2023 Cup Registration Now Open
Deadline: 16 December
Over-50 competition added to cup slate. (11 November) Registration for the 2023 cup season is now open for the Rowland, Stewart, Morton Cups along with the Maryland Over-30, Over-40 & Over-50 Cups. Registration will be open until 16 December.
Play will start in January and we look to complete by March. Several of our winners will advance to the qualifiers for USASA Region I. The Stewart Cup champion advances to US Amateur Cup. NPSL affiliated Maryland teams are eligible to enter the Stewart Cup but must register all of their players with MSSA prior to taking part in the competition. Our Rowland Cup, Maryland's oldest competition in the Open category, will see the winner compete for the Region I Werner Fricker Cup. The Maryland O-30 & O-40 champions advance to the Region event. We have a new competition, the Maryland Over-50 Cup, which may also become a Region I contest if other state associations enter teams.
The Morton Cup is a state only competition. Teams and players taking part in the Rowland and Stewart Cups are not eligible for this championship. Teams playing in non-affiliated leagues are eligible for the Morton, Over-30, Over-40 & Over-50 Cups but must register all of their players prior to taking part in the competition.
A draw will be held for all of our cups. Teams must enter online through the links below. The deadline to enter the cups is 12 December 2022. The entry fee is $105 per cup (convenience fee included) and must be paid online. Referee fees for the cups are $220 ($110 per team) and paid at the field by each team. Matches will be played primarily on Sundays.
Deadline to enter has been extended to Friday, 16 December
2023 Cup Draws Complete
Schedules Posted
Kicks off on 8 January with the Morton Cup. (21 December) The draws were made this afternoon for the 2023 cup season. We begin our new season on 8 January with group play of the Morton Cup. We have eight teams divided into two groups taking part in a round robin to determine who reaches the semifinals. If the weather cooperates, this Maryland championship will be completed on 5 February.
On the following Sunday, 15 January, the first round of the Rowland Cup will see fifteen sides attempting to hoist the state's oldest competition. That is the same number of teams vying for the Cup, Maryland's amateur championship which qualifies for the USASA Region I Amateur Cup. The two competitions will alternate week to week with the Stewart final slated for 5 March. We wrap it up with the Maryland Over-30, Over-40 & Over-50 Cups later in the season. All of the schedules are posted on the tabs above.
Off to a Good Start
Morton Match Day 1 Complete
First round of Rowland Cup to be played Sunday. (9 January) The first match day went off without a hitch as we got all four of our Morton Cup games played. Defending champion Das Bierhalle FC picked up where they left off last season defeating Ittihad FC 4:1. They lead Group A along with DMV Elite FC who drowned DC Flames 12:0. In Group B, Rockville Soccer Club and the Baltimore Kickers top the table as Rockville beat Columbia FC II 5:1 while the Kickers were 4:2 victors over C.F. Skyline City Union. Match Day 2 takes place next Sunday at Howard High School and Long Reach High School.
The Rowland Cup is added next Sunday along our cup fixtures with seven first round matches that will be played at Blandair Park and Cedar Lane Park. In all, fifteen teams will compete for Maryland's oldest competition and qualification to the Werner Fricker Cup. The quarterfinals are scheduled for 29 January.
Rowland Down to Eight
One Match Day Left for Morton
Stewart Cup next on the menu. (15 January) We are at the quarterfinal stage for the Rowland Cup as we played seven first round matches. Capital City FC advanced on penalties after drawing A3 Highlanders 2:2 to set up their final 8 match up against All Stars United who shutout Colombia FC 4:0. The other part of that bracket has street footie (3:0 against VA United) meeting Steel Pulse FC after their 2:1 defeat of Club Atletico Los Toros. FC 4188 tied against MoCo1776 FC 3:3 but go through after penalties to face Columbia FC, 4:1 victors over AFC Dobes. The last match saw K Crew overtake Team United 3:1. They will face defending champion Christos FC who had a bye. The quarterfinals are scheduled for 29 January.
