Rowland Centennial
100th Competition of Maryland Open Cup
Online registration for 2014 Maryland Cup Season is open until 9 December. (26 October) The Maryland State Soccer Association will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Rowland Cup as it accepts entries for the upcoming cup season. The H.C.W. Rowland Challenge Cup is Maryland's oldest competition donated on the 1st of March in 1914 in the interest of Association Football. It is Maryland's Open Championship and the winner will represent the state in the US Open Cup.
Along with the Rowland, entries will be accepted for the Stewart Cup, the Maryland Over-30 Cup and the Morton Cup. The winners of the Stewart (US Amateur) & Maryland O-30 (US Over-30) Cups will compete in Region I qualifiers along with the Rowland winner. The Morton Cup is played in Maryland only.
The deadline to register is 9 December. Teams from MSSA affiliated leagues are eligible to enter any of the competitions. Non-affiliated teams may apply for the Maryland Over-30 and/or Morton Cup upon registration of their players with MSSA. Teams & players who take part in the Rowland or Stewart Cups are not eligible to play in the Morton Cup.
The games will kick off on 5 January. Not only does Maryland boast a rich history with its 100th edition of the Rowland Cup but the state has had numerous national championships. Our teams are encouraged to take part in these competitions.
MSSA Cup Draws Set
Includes 100th Edition of Rowland Cup
Morton Cup kicks off in January with Rowland & Stewart Cups later in the month. (19 December) The draws have been set for the 2014 MSSA Cups. This year, the Maryland State Soccer Association will celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Rowland Cup, our oldest competition. It is Maryland's Open Championship and 10 teams will vie to represent the state in the US Open Cup. In the Stewart Cup, Maryland's Amateur competition, we have 12 teams contesting to qualify for the Region I knockout in the US Amateur Cup. There are 7 sides playing for the Maryland Over-30 Cup, which has produced the last two US Over-30 Cup champion, Christos FC. For teams not competing in the Rowland or Stewart Cups, the Morton Cup goes into its second year with 16 teams entered in this Maryland only competition.
It all kicks off on 5 January with the Morton Cup. The top two winners among each of the four groups advance to quarterfinals. Later in the month, we have first round matches in the Rowland & Stewart Cups. The schedules are listed below. Maryland boasts a rich US soccer history with the 100th edition of the Rowland Cup and numerous national champions in the USASA National Cups.
Morton Cup Delayed
Grounds Still Unplayable
First match day to be rescheduled. (4 January) Thursday's snow fall that hit the area has delayed the start of the 2014 MSSA Cup season as the pitches are still covered. All games scheduled for Sunday, 5 January will be rescheduled to 26 January. We will see if the lone mid-week match for this first group day may get played. The 2nd & 3rd group match days will be played as scheduled.
The cup schedules are listed below. Keep an eye on this site for updates. You can also follow us on Twitter @marylandsoccer. Maryland boasts a rich US soccer history with the 100th edition of the Rowland Cup and numerous national champions among the USASA National Cups.
Morton Cup - Group Stage - Match Day 2
12 January - Columbia, Hyattsville & Silver Spring, Maryland
Morton Gets Played
Rowland & Stewart to Kick Off
Busy cup Sunday with three competitions going. (15 January) The start of 2014 tested our patience but we had a good round this past Sunday with all four groups completing match play in the Morton Cup. This weekend we play all 8 Morton Cup matches while adding first round games in the Rowland & Stewart Cups. Teams in the Rowland (Open) & Stewart (Amateur) Cups are competing to qualify for the USASA Region I rounds in the national cups. The Rowland & Stewart Cups are in a knockout format with the winners advancing to the next round. Catch all of the action at Blandair Park & Long Reach HS in Columbia, Heurich Turf Field in Hyattsville, Montgomery Blair HS in Silver Spring & Western Regional Park in Woodbine.
