2008 MARYLAND CUPS SUMMARY

Stewart Cup - Quarterfinal Round
27 January - Woodbine, Maryland

Stewart Cup at Semifinal Stage

February brings National Cups

Maryland's amateur title down to final four. (27 January)  We started with 13 sides and are now down to 4 as we completed the quarterfinal round of the Stewart Cup, Maryland's amateur competition that was first played in 1931.  Hangover United won a PK shootout over Digital Phenom, Baltimore Colts edged Select FC, Towson Ice shutout Maryland Allyance FC while AC United easily defeated Nottingham FC.  The four will meet in the semifinals at a date to be determined.  Next Sunday, we start the U.S. Open Cup with a single match between Baltimore Bays 91 and Maryland Allyance FC.  We also play the reschedule Rowland Cup quarterfinals between Hangover United and Nottingham FC and Towson Ice and Platinum Kickers.  Keep an eye on this site for news and results of all of the MSSA cups.

US Open Cup - Quarterfinal Round
Rowland Cup - Quarterfinal Round
3 February - Woodbine, Maryland

Open Cup Kicks Off

Rowland Cup Played Too

Semifinals set for Open Cup qualifiers. (4 February) Maryland Allyance FC and Baltimore Bays 91 got the U.S. Open Cup qualifiers started as the two teams met for the only quarterfinal match among the five participants.  Allyance beat the Bays 4-1 to advance to the semifinal round against Select FC.  The other semifinal pits AC United against the Baltimore Colts FC.  Those semifinal games are scheduled to be played on 17 February.

Two Rowland Cup quarterfinals games were played this Sunday after the need to reschedule for an earlier snow postponment.  Hangover United moved on to the semifinals, easily handling Nottingham FC 6-1, while Towson Ice disposed Platinum Kickers 3-0.  Wednesday night, the Baltimore Colts host Select FC at Rockburn Park while the other quarterfinal match between AC United and Maryland Allyance has yet to be scheduled.

Next Sunday, we get the ball rolling on the qualifiers for the U.S. Amateur Cup.  The results and schedules are listed at the links below.  Keep an eye on this site for news and results of all of the MSSA cups.

US Amateur Cup - Quarterfinal Round
10 & 13 February - Woodbine & Ellicott City, Maryland

Final Four

Amateur & Open Down to the Semi's

United & Colts set to play doubleheader in two national cups. (13 February) On Sunday, the Baltimore Bays 91 and Platinum Kickers made it through one bracket of the semifinal stage of the Maryland qualifier of the U.S. Amateur Cup.  Tonight, it was AC United and the Baltimore Colts FC for the other side of the bracket with the two clubs already scheduled to play each other this Sunday in the Open Cup semifinal. 

United defeated Maryland Allyance FC 3-1 in their quarterfinal match while at the adjacent field at Rockburn Park, the Colts took care of Select FC with 6-3 score.  Earlier this week, the Bays swept away Towson Ice 5-0 while the Kickers easily handled Comcast Mundo 7-2.  The semifinals will be played at Cedar Lane Park on 24 February.

This Sunday, we have the U.S. Open Cup semifinal at Western Regional Park, starting with United and the Colts, followed by Allyance and Select.  The first match kicks off at 11:00.  The results and schedules are listed at the links below.  Keep an eye on this site for news and results of all of the MSSA cups.

US Open Cup - Semifinal Round
17 February - Woodbine, Maryland

Maryland Open Final Set

Allyance & Colts to Play in Final

The winner will qualify to represent Maryland in Region I qualifiers. (18 February) The Maryland Open Cup qualifiers is down to the final as the Baltimore Colts FC defeated AC United 1-0, while Maryland Allyance FC eliminated Select FC 5-2.  The two sides will meet on 2 March to determine who advances to the regional stage.

Bill Rinehardt scored a hattrick for Allyance while his teammate Andre Bishop added a brace.  The Colts edged United with a goal from Kyle Sterling in the 14th minute.

US Amateur Cup - Semifinal Round
24 February - Columbia, Maryland

US Amateur Final

Colts to Take on Bays 91

But first, the Colts to play Allyance this Sunday for the Open Cup berth. (25 February)  The Baltimore Colts FC have made it to their second Maryland final of the national cup qualifiers when they defeated AC United in the semifinal of the US Amateur Cup.  The two sides met for the second week in a row for the semifinal stage of the qualifiers with the Colts edging out United the previous week in the Open Cup 1-0.  Kyle Sterling scored again for the Colts with the Guil Costa adding to the tally.  In the second leg of the semifinal doubleheader, Marvin Desormeaux put in a direct kick in stoppage time to put the match between Platinum Kickers and Baltimore Bays 91 into overtime.  The Kickers scored first but the Bays answered with 3 goals to advance to the final.  The Colts and Bays will meet on 9 March to see who makes it through as the state's Amateur Cup representative to the Region.