One more round for group play in the Morton Cup with DMV Elite FC and Das Bierhalle FC clinching Group A. Elite outshot Ittihad FC 4:2 while Das Bierhalle beat DC Flames 3:1. The two leaders will determine who gets group bragging rights next week. The last match day will determine who advances in Group B with leaders Rockville Soccer Club and the Baltimore Kickers drawing 1:1. Both have a one point advantage over third place Columbia FC II who edged out C.F. Skyline City Union 2:1. Columbia takes on the Kickers while Elite matches up against the Union. The third match day will be played out at Howard High School and Long Reach High School.
The Stewart Cup is our next jewel starting the 2023 competitions. Fifteen teams seeking the state's amateur title. The winner advances to the Region I qualifiers of the Amateur Cup.
Morton Semi's Set
Stewart at Quarterfinals Stage
Quarterfinals for Rowland Cup on tap. (23 January) Group play is complete with the Morton Cup down to its final four. In the shoot out to determine the top of the standings, Das Bierhalle FC shut out DMV Elite FC 2:0 to clinch Group A. Group B ended with Rockville Soccer Club, 1:0 winner over C.F. Skyline City Union, and the BaltimoreKickers, who outshot Columbia FC II 3:1, tied in point. Rockville takes the group based on goal differential. That sets them up for a semifinal against Elite while the Kickers will face Das Bierhalle. The semifinals will be played at Blandair Park next Sunday.
We paired the Stewart Cup to the final eight after seven first round matches. K Crew continued their good form from last week's Rowland round defeating AFC Dobes 3:1. That sets them up for a quarterfinal match against Club Atletico Los Toros, 5:0 victor over FC 4188. Steel Pulse FC, 5:0 over Columbia FC, set up an encounter against Los Bods who edged out Team United 2:1. A3 Highlanders crushed Colombia FC 6:0 to place them in a meeting against Sure Sports FC who outlasted Capital City FC in penalties after a 1:1 draw. Cup holder Christos FC will match up against MoCo1776 FC, 3:1 winners over Allstars United. The quarterfinals are scheduled for 5 February.
This weekend we have the quarterfinals of the Rowland Cup with Capital City FC facing All Stars United and street footie Football Club against Steel Pulse FC in the upper part of the bracket. The lower side shows FC 4188 meeting Columbia FC while Christos FC take on K Crew. All four quarterfinal matches will take place at Cedar Lane Park.
Das Bierhalle Return to Final
Face DMV Elite for Morton Championship
Rowland Cup down to final four. (30 January) Holder Das Bierhalle FC look to defend its title as it will play Group play DMV Elite FC for the Morton Cup. The two sides have already played each other with Das Bierhalle topping the Group A standings after shutting out Elite 2:0 and were able to handle their Group B opponents in the semifinals. Rockville Soccer Club lost 2:0 to DMV while Das Bierhalled put away three goals against the Baltimore Kickers. The final is set for 11:00 on Sunday at Blandair Park.
The Rowland Cup is at the semifinal stage after yesterday's quarterfinals round. Capital City FC once again survived the penalty elimination after drawing All Stars United 1:1. They will face Steel Pulse FC who took care of its match against street footie Football Club 5:0. On the other side of the bracket, defending champion Christos FC pushed aside K Crew 6:1 to advance for their semifinal match against Columbia FC, who reversed a 2:0 deficit to come up on top against FC 4188 3:2. The semifinals are scheduled for Cedar Lane Park on 12 February.
Next on the plate is the quarterfinals of the Stewart Cup. K Crew will see Club Atletico Los Toros while Steel Pulse and Los Bods fill out the other half of the bracket. It will be A3 Highlanders versus Sure Sports FC in one quarter with the winner getting Christos or MoCo1776 FC. Cedar Lane Park will be the location of this final eight round.