Morton Cup - Group Stage - Match Day 3
Rowland & Stewart Cups - First Round
19 January - Woodbine, Columbia, Hyattsville & Silver Spring, Maryland
Super Cups Sunday
Rowland, Stewart & Morton Cups Results
Good day as Maryland gets all 13 cups matches among the three competitions played. (20 January) The Centennial Anniversary of the Rowland Cup kicked off with two first round games played this past Sunday. We had a 3:3 draw between Washington Elite FC & Pipeline SC but Elite outscored their opponent 3 to 1 in extra time to advance. The other match saw Baltimore Kickers Bayern defeat Malawi FC 3:1. The quarterfinals are set for this Sunday at Blandair Park. The winner of the Rowland Cup will move onto the Region I qualifiers of the US Open Cup.
We also started knockout matches in the Stewart Cup to determine Maryland's US Amateur Cup representative. Defending champion Maryland Bays picked up where they left off last season with a 9:0 trashing of Academy FC. Christos FC eliminated Kamikaze Crew 2:1, ASA Charm City won 5:2 over Spartan FC & Capital City FC goes through with 3:1 defeat over Screaming Eagles. The quarterfinals will be played on 2 February at Blandair Park.
Match day 3 was completed in the Morton Cup with Washington Elite O30 being the first side to secure a quarterfinal spot. Elite defeated MD Kicks 4:0 to clinch the top of the Group A standings with a game to play. Second place is still open among the other three teams with Pipeline Red in advantage after their 2:1 victory over Baltimore City FC. There is still a bit of jockeying among the other three groups as the top two teams will advance to the quarterfinals that will be played on 2 February. We will go back in time this Sunday as we make up for the snow delayed Match Day 1 schedule. You can see the action at Long Reach HS in Columbia, Heurich Turf Field in Hyattsville & Montgomery Blair HS in Silver Spring.
Coverage from TheCup.us site.
Cups Rescheduled
Rowland & Morton Cups this Sunday
That groundhog better not see his shadow this Sunday. (28 January) The weather interrupted our schedule this past weekend and matches have been pushed back among the various cups. We will go forward with the Rowland Cup quarterfinal and the rescheduled Match Day 1 of the Morton Cup, which has been postponed twice. The Rowland Cup games will still be at Blandair Park in Columbia with start times of 1:00 & 3:00. The Morton Cup will take place at Long Reach HS in Columbia, Howard HS in Ellicott City & Montgomery Blair HS in Silver Spring.
The following Sunday, it will be the quarterfinals of the Stewart & Morton Cups. We plan to roll along from there.
Morton Cup - Group Stage - Match Day 1 (Rescheduled)
Rowland Cup - Quarterfinal Round
2 February - Columbia, Ellicott City & Silver Spring, Maryland
Rowland Down to Semi's
Morton Group Stage Complete
Quarterfinals set for this Sunday in Stewart & Morton Cups. (3 February) We got somewhat caught up yesterday with 11 matches played between the Rowland & Morton Cups. Defending champion Screaming Eagles moved onto the semifinal of the Rowland Cup with their 8:1 trashing of Baltimore Kickers Bayern. They will meet ASA Charm City FC who defeated Academy FC 3:1. The lower half of the bracket saw identical 2:1 results with Christos FC over Washington Elite FC and the Maryland Bays winning against Spartans FC. The semifinals are set for Sunday, 16 February at Blandair Park. The winner of the Rowland Cup will represent Maryland in the Region I qualifiers of the US Open Cup.
We finally got Match Day 1 of the Morton Cup played as it was twice postponed by bad weather. The top two sides in each group advanced to set up the quarterfinal round next Sunday. At Long Reach HS, Washington Elite O30 will meet Deportivo Maryland with the other pair matching Armada & Ocean Spirit. The other two quarterfinal matches has Colombia FC vs. Pipeline Red and defending champion FC Reina taking on Brothers United FC. Those games will be played at Howard HS. The semifinals are scheduled for 16 February.
The other quarterfinals for this Sunday will be the Stewart Cup, Maryland's amateur championship. Blandair Park will host those games including a rematch of yesterday's Rowland Cup contest between Washington Elite FC & Christos FC.
