After 10 weeks of competition in the United Premier Soccer League, Potros FC’s Spring 2021 season came to an end in early June after making it to the playoffs for the first time.

Potros FC definitely came a long way in just one season. In the Fall 2020 season they ended at the bottom of the standings with only eight points and unfortunately did not make it to the playoffs. But this Spring 2021 they managed to turn things around as they ended the season with 13 points and made it to the first round of the playoffs.

There were many moments throughout the season that were important to the growth that this club achieved, and as a result it seemed only right to take a look back at some of the team’s favorite moments and to see who they voted as the best of the best.

The results

Best Returning Player- Benjamin Uranga

Benjamin Uranga wins Best Returning Player because he was the top scorer in the Fall 2020 season, and was the captain and leader of the team going into this new season. His teammates agree that he knows how to lead the team during a game and motivates the team to do better instead of just yelling at them. Benjamin has proved through and through that he is a capable leader not only on the field, but off it as well.

“He was our top scorer in the fall, and was our captain and leader coming into the new season.”

Christopher Uranga

“He’s a true captain”

Carlos Sola

“By far the core of this group, he’s always kept our team together since day one and it’s carried on since the ADASL.”

Sebastian Ramirez

Best New Player & Best Forward- Manuel Carrillo

Manuel Carrillo came new to Potros FC this Spring 2021 season and instantly became a force to be reckoned with. The Venezuelan forward who recently came from playing with Nasa Tophat, Concorde Fire Soccer and the Atlanta United Academy, managed to score six goals throughout the season and was a key element in securing Potros FC with a playoff spot.

“He’s our top scorer and difference maker in games.”

Christopher Uranga

“I already knew him when where in high school and I knew he was good, but I didn’t know he was that good! This man can kick a ball like it’s nothing and always put it on target.”

Carlos Sola

“He’s our top goal scorer and he secured our playoff spot in our last game against Limeño.” “He’s always been there when we’ve needed him.”

Sebastian Ramirez

“He’s a goal scoring machine.”

Kaan Vann

“Craque”

Rodrigo Feitosa

Best Defender- Jorge Lopez

Jorge Lopez, who previously played for Dalton State College and Georgia Storm, joined Potros FC during the Spring 2021 season. He has been an integral part of the team’s defense and a very vocal contributor.

“Rock solid defender”

Kaan Vann

“He’s insane. He won every header, and mostly every tackle. Definitely a key part of the defense.”

Jose Bautista

“He’s an absolute wall.”

Augusto del rio

“Has great consistency and is very good at 1 on 1 defending.”

Osvaldo franco

Best Midfielder & Most Valuable Player – Augusto “Bebol” Del Rio

Augusto Del Rio was one of the many newcomers of the Spring 2021 season. Having previously played for Montessori Cartagena, Southern Soccer Academy, and Seas Jamaica United, Augusto made his presence known by showing great rhythm and passion on the field. So much so that he was not only chosen as the best midfielder, but also as Potros’ Spring 2021 Most Valuable Player.

“He made things happen. He was very positive going forward and is a very creative player.”

Jose Bautista

” He’s simply a magician. He has always worked hard and is arguably the smallest person on the field (other than Sebas), but it’s so hard to take the ball away from him. He creates danger, is always demanding the ball and is very vocal. He’s someone you won’t be able to outwork.”

Sebastian Ramirez

“His passion and skills motivate everyone to perform at their best.”

Benjamin Uranga

“He has a great mindset and is always cheering the team on, as well as getting them back in focus when needed. He takes care of business and is a great teammate!”

Jorge Lopez

Best Goalkeeper – Carlos Guerrero

Best Save- Carlos Guerrero vs Rovers

Carlos Guerrero joined Potros FC a year ago in their first UPSL season, and continued as goalkeeper through the Spring 2021 season. He’s had many great moments on the team in his year at Potros FC, namely saving a penalty in the preseason, and coming up with a big save in Liga de Naciones against KSA. This is why Carlos Guerrero was not only voted Best Goalkeeper, but also received the most votes for Best Save in the game against Rovers.