Das Bierhalle Repeats
Edges DMV Elite for Second Morton Title
Stewart Cup reaches semi stage. (6 February) Das Bierhalle FC held on to defended its Morton Cup title with a 1:0 shutout of DMV Elite FC. At the 16th minute, Antoine Akinbinu's shot hit a DMV Elite defender deflected into the goal. Goalkeeper Nick Oppel and the Das Bierhalle did the rest, stopping several DMV attempts including a penalty kick in the 75th minute. Worthy final played by both sides. Das Bierhalle becomes the second club to repeat the Morton Cup, last accomplished by FC Reina in 2013 & 2014. The Morton Cup is played in honor of Darwin "Lefty" Morton, former Vice President of MSSA and an avid supporter of the cup program.
The final four is set for the Stewart Cup with Club Atletico Los Toro facing Steel Pulse FC in the top half of the bracket while Sure Sports FC will meet Christos FC on the other side. Los Toros took care of K Crew 8:0 while Steel Pulse edged Los Bods 5:4 in penalties after the two drew 3:3. Sure Sports secured their spot with a 4:1 victory over A3 Highlanders and Christos easily handled MoCo1776 FC with a 5:1 win. The semifinals will be played on 19 February.
The Rowland Cup semifinals see Capital City FC against Steel Pulse FC and holders Christos FC taking on Columbia FC. Cedar Lane Park will be the site of the final four with the first match at 11:00.
Christos & Steel Pulse Again
Rematch of Last Season's Rowland Final
Both look to reach Stewart final. (12 February) The Rowland semifinals finished with the same two finalist from the season previous with cup holder Christos FC facing their Maryland Super Soccer League foe Steel Pulse FC for the title. Christos went through shutting out Columbia FC 2:0. Christos dominated early with ball possession but did not hit the net until the 27th minute with Brian Graham making good off a rebound. Alejandro Arbelaez doubled the lead with 7 minutes left to give Christos its halftime cushion. The second half, Christos cruised through keeping the clean sheet.
Steel Pulse FC defeated Capital City FC 3:1 to make their return trip. Charles Adu Bio broke the scoreless tie in the 29th but Capital City drew even five minutes later on a goal by Jakob Asfaha. Late in second half Adu Bio got the game winner heading in a rebound in after a fleury of shots on goal. Alfredo Midence sealed the match for Steel Pulse scoring on an empty net. The final is set for Sunday, 26 February, 11:00 at Blandair Park in Columbia.
Christos and Steel Pulse are also in the running for the Stewart Cup with the semifinals this Sunday at Blandair Park. Club Atletico Los Toro take on Steel Pulse in the first semifinal with Sure Sports FC challenging defending champion Christos in the second match. The Stewart Cup winner advances to the USASA Region I qualifiers for the Amateur Cup.
Stewart to Have a New Champion
Los Toro & Sure Sport Vie for Amateur Title
Christos seven year reign comes to an end. (20 February) This season's Stewart Cup Championship will feature two new finalists, Club Atletico Los Toro and Sure Sports FC, both prevailing after penalty rounds. Atletico battled Steel Pulse FC in a scoreless match. Goalkeeper Travis Basso stopped the last attempt by Malik Thom to give his side the edge. Sure Sport and Christos FC fought to a 1:1 draw with Brian Graham giving the cup holder the early lead ten minutes in from an assist from Joe Glos. Ten minutes later, a penalty was awarded to Sure Sports that was converted by Cedric Tatchou. In the penalty rounds, Christos went awry on their first two kicks while Sure Sports made good on their four attempts to clinch a place in the final. The Stewart Cup winner advances to the USASA Region I qualifiers for the Amateur Cup and will be played 5 March at Montgomery Blair High School.
The Rowland Cup Final is next on our schedule with defending champion Christos FC up against Steel Pulse FC for the title. These two met last season with Christos winning by a single goal. The Rowland Cup is Maryland's oldest competition that was first played in 1914. The final is set for Blandair Park at 11:00.