Stewart Cup - Quarterfinal Round
Morton Cup - Quarterfinal Round
9 February - Columbia & Ellicott City, Maryland
Maryland Final Fours
Stewart & Morton Quarterfinals Complete
The semifinals for both the Rowland & Morton Cups to be played this weekend. (11 February) The cups are pairing down with three of our cups set at the semifinal stages. Sunday's Stewart Cup action included a tight knit match between ASA Charm City FC and Pipeline SC that went scoreless through regulation. Charm City edged their Maryland Major nemesis with the lone goal in extra time. The defending Stewart champion Maryland Bays had an easier time with a 7:0 stomping over Malawi FC. Baltimore Kickers Bayern outshot Capital City FC 4:2 to advance to the semifinals. Last week, Christos FC and Washington Elite FC played a closely contested game in the Rowland Cup quarterfinal. No different this week as Christos again won the difficult battle with a 3:2 victory. The semifinals will likely take place on 2 March with the winner going forward to the Region I qualifiers of the US Amateur Cup.
The Morton Cup saw two of its matches go to penalty rounds. Washington Elite O30 and Deportivo Maryland drew 1:1. Deportivo advances 4:3 from the mark. We had a barn buster between Colombia FC and Pipeline Red with each side scoring 4 goals. Pipeline moves on as well with a 4:3 PK win. Defending champion FC Reina got by Brothers United FC with a 2:1 score line while Ocean Spirits shut out Armada 2:0. The semifinals will be played at Montgomery Blair HS in Silver Spring with the top bracket pitting Deportivo Maryland and Ocean Spirit at 10:00. The second semi will be at 4:00 between FC Reina and Pipeline.
We return to the Rowland Cup this Sunday at Blandair Park in Columbia. That final four kicks off at 11:00 with Christos FC against the Maryland Bays followed by Screaming Eagles and ASA Charm City FC. The Rowland champion will represent the state in the US Open Cup.
Snow Postponement
Rowland & Morton Semi's Pushed Back
The cup schedules are in a state of flux but the goal remains to finish by the end of March. (15 February) It has not been an easy winter to say the least but we shall persevere as the semifinals for the Rowland & Morton Cups are now scheduled for next weekend. Both will be played at Blandair Park in Columbia with the Christos FC & the Maryland Bays at 11:00 followed by Screaming Eagles against ASA Charm City FC at field #2. The Morton semifinals at field #3 feature Deportivo Maryland versus Ocean Spirit at 11:00 with the second doubleheader between FC Reina & Pipeline Red.
We will kick off the Maryland Over-30 Cup next Sunday as the Baltimore Kickers take on Spartan FC while Portside FC duel Washington Elite O30. The first match starts at 11:00 at Long Reach HS in Columbia.
Rowland Cup - Semifinal Round
Morton Cup - Semifinal Round
Maryland Over-30 Cup - Quarterfinal Round
23 February - Columbia, Maryland
Eagles & Bays Return to Rowland
FC Reina Look to Repeat in the Morton
Stewart Cup semifinals this Sunday. (25 February) We got a break with the weather and played three of our competitions this past Sunday. The Rowland Cup will have a replay of last season's final as the Screaming Eagles and the Maryland Bays won their semifinal contests. The Bays shutout league rivals Christos FC 4:0 in the first match. The second leg had the Eagles outscore ASA Charm City FC 4:2. The Rowland Final, celebrating its 100th anniversary, will be played on 9 March at a Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring at 4:00. The original cup was donated on the 1st of March in 1914 in the interest of Association Football in Maryland. It is the Open Championship of the state with the winner advancing to the Region I qualifiers of the US Open Cup.
FC Reina won the first installment of the Morton Cup and they intend to hold onto their title after a 3:0 drubbing of Pipeline Red in Sunday's semifinal. Ocean Spirit will look to stop them as they defeated Deportivo Maryland 4:2. The championship will take part on 9 March, 11:00 at Howard High School in Ellicott City.
We started the quarterfinal round of the Maryland Over-30 Cup with two high scoring affairs. The Baltimore Kickers trashed Spartan FC by a 7:0 scoreline while Washington Elite O30 blanked Portside FC 4:0. The remaining quarterfinal match between Christos FC Over-30 and Colombia FC will be at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring, 10:00 on 9 March.
This Sunday will be the semifinals of the Stewart Cup, Maryland's Amateur competition. Howard High School in Ellicott City will host ASA Charm City FC and Baltimore Kickers Bayern at 11:00 followed by the Maryland Bays against Christos FC.
