By Jon Johnson
Dothan United embarks on its third season in the United Soccer League Two with a division battle against Montgomery United FC on Saturday night at Rip Hewes Stadium beginning at 7 p.m.
After two exhibition matches in which Dothan defeated LAX FC of Panama City, Fla., and Fort Rucker FC, the Dragons now set their sights on a second straight Southern Conference championship as the regular season begins.
New coach Ricky Davey knows it’s about to get real.
“Really, really excited,” Davey said. “It will be a different kind of intensity and energy. It has to be from us, and also will be from the opposition.
“It’s going to go either one or two ways from the start. We’re either coming out all guns blazing or we’ll take a minute to adjust. Hopefully, it’s the former, but we’ll see.
“It’s going to be a level up from what we faced in preseason and the guys know that. We’ve been training for Saturday … and not overlooking the opposition in preseason … but we really have had Saturday the 16th in our mind for a long time.”
It will mark the first regular-season game for Davey as head coach after taking over the role vacated by Carl Reynolds, who resigned in January after being hired as the associate head men’s soccer coach at Liberty University. Reynolds has since added the duties as head coach of Asheville (N.C.) FC in the USL2. Reynolds led the Dragons during their first two years of a franchise, which included the team reaching the league national semifinals a year ago.
Along those same lines, it will be the debut of new Montgomery United head coach Magnun Silva, who most recently served with Orlando City Soccer Club as the technical director for the MLS NEXT program and head coach of the U17 team.
Here’s more of what to know going into the opener Saturday.
The league: The United Soccer League Two features 158 teams spanning 20 regional divisions across four conferences in the United States. The league is based in Tampa, Fla.
Conference: Dothan United is a member of the South Central Division of the Southern Conference and is joined by Apotheos FC (Atlanta), Birmingham Legion FC 2, Columbus (Ga.) United, East Atlanta FC (Conyers, Ga.), Montgomery United, and Swarm FC (Marietta, Ga.).
Pre-game festivities: A banner raising ceremony showcasing the Dragons as last year’s Southern Conference champions will be unveiled before the game. Also look for a special guest to be introduced who is sure to become a familiar face at home games.
Firing them up: The Circle City Inferno, the official supporter’s group of the Dragons, returns to lead the cheering in the stands for a third straight year. The group enters with drums banging shortly before the start of each game.
Food and drink: Chef Kym’s team oversees the concession stand with a variety of food and drink items. Chick-fil-A also has a booth set up with food near the concession stand and The Purple Penguin will have a truck set up with shaved ice in the end zone area to the right of the scoreboard.
Fun for the kids: Inflatables are set up for children to enjoy in the kids zone near the big video scoreboard.
After the game: Stick around and enjoy a big fireworks show, meet the players and get autographs.
Tickets: General admission tickets are $12 for adults and $7 for children ages 5-11. Children under 5 are admitted free. Center Pitch tickets are $16 for adults and $7 for children ages 5-11. Children under 5 are admitted free. Tickets can be purchased online at www.dothanunitedsoccer.com or at the box office on gameday at Rip Hewes Stadium. Gates open at 6 p.m.
How to contact us: Phone 334-321-7243, email info@dothanunitedsoccer.com or visit the Dothan United office at 1609 West Main St., Suite 203, Dothan, AL 36301. Office hours are Monday through Friday 9 a.m. until 5 p.m.
Dothan United coaching staff:
Ricky Davey (head coach), Connor McGoldrick (assistant), Tommy Shepherd (assistant) and Mike White (goalkeeper coach).
Dothan United roster:
Goalkeepers – Yago Darub, Dillon Griner, Blake Rouse.
Defenders – Julian Jordheim, Devin Koorn, AJ Pama, Josh Hallenburger, Anton Jerga, Gabino Morin, Ty Powell.
Midfielders – Josh Salas, Sean Keane, Tiago Campos, Axel Ambroise-Gravel.
Attackers – Ryan Holmes, Tito Porter, Rodrigo Lopes, Oskar Kaufmann, Justin Nelson, Dyson Clapier, Alec Palanjian, Ivan Gonzalez.
League Opener Set For Saturday