Christos Repeat Rowland
Wins Cup for Eight Time
Stewart final and O-30 Cup are the next fixtures. (27 February) The Rowland Cup final featured two foes who met last season for the title match, Christos FC and Steel Pulse FC. As was the case last year, it was another tense battle with Christos coming up top with a late game winner to hoist Maryland's oldest competition for the club's eighth time. Steel Pulse took the first lead in the 28th of the first half on a penalty converted by Yousself Naciri. Five minutes later, Alex Lee connected on an assist by Jamie Merriam to draw it even. Steel Pulse went into halftime with an advantage with a 40th minute goal by Charles Boatang from a Naciri pass.
Christos fought back in the second half but it was not until the 78th minute that they tied the match from a Merriam penalty kick. It looked as if the final would be decided by penalty kicks until a corner kick taken by Matthew Bailey over the defense and curved inward caroming off the far post to go in with a minute left in regulation. Steel Pulse furiously tried to knot the score in the five minutes of extra time but Christos keeper Quantrel Jones was able to hold on for the win. The Rowland Cup was first played in 1914 with the state champion advancing to the USASA Region I Werner Fricker Cup.
We will have a new champion for the Stewart Cup as it features first time finalists Club Atletico Los Toro and Sure Sports FC. Both sides went through from their semifinals triumphing in penalty rounds against the two Rowland finalists. The Stewart Cup is Maryland's Amateur championship that goes back to 1932. The winner represents teh state in the Amateur Cup and advance to the Region I qualifiers. Montgomery Blair High School will be the location of the final and it kicks off at 11:00.
We also unveil our next competition with the Maryland Over-30 Cup. Two quarterfinal matches will determine the semifinal slate with Colombia FC facing DC Flames at Blair High School while Das Bierhalle FC will be challenged by Los Bods at Blandair Park. The winners will meet Christos and the Baltimore Kickers respectively. The cup winner advances to the Gerhard Mengel Cup.
Sure Sports Crowned Stewart Champion
Wins Maryland's Amateur Title
Semifinals set for the O-30 Cup. (6 March) A new name has been etched on the rolls of Stewart Cup champions after Sure Sports FC blanked Club Atletico Los Toro 4:0 in the final at Montgomery Blair High School. Sure Sports went into the half with a one goal lead after a 26th minute strike from Isaac Ekobo from an Allan Kamoga assist. Then it was was a dominating effort in the second half. Dauda Allie sent Camron Barghi a perfect pass in the 63rd to double the lead. and scored. Isaac Mbappe wrapped it up in the 85th when he followed a shot by Cedric Tatchou and Tatchou put away a penalty kick in the 90th to shut the door. The Stewart Cup, Maryland's Amateur championship, was established in 1932 with the winner advancing to the Amateur Cup of the USASA Region I qualifiers. Sure Sports will meet the winner between the West Chester Predators of Eastern Pennsylvania and Albion SC of Delaware in the quarterfinal round on 23 April.
We kicked off the Maryland Over-30 Cup with two quarterfinal matches. Colombia FC edged DC Flames 1:0 to set up a date against cup holder Christos FC. Das Bierhalle FC needed some last minute heroics to defeat Los Bods 3:2. They will face the Baltimore Kickers in the semifinals, both set at Montgomery Blair High School.
Over-30 Final Set
Christos to Defend Crown Against Das Bierhalle
O-40 Semifinal match this weekend as well. (13 March) Cup holder Christos FC returns to the Over-30 final after eliminating Colombia FC 9:0 and will face Das Bierhalle FC in the title match scheduled for Glenelg High School next Sunday. Das Bierhalle had a more difficult semifinal challenge lead by two goals from Nico Garcia to defeat the Baltimore Kickers 5:2. Shaun Ostrowski, Chris Contino and Sean Scarselletta were the other goal scorers. The cup winner advances to the Region I Gerhard Mengel Cup and will meet the Tartan Devils of Pennsylvania West in the quarterfinals.
We have a single semfinal in the Over-40 Cup with Colombia taking on the Kickers after the O-30 final. The winner sets up a date against defending champion Christos the following week.