Stewart Cup - Semifinal Round
2 March - Ellicott City, Maryland
Bays Reach Second Final
Will Meet League Foe Charm City
The finals of the Rowland & Morton Cups are on tap for this Sunday. (3 March) The weather held off to allow the Stewart Cup semifinals to be completed this past Sunday. The first match featured ASA Charm City FC against Baltimore Kickers Bayern. In a very even engagement, Charm City was able to stave off the Kickers with a 1:0 victory. The Maryland Bays had an easier outing as they easily handled Christos FC by a 6:0 score. The final of the Stewart Cup will take place Wednesday, 12 March at Howard High School in Ellicott City. The winner will represent Maryland in the US Amateur Cup during the USASA Region I qualifiers.
We hope that today's snow storm will melt away by the weekend as we have two finals scheduled. The Morton Cup has current title holder FC Reina looking to repeat against the Ocean Spirit. The match will kick off on Sunday, 9 March, 11:00 at Howard High School in Ellicott City. Later in the afternoon, the Bays take on defending champion Screaming Eagles in a replay of last season's title contest of the Rowland Cup. It is the 100th anniversary of state's Open competition, donated in the interest of Association Football in the Maryland on the 1 March, 1914. The final is at 4:00 at a Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring. The victor advances to the regional qualifiers of the US Open Cup.
We have two Maryland Over-30 Cup games on the schedule for Sunday as well. Christos FC Over-30 and Colombia FC meet at Montgomery Blair High School, 10:00 in their quarterfinal round. The Baltimore Kickers challenge ASA Charge Over-30 Men after the Morton final (1:00) at Howard High School in their semifinal draw.
Rowland Cup - Final
Morton Cup - Final
Maryland Over-30 Cup - Quarterfinal & Semifinal Rounds
9 March - Ellicott City & Silver Spring, Maryland
Bays Take Rowland
FC Reina Repeat with Morton Cup
Stewart Cup final this Wednesday evening featuring the Bays & Charm City. (11 March) In a replay of last year's Rowland Cup final, the Maryland Bays and defending champion Screaming Eagles squared off in Silver Spring on a rare warm and snow free afternoon for this cup season. The Eagles surprised the Bays in the 2013 title match bouncing back from a one-goal deficit to win 4:2. The Bays took the lead in Sunday's match and this time did not let it slip away as it became Maryland's Open Champion in the 100th edition of the Rowland Cup.
Glenn Leitch led the Bays with a brace, first receiving service from Josh Taylor to head in the free kick 8 minutes from the start. Leitch got credit for the second goal as his free kick went in front of the goal mouth, was dummied by Jon Ports and then went past the Eagles' keeper. Before the half ended, Chris Ports made it 3:0 as he pounced on his saved penalty kick and converted the rebound. Jon Ports put the match out of reach 8 minutes into the second half, taking advantage of a misclearance from the Eagles defenders. The Eagles were awarded a penalty in the 84th to make the final result 4:1. The Rowland Cup is Maryland's Open competition and was donated on 1 March 1914 in the interest of Association Football. The Bays will represent the state on 6 April in the Region I qualifiers of the US Open Cup where they will meet West Chester United of Eastern Pennsylvania.
Last season, we inaugurated the Morton Cup, named in honor of Darwin "Lefty" Morton. Lefty was a dedicated member of the Maryland soccer community serving as a youth coach in his younger years and as an officer for both the Maryland Major Soccer League and the Maryland State Soccer Association, including Vice President. Lefty was always seen on the touchlines of soccer fields throughout the state during league and state cup action.
In 2013, FC Reina went undefeated in group and knock out play to win the first Morton Cup. The club repeated that feat by again not losing a match in season's cup as they defeated Ocean Spirit 4:2 in the final. Shawn Baker and Ben "The One" McMunn tallied twice each to allow their side to hold onto the Morton Cup for the second year.
We are winding down a challenging cup season that weather made difficult but for the most part has gone smoothly. On Sunday two games were played in the Maryland Over-30 Cup with Christos FC Over-30 topping Colombia FC 2:1 in their quarterfinal contest and ASA Chesapeake Charge Over-30 Men reaching the final after a 5:0 shutout of the Baltimore Kickers. On Wednesday night, the Stewart Cup final kicks off 7:00 at Howard High School in Ellicott City with the Maryland Bays and ASA Charm City seeking Maryland's amateur title. The winner will represent Maryland in the US Amateur Cup during the USASA Region I qualifiers.