“Carlos started and came up in strong moments for most of our games. Ultimately, he had a great season where he didn’t concede too many goals and made little to no mistakes.”

Marc Bineau

“Carlos saved us in the dying minutes (in Liga de Naciones) and won us the three points.”

Jose Bautista

“When it comes to Best Save it’s definitely Carlos vs KSA in the Liga de Naciones. We were up 2-1 and it was an amazing upper 90 shot and he made an impossible save for us.”

Benjamin Uranga

“He has very good reflexes.”

Augusto del rio

“Made some key saves this season.”

Osvaldo Franco

Most Improved Player- Georgie Angelides

Georgie Angelides joined Potros FC about three games into the Spring 2021 season. He had previously played for Diagoras FC, Rodos FC, and Rumens Soccer. Georgie provided great help to the team’s attack, and his skills got better as the season progressed.

“He joined mid season and took a while to get into the rhythm of the team but by the end of season he really stepped up as a leader.”

Christopher Uranga

“At first some of us questioned him as an addition to the team because of the Ginga game, but he really stepped up after that and turned his season around. He showed he had incredible skills.”

Carlos Sola

“He came in very uncomfortable with the team, but slowly starting connecting with everyone and worked his way from the bench to the starting 11.”

Sebastian Ramirez

“Georgie was always a player I kept an eye throughout the season. He was a player that no matter whether he starts or came on later in the game he was always ready to ball. I feel like he improved tremendously since the beginning and will keep growing and getting better as we go!”

Jorge Lopez

Best Goal of the Season- Gabriel Koziel Do Carmo vs Forest Rovers

Gabriel Koziel Do Carmo joined Potros FC for their debut UPSL season in the Fall of 2020. Since then he’s become an important part of the midfield and has had his share of goals. Koziel scored the first goal of the Spring 2021 in the match against Forest Rovers. It was this goal that that led Potros to their first victory of the season, and led Koziel to win Best Goal of the season.

“The goal speaks for itself”

Benjamin Uranga

“His goal started off our season with a bang!”

Carlos Sola

“First game of the season, everyone looked a little slow, still 0-0 in the last 15 minutes and Gabriel scored a spectacular goal from over 20 yards out. The goal was great but it also set the team’s spirit up a bit and let the league know that Potros had something special in mind for the season.”

Marc Bineau

“He had the great vision to see the keeper was off his line and took a shot from near half-field”

Osvaldo Franco

“GOLAÇO!!!!”

Rodrigo Feitosa

Best Dynamic Duo- Marc Bineau and Manuel Carrillo

Manuel Carrillo and Marc Bineau are the undisputed winners of the dynamic duo award. The two forwards are Potros FC’s top scorers having scored six goals each in the Spring 2021 season.

“How many times did they assist each other? They understood each other well and played off each other well.”

Christopher Uranga

“Two forwards with almost the same style. We had some great combinations of play. I would normally be on the wing when we’re both on the field but I knew exactly where to be when Manuel would drop in to playmake sometimes and that created some problems defenders of the opposite team. We both assisted each other during the season.”

Marc Bineau

“They were both the top scorers which made them obviously dangerous on the field for any opponent.”

Osvaldo Franco

“CRAQUES.”

Rodrigo Feitosa

Favorite Moment of the Season- Drawing 2-2 against Limeño and making the playoffs

Favorite Opponent- Limeño

The road to the playoffs for Potros FC was a long one, and there was a lot of anticipation and excitement going into the final game of the regular season. One that promised to be a difficult one. It was May 15, 2021 when Potros FC went against Limeño Soccer Academy in Lawrenceville, Georgia.

Limeño had just plateaued in their last couple of games, whereas Potros had come off a win against Club ATLetic and a hard fought loss against FC Matata. This meant that the time to kick things into high gear and focus was now.

