Mississippi Brilla
Encyclopedia
Mississippi Brilla is an American soccer club based in Jackson, Mississippi
, United States
. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference.
The team plays its home games at Harper Davis Stadium, where they have played since 2010. The team's colors are pale blue, dark blue and white.
Brilla is associated with Brilla Soccer Ministries, an organization which undertakes sports ministry
to share Christianity
through the sport. The club’s name is derived from the Spanish
word for "shine", and references the biblical passage Matthew
5:16 which says "Therefore, let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Although the club initially struggled in the middle of their conference strandings, Brilla have recently become one of the strongest PDL franchises in the Southeast
on the pitch, winning the conference regular season title every season since 2009. In 2011, the club had their best showing in the playoffs, reaching the conference finals.
since the demise of the Jackson Chargers
in 1999. Under head coach Dave Dixon, Brilla tied their first game 1-1 at home to New Orleans Shell Shockers
in front of over 1,000 fans (with the honor of the first goal in franchise history going to James Gledhill), and although the average attendance remained high throughout the season, the on-field results were not quite as impressive. Brilla won their first game next time out, 1-0 over DFW Tornados
, but then failed to register a victory in their next four games. In the end, too many ties caused Brilla's downfall - 5 on the season - and despite some impressive results, including a 5-1 hammering of Baton Rouge Capitals
in June and 5-0 demolition of Nashville Metros
in July, it was not quite enough to make the playoffs, and they eventually finished their freshman year fourth behind divisional (and eventual national) champions Laredo Heat
. James Gledhill was the team's top scorer, with six goals, while Chris Rash and Tripp Harkins leds the assists stats with three apiece.
Brilla's second season in the PDL was pretty much on an equal footing with their first. With new head coach Steve DeCou at the helm, attendances remained high, often topping 900 fans per game, and the team enjoyed a number of exciting victories, including a hard-fought 2-0 win over the eventual divisional champions Austin Aztex U23
, a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over New Orleans Shell Shockers
in mid-June, and a spectacular 6-2 final day victory at home against Houston Leones
in which Tripp Harkins scored a brace. As was the case in 2007, however, Brilla's downfall was a lack of consistency, and their inability to string a series of results together to gain momentum: their longest streak was a 5-game run in late June and early which included three wins and two ties, including the aforementioned victory over New Orleans. Mississippi ended the season in 4th place in the Mid South Division, just four points out of the playoffs, and with plenty to build on in 2009. Phillip Buffington
was the team's most prolific goalscorer, with 8 for the season.
2009 has seen Brilla's most successful start in team history. Brilla qualified for the U.S. Open Cup for the first time in franchise history by going undefeated in their first four games, winning three and drawing one. Debola Ogunseye
is currently the team's leading scorer with 4 goals.
Willie Hunt
David Lilly
Debola Ogunseye
Lucas Paulini
Kyle Segebart
Jackson, Mississippi
Jackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
, United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
. Founded in 2006, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League
USL Premier Development League
The USL Premier Development League is the amateur league of the United Soccer Leagues in the United States, Canada, and Bermuda, forming part of the American Soccer Pyramid...
(PDL), the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid
American Soccer Pyramid
The United States soccer pyramid is a term used in soccer to describe the structure of the league system in the United States. The country's governing body for the sport, the United States Soccer Federation , oversees the system but does not operate any of its component leagues—with one temporary...
, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference.
The team plays its home games at Harper Davis Stadium, where they have played since 2010. The team's colors are pale blue, dark blue and white.
Brilla is associated with Brilla Soccer Ministries, an organization which undertakes sports ministry
Sports ministry
A Sports Ministry is any competitive or non-competitive "activity that takes place during leisure time with the stated purpose or intention of helping people become aware of their need for a relationship with God, his daily role in their lives and their place in his kingdom work." Sport is an...
to share Christianity
Christianity
Christianity is a monotheistic religion based on the life and teachings of Jesus as presented in canonical gospels and other New Testament writings...
through the sport. The club’s name is derived from the Spanish
Spanish language
Spanish , also known as Castilian , is a Romance language in the Ibero-Romance group that evolved from several languages and dialects in central-northern Iberia around the 9th century and gradually spread with the expansion of the Kingdom of Castile into central and southern Iberia during the...
word for "shine", and references the biblical passage Matthew
Gospel of Matthew
The Gospel According to Matthew is one of the four canonical gospels, one of the three synoptic gospels, and the first book of the New Testament. It tells of the life, ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus of Nazareth...
