June 3, 2026
There is a game in every season that defines a team. For expansion side Legacy FC, that game was a Week Four trip to Biloxi, Miss. to face Gulf Coast United on Saturday. After going scoreless in its first two games, Legacy FC opened the floodgates banging in five straight goals against its longtime nemesis to earn Week Four SOMETHINGINKED Team of the Week honors.
Legacy FC Head Coach Edwin Reyes called his team's slow start in its opening two games “disappointing,”he acknowledges those games "provided valuable lessons and helped accelerate the team's development.”
In our third match against Gulf Coast United, we saw significant growth in our chemistry, communication, and overall team play, and I believe the scoreline reflected that progress.
Saturday was Legacy FC’s first victory over Gulf Coast United since the two clubs joined the WPSL in 2025. After playing to a 1-1 draw in Fort Walton Beach, Fla., Gulf Coast United ran away with the return match in Biloxi 4-1. The club finished the 2025 season 3-2-5—good four fourth place in the six-team Third Coast Division.
Change was the theme for Legacy FC in 2026. The club jettisoned its old name: Florida Roots. And with it, came a refreshed roster and new outlook.
“We have assembled a roster featuring players from different countries, colleges, clubs, and playing backgrounds. Bringing together athletes from around the world with varying styles of play and blending them with our local talent has required time, patience, and commitment from everyone involved,” Reyes said.
Saturday’s win was the manifestation of the club’s patience and hard work. Alliyah Rosales opened scoring in the 12th minute to put the visiting side up 1-0. Nellie Joelsson in the 19th minute to make it 2-0, followed by a goal by Gabby Stone three minutes later. The momentum carried over in the second half with an Emma Barry goal to make it 4-0 in the 55th minute, before Linn Joelsson scored in the 67th to make it 5-0.
The 4-0 lead proved to be tenuous against a very good Gulf Coast United Side. The hosts clawed back goals in the 70th, 82nd, and 83rd minutes before the resilient Legacy FC club could close out the match with an impressive 5-3 road win.
“We have been fortunate to build a roster with outstanding experience and leadership. Players like Salomé Deneubourg from France, Gabby Stone from Australia, Linn and Nellie Joelssan from Sweden, Molly Watters from England have brought tremendous quality and professionalism to our environment,” Reyes said.
Legacy FC is in action again Wednesday at Pensacola FC Academy and at home Saturday, versus Valdosta FC.
“We are proud of the progress we have made, but we know there is still a great deal of work ahead. This group has tremendous potential, and we are excited to see how far we can go together as the season continues,” Reyes said.
