KINGS MAKE HISTORY WITH INAUGURAL PLAYOFF BERTH

Savannah, GA – Coastal Kings FC wrote a new chapter in Savannah soccer history on Saturday night, storming back from two goals down to defeat regional rivals Charleston United SC 3–2 and clinch a spot in the UPSL Mid-Atlantic playoffs in their inaugural season.

Awarded a UPSL Premier franchise earlier this year and launched as Savannah’s newest semi-professional club, the Kings have quickly gone from announcement to contender, playing their home matches at Calvary Day School’s Specialty Sports Complex Stadium. With the victory, Coastal Kings lock up fourth place in the UPSL Mid-Atlantic South Division on 16 points, securing one of the conference’s coveted playoff spots and finishing behind only perennial powers Soda City FC, SCU Heat and Charleston United in the final table.

In a region where established professional neighbors South Georgia Tormenta FC and Savannah Clovers FC both missed the postseason in their respective inaugural league campaigns at the USL League One and NISA levels, the Kings’ first-year playoff qualification stands out as a rare achievement for an expansion side in southern Georgia.

From 0–2 Down to 3–2 Up

The night could hardly have started worse for the hosts. Charleston United struck first inside five minutes with a candidate for goal of the season; a thunderous, first-time volley from 25 yards that rocketed into the top corner and stunned the home crowd. Midway through the first half, the visitors doubled their advantage from the penalty spot after a controversial decision from the center referee. The finish made it 0–2 and put the Kings’ playoff dream on the brink.Rather than fold, Coastal Kings responded with an all-out attacking surge. They rattled the woodwork twice and pinned Charleston deep, finally breaking through just before halftime. On the cusp of the interval, Zack Hargreaves slipped a perfectly weighted ball in behind the back line to John “JC” Mactutus, who timed his run to perfection and netted a cheeky finish past the goalkeeper to cut the deficit in half. The goal sent the Kings into the locker room down 1–2 but very much alive.
Second-Half Surge and a Stadium Erupts

Riding that late first-half momentum, the Kings came out flying after the break. Wave after wave of pressure pushed Charleston deeper, with Coastal controlling possession and territory as the minutes ticked away.
The equalizer felt inevitable, and when it arrived, it came from a now-familiar connection. Hargreaves delivered a driven ball into the box and Chris Comber launched himself forward, meeting it with a diving header that crashed into the net for 2–2. The stadium erupted as Comber wheeled as his teammates swarmed him.

From there, the energy inside Specialty Sports Complex Stadium was electric. It didn’t take much for the voice of the Kings, “Diamond” Dave Gibson, to turn the volume up even further, rallying the home crowd behind every tackle and transition.

With ten minutes left in regulation, the breakthrough that would define the night arrived. Awarded a direct free kick just outside the top of the box, Hargreaves stepped up and slid a low strike past Charleston’s towering goalkeeper and inside the far post. The finish gave the Kings their first lead of the match at 3–2 and sent the home bench into chaos.

Final Whistle and a First-Ever Playoff Ticket

Charleston pushed numbers forward in the closing minutes, desperately chasing an equalizer that never came. The Kings stayed composed, winning key second balls, clearing their lines when needed, and managing the clock like a seasoned playoff side. When the referee’s final whistle finally cut through the noise, players poured onto the pitch in celebration; embracing, dropping to their knees, and saluting the home supporters who had ridden every moment of the comeback with them.

For a club that only announced its UPSL franchise earlier this year and is competing in its very first league campaign, reaching the postseason in year one is an achievement that underscores the strength of the project on and off the field.

Coach’s Note

Head Coach David Koebler kept his pregame message simple. “Prior to kick off I pulled the boys in and we had a short chat. Nothing inspirational,” Koebler said. “I told them, ‘Well boys, we know what tonight is about. We know how the outcome of this game affects tomorrow. We’re here to do a job. It comes down to two things: outworking the other team and putting the ball in the back of the net more times than they do.’
“The boys knew the assignment. They went out there and left it all on the field, and the result was in our favor. We’re thankful for the fans who came out to support us and for the volunteers who help us with game-day operations. Nights like this belong to all of them too.”

Next Up: Playoffs in Charlotte

With the comeback win securing fourth place in the Mid-Atlantic South, Coastal Kings FC now turn their focus north to Charlotte for the first round of the UPSL Mid-Atlantic playoffs. Their opponent: Pro-Finish Management FC, champions of the Mid-Atlantic North, who finished the regular season with an 8–1–1 record, 33 goals scored and just 9 conceded. Premier

It will be the first-ever postseason match in Kings history, a fitting next step for Savannah’s newest club after a historic night under the lights.