Last summer one of Gulf Coast United Futbol Club’s u-14 boys, Parker Simkins, trained and played in Esbjerg, Denmark, with the professional club, Esbjerg Fc.

Parker trained for 3 weeks before donning Esjberg's colors and went on to play 6 games for their u-14 team in the Nordic Invitational Cup, where he competed against professional youth teams from Finland, Spain, Norway and Denmark. This summer, he plans on returning to Esbjerg or Bremen, Germany for a year to attend school at one of the International Schools and train with one of the professional clubs.

Parker started playing select soccer at 8 years old with Gulf Coast United FC and has always come home to play with his friends and coaches at GCU no matter where his travels have taken him.

"The coaches at Gulf Coast United have patiently taught me how to play the game of soccer, and have always encouraged me to grow and improve, while my teammates drive me to be a better player," Parker said. "Despite being from Mississippi, it's my dream to play professionally, and I know some of my friends and teammates at GCU have the same dreams."

When asked how he thought he had improved over the years, Parker said, "my coaches, my teammates, and playing with my brothers and neighbors in our back yard, or down the street. Every day, I wake up striving to be the best version of myself that I can be."

Come be part of Gulf Coast United FC where the best coaches and players on the Mississippi Gulf Coast look to help your son or daughter be the best version of themselves they can be.

Tryouts for GCU:

June 9 & 11th at the Jackson County Soccer Complex in Gautier, 6:00-7:30 PM
2008 & Younger EAST Teams

June 13th & 14th at the Gulfport Sportsplex
2008 & Younger WEST Teams
2007-2002 Teams
Times TBA