5:16 which says "Therefore, let your light so shine before men that they may see your good works and glorify your Father who is in heaven."
Although the club initially struggled in the middle of their conference strandings, Brilla have recently become one of the strongest PDL franchises in the Southeast
Southeastern United States
The Southeastern United States, colloquially referred to as the Southeast, is the eastern portion of the Southern United States. It is one of the most populous regions in the United States of America....
on the pitch, winning the conference regular season title every season since 2009. In 2011, the club had their best showing in the playoffs, reaching the conference finals.
History
Mississippi Brilla entered the PDL in 2007 to a great deal of fanfare, as the first soccer franchise in MississippiMississippi
Mississippi is a U.S. state located in the Southern United States. Jackson is the state capital and largest city. The name of the state derives from the Mississippi River, which flows along its western boundary, whose name comes from the Ojibwe word misi-ziibi...
since the demise of the Jackson Chargers
Jackson Chargers
The Jackson Chargers were an American soccer team which played in the PDL....
in 1999. Under head coach Dave Dixon, Brilla tied their first game 1-1 at home to New Orleans Shell Shockers
New Orleans Shell Shockers
New Orleans Jesters is an American soccer team based in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference.The team plays its home games...
in front of over 1,000 fans (with the honor of the first goal in franchise history going to James Gledhill), and although the average attendance remained high throughout the season, the on-field results were not quite as impressive. Brilla won their first game next time out, 1-0 over DFW Tornados
DFW Tornados
DFW Tornados was an American soccer team based in Dallas, Texas, United States. Founded in 1986, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference...
, but then failed to register a victory in their next four games. In the end, too many ties caused Brilla's downfall - 5 on the season - and despite some impressive results, including a 5-1 hammering of Baton Rouge Capitals
Baton Rouge Capitals
Baton Rouge Capitals is an American soccer team based in Baton Rouge, Louisiana, United States. Founded in 2007, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference.The team plays its home games...
in June and 5-0 demolition of Nashville Metros
Nashville Metros
Nashville Metros is an American soccer team based in Nashville, Tennessee, United States. Founded in 1989, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Southeast Division of the Southern Conference...
in July, it was not quite enough to make the playoffs, and they eventually finished their freshman year fourth behind divisional (and eventual national) champions Laredo Heat
Laredo Heat
Laredo Heat is an American soccer team based in Laredo, Texas, United States. Founded in 2004, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference....
. James Gledhill was the team's top scorer, with six goals, while Chris Rash and Tripp Harkins leds the assists stats with three apiece.
Brilla's second season in the PDL was pretty much on an equal footing with their first. With new head coach Steve DeCou at the helm, attendances remained high, often topping 900 fans per game, and the team enjoyed a number of exciting victories, including a hard-fought 2-0 win over the eventual divisional champions Austin Aztex U23
Austin Aztex U23
Austin Aztex U23 was an American soccer team based in Round Rock, Texas, United States. Founded in 2007, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, until 2009, after which the franchise folded and the team left the league.The team played...
, a 2-1 come-from-behind victory over New Orleans Shell Shockers
New Orleans Shell Shockers
New Orleans Jesters is an American soccer team based in New Orleans, Louisiana, United States. Founded in 2003, the team plays in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference.The team plays its home games...
in mid-June, and a spectacular 6-2 final day victory at home against Houston Leones
Houston Leones
Houston Leones was an American soccer team based in Houston, Texas, United States. Founded in 2007, the team played in the USL Premier Development League , the fourth tier of the American Soccer Pyramid, in the Mid South Division of the Southern Conference...
in which Tripp Harkins scored a brace. As was the case in 2007, however, Brilla's downfall was a lack of consistency, and their inability to string a series of results together to gain momentum: their longest streak was a 5-game run in late June and early which included three wins and two ties, including the aforementioned victory over New Orleans. Mississippi ended the season in 4th place in the Mid South Division, just four points out of the playoffs, and with plenty to build on in 2009. Phillip Buffington
Phillip Buffington
Phillip Buffington is an American soccer player who is retired from soccer.-College:Buffington attended Jackson Preparatory School and played one year of college soccer at Marshall University before transferring to Mississippi College as a sophomore...
was the team's most prolific goalscorer, with 8 for the season.
