Freelance photographer, Shawn Payne, took a trip to Loudoun to check out the Virginia Marauders hosting Loudoun United FC’s Second Team. He shared the photos with us and we decided to take a look around the Chesapeake Division of USL League 2.

The Game:

It was a sunny day in Loudoun County, Virginia on Wednesday - a high of 81 during the day, but it had cooled off and was not too humid at all by the time Marauders vs Loudoun United 2 kicked off at Segra field. This would be Marauders second home game of the season and just a few days after getting walloped 5-1 by division leaders Hill City FC.

Leland Gray and Matthew Martinez-Zelaya earned yellows within the first 20 minutes of kickoff and made life harder on themselves than necessary. Aaron Hurge took advantage of that and scored for Loudoun United 2 in the 24th minute - his third of the season, so far.

Osinachi Onwudiwe was sent off with a straight red just before the half and Loudoun started the second half up a goal, but down a man. Loic Ngnatho came on for Marauders after the second half had begun and earned himself a yellow card for his efforts. Mauraders made three more changes nearing the mid-point of the second half but could not make an impact. Despite the man advantage, Marauders gave up a second goal to seal their fate. Abdul Kamara, one of only two changes for Loudoun United 2 all night, made it 2-0 to win the game - Loudoun’s first, so far, in what has been a frustrating beginning to their season.

The Fallout:

Virginia Mauraders FC remain winless this season and are midway through an early season homestand. They play Christos FC at Segra Field on Sunday, June 7th - Christos are 2-2 and have been able to score 10 goals so far, but they have also given up 16 goals and if Marauders can get a result this weekend, things could turn around for them. Marauders face Patuxent FA, who are the only team below them in the table, after that and while it would be hard to sky-rocket up the Chesapeake Division table, they will be able to feel a lot better about themselves in training.

Loudoun United 2 started the season as a mixed bag, a wild loss to Christos to open the season, 4-5 and then soundly beaten on the road by newcomers Hill City FC, 4-1. They had an impressive draw away to NoVa but were shutout at home, 0-3, by Charlottesville Blues. So, the win “away” to Marauders… across the street from their own training field and in the stadium of their own first team, gives them hope. They have two very tough home games up next: first they host Lionsbridge this Sunday then they host Annapolis Blues the following Wednesday.

The Rest of the Chesapeake Division:

Hill City FC have 5 wins from 6 played and are thumping opponents - their only loss was a 0-1 home defeat to Charlottesville Blues; one which I suspect they will regret at the end of the season and playoff positions are being considered.
Virginia Beach United are unbeaten in 5 games - with two draws to start the season, but three wins in their last three. They take that momentum to Bethesda FC this Saturday then host Hill City FC on Wednesday, June 10th, in what will be a critical top of the table clash.
Lionsbridge FC, who finished second in the division last year, and won the division in 2024, are third right now - they’re tied with the most games played in the division, so far, winning 4, drawing 1, and losing 1. That one loss was away to Christos, but then thumped them 5-1 two weeks later. They have it in them to fight for their spot atop the division and head to Loudoun United 2 next - then have a three game homestand.
Charlottesville Blues FC are the other side who have played 6 games; three wins, two losses, and a draw. They have missed out on the playoffs for their first two years in the division and while its going to be tough to knock one of the clubs above them out of the way, if they just keep doing what they’re doing, they have a chance. That makes the home-and-away with NoVa over the next five days critical - they play on June 6th, then again on June 9th.
Northern Virginia FC lost just 1 game and drew three during the regular season last year on their way to winning the Chesapeake Division. Ultimately, they were knocked out by division rivals, Lionsbridge FC, when they met up in the Conference Semis. If they want to match that effort, they cannot afford to drop points to aforementioned Charlottesville Blues this week - NoVa have already lost on the road to Bethesda, drew twice, and have two wins. With a critical stretch of away games after their double-header with the Blues, these are the points they need to keep up with the upper half of the table.
Annapolis Blues FC are smack in the middle of the table with four played, two wins and two losses. They are tied with table toppers Hill City for fewest goals conceded so far but aren’t scoring at a prolific rate either, with just 5 netted. Despite starting strong with those two wins on the road, they have let their great fans down with back-to-back home losses. They host bottom of the table Patuxent this Saturday and owe it to the fans at the Navy-Marine Memorial Stadium some fireworks.
Christos FC started off strong, making life tough for Loudoun on the road, winning 5-4, then beating Lionsbridge FC at home, 2-1. But they were thumped on the road 4-0 to Virginia Beach United and then 5-1 in a revenge match for Lionsbridge FC. While Christos played Charlottesville Blues to a 2-2 draw last time out, they could really do well to earn three points away to Marauders this weekend before they go on an amazing four match homestand. The whole table could look differently in a few weeks time.
Bethesda FC are another newcomer to the division this year and have three points from three games played. They have a really tough opponent this week when Virginia Beach United visit them at Maureen Hendricks Field.
Loudoun United FC sit third from bottom after their win this week and have the two difficult home fixtures over the next week - vs Lionsbridge and vs Annapolis Blues.
Marauders FC face an uphill battle but have two winnable games at home vs Christos, first, then Patuxent on June 10th.
Patuxent Football Athletics finished last place in the division in 2025, second-bottom in 2024, second-bottom in 2023, same in 2022... and are dead last right now. I don’t see them turning this around anytime soon and go away to a very hungry Annapolis Blues this weekend. Maybe they can earn a draw away to Marauders but even Marauders will have this match circled on their calendars.

- by Josh Duder
photos by Shawn Payne