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The inaugural season for LaGrange-based semi-pro Legends FC is off and underway but Saturday at 1 will be a true marker of how big of an impact the team has made on the community. The team will be hosting its first home game and is hoping to bring out a crowd.

“We are extremely excited to get the first home game and get the community out there,” club founder John Fuller said. “I think there is a lot of excitement in the community for it. Barring any weather setbacks I think it should be an exciting game.”

To see soccer grow in LaGrange to the point that the city can now sustain a semi-pro team is a dream come true for the players who grew up in the area.

“I never would have thought a city like LaGrange would have a semi-pro team,” Legends player Matt Moore said. “It is cool to see soccer grow in a lot of rural places.”

“It is crazy,” Legends player Jimmy Cancino said. “I never thought this would happen in LaGrange. I do think we are going to develop a lot more high-level soccer players here which is good for the community.”

Cancino and Moore both played high school soccer locally before departing to play college soccer. 

Both of these guys came back to the game after some time off. They showed up to tryouts with little more than a hop and a dream to make the team. Now, they are grateful for the opportunity to represent their city at a high level. 

“I didn’t think that I would make the team to be honest (laughs),” Cancino said. 

It is all coming to fruition. It has been a long way from tryouts to gametime. Long practices in Opelika and LaGrange are about to pay off. The first game did not go Legends way, but the team hopes to make Callaway Stadium a fortress. 

“Our goal is not to lose a game at home this season,” Moore said, “I think we can do it. The team we played has been together for a little bit, and honestly, I felt like we should have won.”

It starts on Saturday which is something the players have been looking for since making the team all the way back in the fall of last year. 

“This is what we have been looking forward to,” Moore said. “To play competitive soccer in LaGrange again is a real blessing that fell into my lap.”

Legends FC will play its opening home match at Callaway Stadium against Vinotinto Atlanta at 1 p.m. on Saturday. Kids wearing local parks and rec jerseys will be let in for free. Tickets will be sold at the gate for $8 apiece. 

“Word is getting around about our team and interest is spreading,” Cancino said. “I thought this was going to be like club soccer, but it has been so much more. I never expected to have signing day or release a beer (with Beacon Brewery). Word about the team is spreading fast.”