2009 has seen Brilla's most successful start in team history. Brilla qualified for the U.S. Open Cup for the first time in franchise history by going undefeated in their first four games, winning three and drawing one. Debola Ogunseye
Debola Ogunseye
Debola Ogunseye is a Nigerian footballer who currently plays for TKİ Tavşanlı Linyitspor in the Turkish TFF First League.-College and Amateur:...
is currently the team's leading scorer with 4 goals.
Current roster
As of June 8, 2011.Notable former players
This list of notable former players comprises players who went on to play professional soccer after playing for the team in the Premier Development League, or those who previously played professionally before joining the team.Willie Hunt
Willie Hunt
Willie Hunt is an American soccer player currently playing for Atlanta Silverbacks in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur:...
David Lilly
David Lilly
David Lilly is a Scottish footballer who played in the United Soccer Leagues.-College and Amateur:Lilly attended Milligan College which played in the NAIA Appalachian Athletic Conference . He was the AAC Player of the Year in 2005. In 2006, he was both the Conference and Regional Player of the...
Debola Ogunseye
Debola Ogunseye
Debola Ogunseye is a Nigerian footballer who currently plays for TKİ Tavşanlı Linyitspor in the Turkish TFF First League.-College and Amateur:...
Lucas Paulini
Lucas Paulini
Lucas Paulini is an Argentine footballer currently playing for Atlanta Silverbacks in the North American Soccer League.-College and Amateur:...
Kyle Segebart
Kyle Segebart
Kyle Segebart is an American soccer player, currently playing for Dayton Dutch Lions in the USL Professional Division.-Youth and Amateur:...
Year-by-year
| Year | Division | League | Regular Season | Playoffs | Open Cup |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2007 | 4 | USL PDL | 4th, Mid South | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2008 | 4 | USL PDL | 4th, Mid South | Did not qualify | Did not qualify |
| 2009 | 4 | USL PDL | 1st, Southeast | Divisional Finals | 1st Round |
| 2010 | 4 | USL PDL | 1st, Southeast | Conference Semifinals | Did not qualify |
| 2011 | 4 | USL PDL | 1st, Southeast | Conference Finals | Did not qualify |
Honors
- USL PDL Southeast Division Champions 2011
- USL PDL Southeast Division Champions 2010
- USL PDL Southeast Division Champions 2009
Stadia
- Robert P. Longabaugh Field; Clinton, MississippiClinton, MississippiClinton is a city in Hinds County, Mississippi, United States. Situated in the Jackson metropolitan area, it is the tenth largest city in Mississippi. The population was 23,347 at the 2000 United States Census.-History:...
(2007-2009) - Harper Davis Stadium; Jackson, MississippiJackson, MississippiJackson is the capital and the most populous city of the US state of Mississippi. It is one of two county seats of Hinds County ,. The population of the city declined from 184,256 at the 2000 census to 173,514 at the 2010 census...
(2007, 2010-present) - M&F Bank Stadium (Freedom Ridge Park); Ridgeland, MississippiRidgeland, MississippiRidgeland is a city in Madison County, Mississippi, United States. The population was 20,173 at the 2000 census. It is part of the Jackson Metropolitan Statistical Area.-Geography:...
2 games (2008-2009) - Arrow Field at Clinton High SchoolClinton High School (Clinton, Mississippi)Clinton High School is a secondary school located in Clinton, Mississippi.-Administration :Superintendent: Dr. Phllip G. BurchfieldPrincipal: Dr. Eddie J...
; Clinton, MississippiClinton, MississippiClinton is a city in Hinds County, Mississippi, United States. Situated in the Jackson metropolitan area, it is the tenth largest city in Mississippi. The population was 23,347 at the 2000 United States Census.-History:...
3 games (2008-2010)
Average attendance
Attendance stats are calculated by averaging each team's self-reported home attendances from the historical match archive at http://www.uslsoccer.com/history/index_E.html.- 2007: 1,019 (6th in PDL)
- 2008: 935
- 2009: 852
- 2010: 671