Maryland Majors Week 8 Recap

Top Matches of Week 8

Division 1: There was no one match that stood out but the over all weekend was full of drama for division one. Both bottom teams faced off and Academy FC came out with all three points. Christos and Steel Pulse keep high flighting forms.

Division 2: Colombia FC vs Dream Team FC: The 9-goal thriller! This was a match I highlighted on last week’s preview, and did it deliver! These two high possession teams found plenty of opportunities to find the back of the net.

Week 8 Results

Division 1

Christos FC 3 – 0 All Stars United

Academy FC 1 – 0 Columbia FC

Steel Pulse FC 4 – 0 La Dolce Vita

World Class Premier 2 – 0 Maryland International

Division 2

North

Baltimore Kickers 5 – 0 Blue Side FC

JA Raiders FC 1 – 0 Robbie’s FC

AFC Dobes 3 – 1 IFK Maryland

South

Colombia FC 5 – 4 Dream Team FC

Motorik FC ALX 1 – 0 Limitless FC

Meade United 2 – 2 Rockville SC

Effect on the tables:

D1 Group A: No Movement, defending champions still lead the pack.

D1 Group B: Christos FC continue with their undefeated run, WCP back in second. That leaves La Dolce Vita and Columbia FC in 3rd and 4th respectively.

D2 North: The Kickers keep form and stay in 1st place. With the results, no changes to the table, aside from JA Raiders taking 3rd and Blue Side dropping to 4th.

D2 South: The three-horse race sees some changes again. Motorik is now on top, for the first time this season. Colombia having played one game more, with a tie giving them 2nd place, leaving Dream Team in 3rd with one game more to be played. The rest of the table, with no movement.

Division 1 Standings

Group A

1.Steel Pulse FC 4-0-3

2.All Stars United 3-2-3

3.MD Inter 2-4-2

4.Academy FC 2-5-1

Group B

Christos FC 6-0-0

World Class 3-3-1

La Dolce Vita 3-5-0

Columbia FC 1-5-2

Division 2 Standings

North

Kickers 6-0-2

AFC Dobes 4-0-4

JA Raiders 4-2-2

Blue Side FC 4-4-0

IFK Maryland 2-6-0

Robbie’s FC 0-8-0

South

Motorik FC 5-3-0

Colombia FC 4-3-1

Dream Team 4-3-0

Meade United 2-2-4

Rockville SC 2-2-3

Limitless FC 1-5-2

-Geovanny Monterroso

Head over to league website to learn more: https://marylandmajorsoccer.com

The Kings of Columbia

Sometime around noon on Monday, July 22, 2019 Columbia FC broke the news that they had been promoted. In the Fall of 2019, we will see Columbia FC play in Maryland Majors Division 1. The feeling of joy and pride could be felt on every post on the #CFCMD social media pages.

This promotion come to a side who has consistently been a top performer and a contender in all three of their seasons. Columbia FC joined the league in the Spring of 2018. Since then, they have qualified for the Division 2 promotion playoffs each season. In the spring of 2018, they lost in the semifinals against Super Delegates FC. In the Fall of 2018 they lost against Steel Pulse FC. Then, in the Spring of 2019, they lost against Maryland International. Columbia FC has never finished below the top three. With that sort of consistent excellence, it was only a matter of time until the promotion of the Howard County powerhouse would come to fruition.

Coach Tolentino has been massively successful with Columbia FC.

Under Head Coach Carlos Tolentino, Columbia FC has an impressive MMSL all-time record of 23-9-4. Their best season was the Fall of 2018 when they would end the season with a mighty 10-2-0 record. However, a new challenge awaits coach Carlos and his boys: Division 1 of the Maryland Majors.

When speaking to Coach Carlos about his promotion, I could see the joy and feel the passion in the words he spoke, and now there is a new focus for Columbia FC. In a brief interview, Coach Tolentino shared his insight on the new promotion:

How does this promotion change the team’s offseason? What is the new goal for the team?

“The offseason changes because now we need to focus on bringing up the level, we don’t just want to be in D1, we want to win the title. There are so many great teams in D1 and it will take a lot of work but with the talent we have, and the new talent set to join us in the offseason; we know we can do it.”

What message do you want to send to the players?

“The message is that we have to work harder. We need to remind everyone and show everyone why we earned this promotion. The part of the message that doesn’t change is we are here to win titles. We fight and never give up.”

How are the players taking the promotion?

“The players are super pumped. They understand the importance of this achievement. They know all the work it took to get here. Now we are ready to go all out. That’s the only way we know how to”.

Tolentino’s passion for progress comes through in every word. The team is united and ready to take on whatever is heading their way. One thing is for sure, the team and staff are full behind Coach Carlos and for good reason.

We also got a chance to speak to 1st Captain Jose Rech Origaen, a former Catonsville F.C. player. He has had experience playing in D1 of the MMSL. Jose knows what it takes to succeed, but he can speak for himself on that subject:

What does this promotion mean to you personal and as the team Captain?