Stewart Cup - Final
12 March - Ellicott City, Maryland
Bays Make it a Maryland Double
Add Stewart Title to Trophy Case
Maryland Over-30 leaves us down to the last two cup matches of the season. (19 March) Last year, the Maryland Bays reached the finals of the state's two historic cups. Once again this winter, the Bays reached the same finals against the same two opponents. This time, it took both trophies home. After defeating the Screaming Eagles 4:1 in the Rowland Cup title match, the Bays made it a double with a 5:0 shutout of league rival ASA Charm City FC for honors in Maryland's amateur competition, the Stewart Cup. They will represent the state in both the US Adult Soccer Region I qualifiers of the US Open & Amateur Cups. Both competitions will give the team a shot at reaching the 2015 Lamar Hunt US Open Cup.
The match was delayed for one half hour due to lightning, rain and blustering winds. Charm City selected to start with the wind behind them and were unfortunate to make good on several scoring opportunities. Bays keeper Thurman Van Riper made several saves. Around the 30th minute mark, Josh Taylor sent the ball to Jon Ports who started a run towards goal but then slotted the ball to his left to his streaking teammate Collin Rome, whose shot weny by the near post. Zach Flores snuck by a Charm City defender looking to clear the ball and tapped it through to give his club a 2:0 lead right before the half.
With the wind on their side in the second half, the Bays put more pressure and scored their third 15 minutes in. Midfielder Glenn Leitch's pass went across the goal mouth to reach Chris Weaver who struck it past the keeper. Ports added the fourth goal and Danny Ankrah finished it off with blast from about 25 yards out that hit the upper left corner of the goal.
We thought the snow was done but Old Man Winter had other ideas. The semifinal match between Christos FC Over-30 and Washington Elite O30 has been moved to Sunday, 11:00 at Montgomery Blair High School in Silver Spring. The winner will meet ASA Chesapeake Charge Over-30 Men at Oakland Mills High School on Sunday, 30 March at 11:00. The champion will advance to the regional qualifiers for the US Over-30 Cup.
Maryland Over-30 Cup - Semifinal Round
23 March - Silver Spring, Maryland
Last Cup Final of the Season
Christos & Charge Vie for Maryland Over-30 Cup
The winner advances to US Over-30 Cup. (27 March) Christos FC Over-30 have reached the state title match for the fourth year running behind two second half goals in their shutout of Washington Elite O30. Vinnie Piscopo scored the game winner putting away a pass from Marvin Desormeaux in the 54th minute. He then gave his side extra cushion with an assist 10 minutes later setting up Mike Pennacchia to make it 2:0. The defense were able to hold off Elite for the last 25 minutes to win the semifinal.
The final against ASA Chesapeake Charge Over-30 Men, set for Sunday, 30 March, 11:00 at Oakland Mills High School, has an interesting twist. Christos is not only the defending Maryland champion in the Over-30 Cup but it has won the last two national titles in that category. This season, some of the players who took part on those championship sides moved over to the Charge. The final will feature former teammates facing off against each other in pursuit of reaching the Region I qualifiers and hopefully then onto the US Adult Soccer National Cup Finals. The regional qualifiers start on 27 April.
Maryland Over-30 Cup - Final
30 March - Columbia, Maryland
Christos Makes it Four
Defeat Charge for Maryland Over-30 Cup
Club seeks to take its third national title. (2 April) Ever since the Maryland Over-30 Cup was inaugurated in 2011, there has only been one team placed the champions list. Christos FC O-30 continued its reign as it outlasted ASA Chesapeake Charge Over-30 Men in penalty rounds 4:3. The match took place at Oakland Mills High School on a cold, windy, miserable day. But Christos persevered and will look to win its third straight national when it starts regional qualifiers on 27 April.
