Huntsville City Football Club makes first playoff berth
Add Axios as your preferred source to
see more of our stories on Google.
HCFC still has two home games to play. Photo: Andrew Katsampes/ISI Photos via Getty Images
Huntsville City Football Club is headed to the playoffs for the first time.
Why it matters: HCFC, which debuted in the 2023 season, continues to grow in popularity and standing in the MLS Next Pro league.
- They're also in the running to have the opening playoff game at home at Wicks Family Field, said Chad Emerson, HCFC managing director.
Catch up quick: The Boys in Blue, ranked sixth, beat 10th-ranked Orlando City B 1-0 with a 75th-minute goal from Maximus Ekk.
- His first goal for the club secured its first-ever playoff berth and earned him Man of the Match.
- They've got two more regular season games the next two weekends, vs Inter Miami CF II at 7pm Sept. 28 and vs Carolina Core FC at noon Oct. 5.
What they're saying: "If Huntsville shows up this Sunday and next Sunday and just cheers on The Boys in Blue ... they're going to get the job done," Emerson told Axios Huntsville. "When they have a huge crowd, it's that extra push that really matters."
- Winning those two games would secure a home match for HCFC for the first playoff round Oct. 19.
How it works: The final match day of the season, Oct. 5, is Decision Day, Emerson said, with all Eastern Division teams playing at the same time.
- Results of the regular seasons will determine seeding for the playoff bracket, and who gets a home game in the first round.
The big picture: The goal since Emerson was hired as the first club employee in September 2022 was always to bring playoff soccer to Huntsville.
- It took a couple years, but he says watching the game with supporters at Yellowhammer Brewing Sunday was one of the most fulfilling professional experiences he's ever had.
"We have the best fans in the league — honestly, we probably have some of the best fans of any soccer league in America," Emerson said. "There's not a fan base in America I would trade for the HCFC fan base."