Peachtree City MOBA

Peachtree City MOBA

Full name	MOBA Soccer Academy
Founded	2013
Stadium	MOBA Soccer Stadium
Ground Capacity	1,000
Owner	Volker Harms
Coach	Jordan Davis
League	Premier Development League
2016	6th, South Atlantic Division Playoffs: DNQ
Website	Club home page
Home colors Away colors

Peachtree City MOBA is an American soccer team based in Peachtree City, Georgia, United States. Founded as a soccer academy in 2013, the team plays in the Premier Development League, the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid.

History

The MOBA Soccer Academy, owned by Volker Harms, was awarded a franchise in the Premier Development League on January 15, 2016. The teams new academy complex features an indoor training facility, with locker rooms, classrooms, meeting rooms, and a weight-training room. The complex also has two FIFA regulation fields, with seating up to 1,000 fans each.^[1]

2016 - Present: Inaugural Season/Jordan Davis Era

On January 20, 2016, it was announced that former Atlanta Silverbacks player Jordan Davis would be named head coach of Peachtree City MOBA.^[2] The team's inaugural match took place on May 14, 2016, a 2-1 loss to Mississippi Brilla. The first ever goal in club history was scored by Alex Rotoloni.^[3] MOBA earned their first win in the second game of the year against the Tri-Cities Otters FC, with a final score of 2-1. Both goals were scored by Omar Jarun.^[4]

MOBA got its first ever home win on June 22, 2016 in a 2-1 dramatic victory also against Tri-Cities with an 86th minute goal by Omar Jarun and a late stoppage time goal by Jessey Hein.^[5] Peachtree City finished their inaugural season with 3 wins, 9 losses, and 2 draws, 6th in the South Atlantic Division.

Stadium

Peachtree City MOBA's original plan was to begin play at the MOBA Soccer Academy's MOBA Soccer Stadium, the 1,000 seat stadium on Highway 74. However, it was announced on March 11, 2016 on the club's Facebook page that, due to rain delay, the stadium would not be finished in time, and 2016 games would have to be moved to the football stadium at Starr's Mill High School until further notice.^[6]

Rivalries

Tormenta FC

The 2016 PDL Season marked the inaugural season for both Peachtree City MOBA, and Tormenta FC, the PDL team based out of Statesboro. The Premier Development League's Director of Operations, Todd Eason, stated "[W]e believe the league's second new addition in Georgia this offseason will quickly create a rivalry between Peachtree City MOBA and Tormenta FC."^[7] The hope for a rivalry seemed to be becoming a reality when the two teams faced off for the first time on June 3rd, 2016. 6 yellow cards were distributed throughout the match, including one in the 10th minute, the minute that the live stream for the game came online. MOBA ultimately won the match 1-0 off of an Iain Smith goal in the 67th minute, but tempers were flaring all night. Later that season, the two met again in Peachtree City, in a match that ultimately ended in a 3-3 tie, including two goals by MOBA's Todd Fidler in his first ever start. Peachtree City MOBA leads the all-time series 1-0-1.

Staff

Volker Harms - Owner & Assistant Coach
Jordan Davis - Head Coach
Wesley Lutz - Goalkeepers Coach
Jutta Harms - Director of Public Relations
Jeff Malasek - Operations Manager
Kathy Phalen - Marketing Manager & Sponsorship
Tom Deaver - "Executive Director"

Seasons

References