought it went well and we were communicated with prior and during the event, even when we had weather issues Sunday morning,” Oakley said. “The National League is the highest level of girls soccer currently in North Alabama. We have many unsigned players hoping to be seen at these events and the National League Showcase Series in early December. Additionally, this level of soccer helps us when we go back to compete for our State Cup.”

Other Mid South Conference teams that started their season in the win column…

14U Boys

Emerald Force SC 07 Atletico (TN)

Tennessee United SC 07 Red (TN)

United SC 07 Premier (AL)

MS Futbol Club Rush 07 Premier (MS)

Tennessee SC 07 Nike (TN)

14U Girls

Collierville SA 07 Lady Lobos Premier (TN)

Tennessee SC Williamson 07 Nike (TN)

MS Futbol Club Rush 07 Premier (MS)

Eagle Express SC 07 Lady Eagles (TN)

15U Boys

MS Futbol Club Rush 06 Premier (MS)

South Mississippi SC Elite Blue 06 Tbruni (MS)

Louisiana Fire Juniors 06 Red (LA)

Collierville SA 06 Lobos Rush Premier (TN)

16U Boys

Hattiesburg YSA HFC Thunder '05 (MS)

Germantown Legends 05 Black NL (TN)

MS Futbol Club Rush United 05 Premier (MS)

Tennessee United SC 05 Red (TN)

United SC 05 Premier (AL)

Baton Rouge SC 05 Black (LA)

16U Girls

Mighty Bluebirds 05 (AR)

17U Boys

Germantown Legends 04 Black (TN)

Baton Rouge SC 04 Black (LA)

Gulf Coast Rangers FC 04 Red (AL)

Memphis FC Blue (TN)

Nashville United Soccer Academy 04 Maroon (TN)

17U Girls

Mandeville Soccer Club Lakers Elite 04 (LA)

18U Boys

Germantown Legends 03 Black NL (TN)

Mandeville SC Lakers Elite 03 (LA)

Tennessee SC 03 Showcase (TN)

MS Futbol Club Rush United 03 Premier (MS)

18U Girls

North Alabama SC Gravity 03 Showcase (AL)

Mandeville Soccer Club Lakers Elite 03 (LA)

19U Boys

Louisiana Fire Juniors 02 Red (LA)

Baton Rouge SC 02/03 Black (LA)

Mobile United Futbol Club 02 D1 (AL)

Arkansas Legion SC 02 Premier (AR)

Nashville United SA 02 Maroon (TN)

The next two Mid South Conference hosted events will each take place Oct. 10-11. One will be located at Merrimack Turf Complex in Huntsville, Ala., and will include teams from the 14U through 18U Boys age groups. The other event will be located at Richard Siegel Soccer Complex in Murfreesboro, Tenn., and will include teams from the 19U Boys and 14U, 15U, 16U and 18U Girls age groups.

For more information on the Mid South Conference, including schedules, scores, and standings, click here.

For more information on all of the National League Conferences, the National League Showcase Series, and the National League Playoffs, click here.