The Colts will play Maryland Allyance FC this Sunday for the US Open Cup qualifier.  The match is scheduled for 3:00 at the Maryland SoccerPlex, field number 19.  Later Sunday evening, United will meet against Towson Ice in the semifinal of the Stewart Cup.  The match will be played at Rockburn Park #5 at 6:30.

US Open Cup - Final
2 March - Boyds, Maryland

Colts Qualify for US Open Cup

Defeat Maryland Allyance FC 4-0

Colts will now play against Baltimore Bays 91 for the Amateur Cup spot. (3 March)  The Baltimore Colts FC advance to the USASA Region I round of the U.S. Open Cup after shutting out Maryland Allyance FC 4-0.  Two first half corner kicks by Mike Lotocki got the Colts rolling as Kyle Sterling headed put both kicks into the goal in the 21st and 30th minutes.  Bill Whittington made it 3-0 on an assist from Guil Costa.  Lotocki had the last tally in the 41st minute to add to his two assists. 

The Colts play in the Amateur final next week against the Baltimore Bays 91.  The match will be played this Sunday at Rockburn Park at 6:30.  The winners of the Maryland qualifiers advance in the cups against Region I opponents, beginning in mid-April

In the Stewart Cup, AC United came back to beat Towson Ice 3-1 to advance to the final.  Luke Strutt, JC Cole and Joe Sladek scored for United.  They will await the winner of the other semifinal between the Colts and Hangover United, which will be scheduled next month. 

US Amateur Cup - Final
9 March - Ellicott City, Maryland

Colts Make it a Double

Win Against Bays Give Amateur Title

Colts will represent Maryland in Region I play in the Open & Amateur Cups. (14 March)  Team manager Frank Assaro led his side against the youthful Baltimore Bays 91 as the Baltimore Colts FC advance to the USASA Region I round of the U.S. Amateur Cup with a 2-1 victory.  Adam Hack connected twice with Assaro, the second goal on a header off of a corner kick to pace the Colts.  Matt Tyrie of the Bays cut the lead in half but the Colts held on to their lead for the entire second half to take the title.

The last national cup qualifier left in the state is the U.S. Over-30 Cup, which will be played between Maryland Allyance FC and Colts/Christos United.  It will take place on Sunday evening, 16 March, 6:30 at UMBC Stadium Field.  We ask anyone attending to not park behind the stadium field house as there is construction taking place.  Instead, park at Hilltop Circle.

We also will complete the second leg of the Stewart Cup semifinal with Hangover United hosting the Colts.  It will be played at Bonvegna Field, 11:00 on Sunday, 16 March.  The winner will meet AC United.  The results and schedules are listed at the links below.  Keep an eye on this site for news and results of all of the MSSA cups.

US Over-30 Cup - Final
9 March - Catonsville, Maryland
Stewart Cup - Final
9 March - Baltimore, Maryland

Christos/Colts United Take O-30

2-0 Shutout Against Maryland Allyance

Colts defeat Hangover United in Stewart Cup semifinal. (18 March)  The Christos/Colts United won the Over-30 showdown as it blanked Maryland Allyance FC with a goal from Pat Crawford and Mike Barger on Sunday night.  With the win, the team advances to the Region I qualifiers of the U.S. Over-30 Cup.

Earlier in the day, the Baltimore Colts FC faced Hangover United in the Stewart Cup semifinal.  Hangover took an early lead in the second minute but was unable to hold onto it as the Colts tied it in the first half.  In the second half, Ade Elliott, Guil Costa, Ben Pardew and Kyle Sterling put it away for the Colts with the final score being 5-2.  The Colts will meet AC United for Maryland's Amateur Cup competition that was first won by Stonewall DC in 1932. 

The Maryland qualifiers for the U.S. Cups are completed with the Baltimore Colts FC representing the state in the U.S. Open and Amateur Cups and Christos/Colts United in the U.S. Over-30 Cup.

Rowland Cup - Quarterfinal Round
30 March - Baltimore, Maryland

Colts & United Make Semi's

State Cups Down to Three Rounds

Stewart Cup final set, Rowland Cup to play semifinals next. (2 April)  The cup season is coming to a close as the Rowland Cup had its last two quarterfinal matches decided this past weekend.  The Baltimore Colts FC trounced Select FC 9-0 while AC United advanced over Maryland Allyance FC 1-0.  The Colts will take on league rival Hangover United in the first semifinal while United will play Towson Ice in the second match.  Both will be played at BonVegna Field on 13 April, starting at 11:00

Rowland Cup - Semifinal Round
13 April - Baltimore, Maryland

Rowland Final Set

Towson Ice vs. Baltimore Colts FC

Stewart Cup final to be played Sunday. (13 April)  Towson Ice needed penalty kick rounds to get there but the team goes to the final of the Rowland Cup where it will meet Baltimore Colts FC.  After playing to a 1-1 draw in regulation, Towson Ice advanced with a 4-1 penalty kick advantage against AC United.  The Colts had an easier time with a 5-1 over Hangover United.  The final is set for Sunday, 27 April with location and time to be determined.  The Rowland Cup dates back to 1914 and is Maryland's Open Cup.  The Colts and United play this Sunday for Maryland's Amateur Cup competition, the Stewart Cup, that was first won by Stonewall DC in 1932. 