The first half ended nil-nil but we had plenty of action afterwards as the Charge took the lead on two goals from Tony Taminini. The first from a rebound and the second after redirecting a shot from teammate Rob Lawton. Christos cut it in half when Andy Wells converted a penalty. Vinnie Piscopo tied it up with 10 minutes left and the match finished 2:2 in regulation. A scoreless extra time forced the penalty rounds with Christos prevailing 4:3 to take their fourth Maryland O-30 title. Congratulation to Christos FC O-30 and good luck in the US Adult Soccer Region I qualifiers as they seek to three peat in the US Over-30 Cup.
Region I begins its cup season with first round and quarterfinal action in the Werner Fricker US Open Cup. The Maryland Bays travel north to meet West Chester United of Eastern Pennsylvania. Follow the tournament on the Region I site.
This wraps up the Maryland cup season. The winter weather was harsh this year forcing several postponements. Thanks always to our Cup Commissioner, Fran McGrath, who worked diligently to get the field permits and keep the schedule on track. He is the best cup commissioner in the country with Maryland having one of the top cup programs in US Adult Soccer. Congratulations to our champions this season: Maryland Bays (Rowland & Stewart), Christos FC O-30 (Maryland Over-30) and FC Reina (Morton). Good luck to the Bays and Christos in Region I play. Finally, thanks to all of our teams for taking part in the Maryland Cups. We hope to see you again next year.
Maryland Clubs at National Cup Finals
Maryland Major & Baltimore Mayor's Cup
(10 July) We have two Maryland champions not only representing the state but also Region I this month at the US Adult Soccer National Cup Finals. Christos FC O-30 head out to Salt Lake City to defend its title in the Gerhard Mengel US Over-30 Cup. They seek to make it three in a row as the top O-30 side in the country. The Maryland Bays reach their first national finals to compete for the Werner Fricker US Open Cup. The final four are among the top USASA amateur sides that competed for the US Open Cup. It takes part at Lone Peak Park and Rio Tinto Stadium in Salt Lake City, Utah from 25 to 27 July.
Maryland Brings Home the Silverware
Christos & Bays Win National Titles
Two Maryland sides part of Region I sweep of the US Adult Soccer National Cup Finals. (28 July) It was a great weekend in Sandy, Utah surrounded among among the majestic mountains of Lone Peak as Christos FC O-30 and the Maryland Bays returned home as national champions after competing at the US Adult Soccer National Cup Finals. For Christos, it is their third successive title in the Gerhard Mengel US Over-30 Cup. The Bays took the Werner Fricker US Open Cup for their first national victory.
The semifinals this year pitted the Region I champions against their counterparts in Region III. For the O-30 Cup, that meant Christos seeing Triad United FC of North Carolina. Lucio Gonzaga scored in the first half and Ben Pardew put one away in the second to give Christos a 2:0 shutout. The Bays semifinal opponent also was a Carolina side, Triangle Brigade FC, who they defeated 4:1 on goals from Glenn Leitch, Danny Baxter, Nino Mangione and Elton Joe.
Christos title challenger was Olympic Club of California North (Region IV) who advanced on penalties after a 1:1 draw against RWB Adria of Illinois (Region II). Val Teixeira got Christos off to a quick start converting a pass from Zach Flores in the third minute. It turned out the be the match winner as Christos held off Olympic for the narrow shutout. Christos retains the Gerhard Mengel Cup in Maryland for the third straight year.
The Bays went into the Open Cup final against Des Moines Menace of Iowa (Region II), semifinal winner over Chula Vista FC of Southern California (Region IV). They too put in a quick strike with Joe hitting the net in the 12th minute for his second goal of the weekend. The half ended with that one-nil result. Fifteen minutes into the half, Baxter doubled his weekend tallies for a 2:0 lead. Bryan Moffa put in the insurance goal to finish it 3:0 and send the Werner Fricker Cup to the Old Line State.
Congratulations to Chrstos and the Bays, especially coach Bryan Bugarin who lead both sides to the national championships.
It was not only a great finals weekend for Maryland teams but for Region I as it swept all three cups. The New York Greek American Atlas of Eastern New York defeated Guadalajara Soccer Club of Denver 4:2 to hoist the US Amateur Cup. Region I teams also took titles earlier in the summer with ABGC Annandale United of Metro DC/Virginia winning the US Under-23 Cup and the National Women's Championship seeing New York Athletic Club defeat ASA Chesapeake Charge for the Open Division crown.