This game felt like a final for sure. There was high emotions, and of course there was drama. Potros got ahead early on with a goal from Marc Bineau, but that only ignited Limeño’s fire. They later responded with two goals from shots outside the box. Unfortunately for Potros not only were they trailing by one goal, they were also going to end up playing down a man due to Gabriel Koziel Do Carmo being sent off for serious foul play that occurred outside the box.

Things seemed like they were going to get worse before they got better as minutes later Augusto Del Rio was also sent off with a red card for dissent against the referee after previously receiving a yellow for that same reason. Potros were now down to nine men and the game seemed to be slipping away from them as Limeño picked up steam.

Hope however, is the last thing that should be lost, Potros were still playing in such a way that inspired it’s crowd to cheer them on as if they were the ones that were in the lead. And then in the 81st minute Manuel Carrillo came to the rescue with a beautiful goal that sent the Potros team and its fans into a celebratory uproar. The atmosphere as I remember it made it feel like Potros had won it all, forget the feeling of ending in a draw, this felt like they had won the World Cup.

“This game was crazy!”

Rodrigo Feitosa

“The team’s passion in the game is what made this one in particular my favorite moment.”

Kaan Vann

” The game against Limeño is my favorite moment because it allowed us to clinch a spot in the playoffs for the first time.”

Carlos Guerrero

The comeback and the effort that it took is what made this moment in particular the Favorite Moment of the Season. Potros were down 2-1, they were down to nine men, and managed to tie the game and make it to the UPSL playoffs for the first time ever!

Potros FC later faced Limeño just a few weeks after their previous encounter. They faced off in the first round of the UPSL playoffs on June 6, 2021. Where things got heated again and not just because it was about 94 degrees and the match was scheduled at three in the afternoon. Potros played their hearts out and managed to score a goal, but ultimately fell to Limeño after going down to nine players once again.

Even though Potros have had their share of dramatic encounters with Limeño, they actually consider them to be their favorite opponent.

“Limeño always gives us a good battle and they don’t play dirty or have annoying coaching staff. They are usually respectful and humble opponents.”

Christopher Uranga

“They’re a difficult opponent to test ourselves and (for the most part) they play fairly.”

Benjamin Uranga

“It’s always a battle with them.”

Sebastian Ramirez

Favorite Win- Club ATLetic

Potros FC faced off against Club ATLetic on May 1, 2021 and where coming off a 3-0 loss against Seas Jamaica United. From the start of the game you could tell that there was something different about the team, they weren’t playing as individuals trying to win, they were playing as a team that was trying to win. Their energy was different, they were playing like the trust in each other had set in, and that definitely translated on the field and in the result. Potros won this game 2-0.

“It was some of the best soccer the team played.”

Osvaldo Franco

“We dominated and controlled the game. We had 60%+ possession, we scored our goals and did not allow the opponent too many chances.”

Marc Bineau

“Arguably our best game of the season!!!”

Sebastian Ramirez

Favorite Goal Celebration

Augusto Del Rio, Gabriel Koziel Do Carmo, Manuel Carrillo, and Marc Bineau vs Rovers FC

Potros FC played against Rovers FC on April 17, 2021, where midfielder Augusto Del Rio scored two amazing goals that led Potros to their third win of the season. He and his teammates collaborated on his goal celebration which was undoubtedly entertaining.

Favorite Teammate- Sebastian Ramirez

Not everyone is a people person or is welcoming to others, however Sebas is. He won this category because his teammates believe him to be nice, funny, uplifting, and an overall good person. He is very vocal on the field and always expresses his gratitude for the rest of the team, his words of motivation bring reassurance and security to them as well.

“We have a lot of chemistry from playing together in the past.”

Benjamin Uranga

“He’s goofy, but he’s a very solid and reliable player.”

Carlos Guerrero

“We’ve been playing together for a long time now and I feel like we have a good connection on the field.”

Jorge Lopez

Thank you Potros FC for an exciting Spring 2021 season! For those who are no longer with the team it was nice getting to meet everyone. And for those who are still wear the Potros badge with pride, I can’t wait to document more memories with y’all. #vamospotros #upsl #upslgeorgia