“It literally means everything. I was originally in D1 with Catonsville F.C with a few other teammates. we merged with an Academy and it didn’t work out. So, the majority of the team left and sought out a new Club that was forming. Which was Columbia F.C. Since we knew each other for a few years now that core became the core of Columbia and since then we’ve grown exponentially. In the year and a half of competing, we’ve reached 1 semifinal lost against the champion and then reached two finals back to back. So, we’re an established team. What we were lacking was luck. Couldn’t get those opportunities in. We matched every single team head to head. Being in D1 as a Captain now I have to commit 1000% as I have to represent our colors. I’m so happy to be back on top of MMSL”.

What message do you want to deliver to your teammates?

“My message to our teammates is to know that you worked your butts off for this. Playing in cold rainy finals, 100-degree heat against players that were faster and stronger than us. we know what it’s like to endure! We’re always the underdog and there is nothing better than knowing how to get back up and that’s what we did after each and every lesson we’ve had to learn”.

Another of Columbia’s captains is Christian Garrido. He is the 2nd captain for Columbia FC, here is what he had to say:

How does this promotion change the fall season for you and the team?

“It will change in all ways. Players and staff are even more motivated to reach our new goals. Now is our moment to show what's is Columbia fc ready for. We will face great teams like Christos and Steele Pulse. So, our commitment is to be there in the top in this coming season”.

What does this promotion mean to you personally?

“Wow. It means a lot. All the hard work and training. From the beginning our goals is to be in D1. We work for it, we fought for it and now we are in it. It Makes me feel proud of my teammates and staff. Because every game we fought with all and this is the result of our hard work”.

Both captains are ready and excited to lead their team in the upcoming D1 fall season. We are expecting a good show Columbia FC.

– Hector Monterroso

Maryland Majors to Announce Expansion

This past Sunday was full of mixed emotions for Maryland soccer. As FC Baltimore Christos was losing to NY Cosmos, the new teams of the division one Maryland Majors were finding out about their promotion. MMSL will be making the official announcement of their expansion to an 8 team first division later this week. For many this may not seem like a big deal, but to the grassroots soccer fans and advocates of promotion/relegation this is a huge deal. In a state league that is pushing to grow and has pro/rel in its core, this is a really huge deal.

Last season the MMSL played with a first division made up of only six teams. The teams who played in D1 were Christos FC, Izee Auto FC, World Class Premier reserves, Super Delegates FC, Academy FC, and, the winners of the spring 2019 season, Steel Pulse FC. However, the inclusion of two other teams would bring some interesting changes to the first division.

There is so much left to learn about this expansion. One thing is for sure, two teams aside from Maryland International will be promoted. In a conversation with deputy commissioner Nigel Fullerton, he explained that “the two teams that are being promoted from division two will be Columbia FC and All Star United.” Personally, adding teams straight into the first division would have been an injustice to the teams who have been in the second division and have been preforming season after season. This was the best decision for the league to take. Promoting the top performer from last season to D1 and add teams to the lower divisions will do two things: one, it will make sure that the level of competition is maintained and two, the league stays true to the teams who have been/still are members.

Though this is an expansion for division one, this is also good new for Division Two. This opens the possibility to add teams to both North and South Division Two. Now, there is no confirmation as to what will happen to D2, but it is fun to speculate about the possibilities. It would be great to see MMSL add more teams from Virginia or even expand into Delaware. If MMSL chooses to stay in Maryland there are plenty of teams to add from the DC-Baltimore region. Other areas that would offer some great additions are Annapolis or Anne Arundel County. There is plenty of talent left to be discovered in Maryland’s counties.

The other change that will be announced is the amount of games that will be played in the new 8 team D1. At first glance, one assumes that they will increase the game count from 10 to 14. This would allow the league to keep to the home/away matches. Also giving the teams more playing time to prepare for the tournaments that come right after the fall season.

However, in the conversation with Fullerton, he would go into detail on how the new D1 would be set up. When asked how the D1 would look like he responded, “the eight teams would be spilt into two conferences with a total of ten games to be played. Six games in-conference and four games out of conference.” This is still a very viable system as it will allow for teams to travel less and still have some exposure to teams in other zones of the MMSL.

The 8 teams confirmed for D1 are Christos FC, Izee Autobody FC, World Class Premier, Steel Pulse FC, Maryland International, Columbia FC, All Star United, and Academy FC. Let’s speculate on the potential setup of D1:

South: Columbia FC, All Star United, Christos FC, and World Class Premier

North: Izee Autobody FC, Steel Pulse FC, Maryland International, and Academy FC

This is assuming these conferences are set up based on location. If this is true, the conference which would be based off the southern region would be considered the group of death. Regardless of the conferences and the team that make them up, D1 of the MMSL is going to be a league to watch this fall. With matches such as a Christos FC vs Steel Pulse FC rematch or a Columbia FC vs Maryland International rematch or a All Star United vs World Class Premier match, D1 will be on another level this coming season!

Who do you have winning the Championship?

- Hector Monterroso