Stewart Cup - Final
20 April - Baltimore, Maryland

Stewart Cup Final

Colts Make it a Hat Trick

Rowland Cup final is next. (22 April)  The Baltimore Colts FC took their third title this cup season defeating AC United 2-0 in the final of the Stewart Cup, Maryland's Amateur Competition.  This success follows that of the Maryland qualifiers of the U.S. Open Cup and the U.S. Amateur Cup, both of which the Colts will represent the state in the USASA Region I qualifiers.  The Stewart Cup was first won by Stonewall DC in 1932.

The last and final cup for the Colts in state competition is the Rowland Cup, Maryland's Open Competition.  The side will meet Towson Ice on Sunday at BonVegna Field, 10:00.  The Rowland Cup dates back to 1914 .

Rowland Cup - Final
27 April - Baltimore, Maryland

Colts Make it a Sweep

Win Rowland Cup

Colts move on to Region I qualifiers. (28 April)  The Baltimore Colts FC put their mark on the 2008 cup season, winning all four of the Maryland cup competitions as they trounced Towson Ice 5-0 in the Rowland Cup final.  Last week the team shut out AC United in the Stewart Cup and earlier this cup season took the Maryland qualifiers of the U.S. Open Cup and the U.S. Amateur Cup.  That makes it four-for-four.  Add to it that some of their players are part of the Christos/Colts United winner for the U.S. Over-30 Cup, maybe we should call it four-and-one-half.

Congratulations are in order to the Colts on such a fantastic cup season and as they concentrate on the USASA Region I qualifiers, we in Maryland hope that they continue their run.  The Rowland Cup is Maryland's oldest championship, first played in 1914 and is Maryland's open competition.  The Stewart Cup is the amateur competition that began in 1932.

The first part of the Maryland Cup season is complete and in record time as we finished before May.  It could not be done without the tireless effort of our Cup Commissioner, Fran McGrath.  Fran has been running these cups for several years and we in Maryland like to brag that we have one of the best cup programs throughout USASA.  And that is only accomplished through Fran's hard work.  We thank him as always for his dedication to our teams and we hope that they show their appreciation to him. 

Maryland qualifiers for the U.S. Cups are completed with the Baltimore Colts FC representing the state in the U.S. Open and Amateur Cups and Christos/Colts United in the U.S. Over-30 Cup.  The Colts meet the Aegean Hawks of DC-Virginia on Sunday, 4 May in the Open Cup.  The following week they travel to New Jersey to play the German American Kickers in the Amateur Cup.  In the O-30 Cup, Christos/Colts United will play the Kearny Scots of New Jersey on 18 May.

U.S. Open Cup - Quarterfinal - USASA Region I Qualifiers
4 May - Potomac, Maryland

Colts Edged Out by Hawks

DC/Virginia Side Advances to Semifinals

Colts will try again in the Amateur Cup. (5 May)  The Aegean Hawks (DC/Virginia) took advantage of a last minute penalty and saved one moments later to advance to the semifinals of the Region I qualifier of the US Open Cup at the expense of the Baltimore Colts FC.  It was the first time the two sides have met and the neighboring teams played a thriller.  The Hawks opened the scoring at the 10 minute mark with a free kick sent into the box that was headed by Carlos Garcia onto the path of Justin Bodiya, whose left-footed volley made it a 1-0 margin. The Hawks scored their second goal on the 30th minute off the individual effort of striker Anders Kelto.  The Colts came out strong in the second half, forcing the Hawks to defend their lead.  Around the 50th minute, Guil Costa made a run down the left flank and slotted a pass onto Bill Whittington who calmly put it away from about 10 yards out.  The two players connected again 20 minutes later as Costa found his teammate racing down the left side.  Whittington strode past a defender and placed an inch perfect shot to the keepers left low post to bring the match even at two goals apiece.  With momentum swinging each way for the next ten minutes, both sides saw close chances but were unable to capitalize on their attempts.  As the game was approaching the end, the referee signaled that there would be one minute of stoppage time and the teams were preparing for overtime.  Kelto made a move into the Colts penalty area and was taken down.  Garcia converted the penalty to give the Hawks the lead.  On the ensuing kick off, Andre Wise of the Colts reaches a long ball sent to the left and is taken down in the penalty area.  Costa took the penalty and placed it well only to have Hawks keeper Nick Carlin-Voigt make the perfect save. 

The Colts now head to New Jersey to meet the German American Kickers in the US Amateur Cup.  The Hawks are also in the Amateur Cup and will play the United German-Hungarians of Eastern Pennsylvania.  Perhaps the two will provide another exciting match in the US Amateur semifinals.

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