Over-30 Final Replay
Over-40 Final Features Christos & Kickers
Referee error will see Christos & Das Bierhalle lace it up again for O-30 title. (22 March) A critical error in the application of Law 14 in regards to a penalty kick means the match played between Christos FC and Das Bierhalle FC for the Maryland Over-30 Cup final will be replayed. It will take place on Wednesday evening, 29 March, 8:00 at Troy Park in Elkridge. The winner advances to the Region I Gerhard Mengel Cup and will meet the Tartan Devils of Pennsylvania West in the quarterfinals.
The Baltimore Kickers reserved a date against cup holders Christos for the Maryland Over-40 Cup after defeating Colombia FC 7:3 in their semifinal round. Kevin Jeffries and Arnauld Donfack earned their braces while Mehran Mirjafari, Vahid Meimand and Yaacov Rubin scored as well. The final is set for Sunday afternoon at Long Reach High School in Columbia.
Christos Take Second Cup
Repeat as Over-40 Champion
Look to double this week with O-30 and inaugural O-50 titles. (27 March) Christos FC picked up their second MSSA trophy of the season after a 3:0 shutout of the Baltimore Kickers in the Maryland Over-40 Cup. Ken Suter, Mark Holmes and JG Cole hit the net for the Lions, earning them their fifth straight O-40 title. They will move on to the Region I qualifiers where they travel to Richmond to take on the Renegades on 23 April.
Christos will face Das Bierhalle FC on Wednesday evening in their replay of the Maryland Over-30 Cup final. It will be at 8:00, Troy Park in Elkridge on 29 March. The winner advances to the Region I Gerhard Mengel Cup and will meet the Tartan Devils of Pennsylvania West in the quarterfinals.
Sunday we conclude our 2023 cup season with the inaugural title match for the Maryland Over-50 Cup between Christos and OG Soccer FC. The match will be played at Laytonia Recreation Park in Gaithersburg at 11:00. It will be followed by a Region I Werner Fricker Cup quarterfinal match featuring Christos and Appalachia Steel FC.
Christos Threepeat
Shutout Das Bierhalle in Over-30 Final
Last cup match of season is O-50 title this Sunday. (30 March) For the third straight year, ten overall in its history, Christos FC are crowned the Maryland Over-30 champion, defeating Das Bierhalle FC 2:0. After a scoreless first half, Jon Ports and Brian Graham hit the net with Danny Baxter getting an assist to take their side to victory. Phil Suanders and Dan McCleary shared net minder duties to earn the shutout. The Lions advance to the USASA Region I qualifiers for the Gerhard Mengel Cup, which they have won the national title three times. They will travel to Pittsburgh next month to take on the Tartan Devils of the Pennsylvania West Soccer Association.
We have one more final to conclude our 2023 cup season, the inaugual Maryland Over-50 Cup featuring Christos and OG Soccer FC. The match will be played at Laytonia Recreation Park in Gaithersburg at 11:00 and will be followed by a Region I Werner Fricker Cup quarterfinal match featuring Christos and Appalachia Steel FC of West Virginia at 1:30.
Christos Take Inaugural Over-50
Edge OG Soccer 1:0 in Final
Christos also advance to semifinals of Werner Fricker Cup. (3 April) Our 2023 cup season concluded with the inaugural Maryland Over-50 Cup that featured Christos FC and OG Soccer FC. In a closely contested match, Henry Jones 10th minute goal from a Billy Reinhardt pass was the match winner to add another and new piece of silverware to the Christos trophy case. They advance to the Region I Over-50 Cup, which is also in its first season, to meet Philly Bucks of Eastern Pennsylvania.
Christos FC
OG Soccer FC
Christos had a quarterfinal round in the Region I Werner Fricker Cup hosting Appalachia Steel FC of West Virginia after the O-50 final. In an easy contest, Brian Graham and Jamey Merrian recorded hat tricks, Matt Bailey a brace and goals from Alex Arbelaez, Joe Glos, Morgan Lussi and Demetrius Shepard-Lewis in a 13:0 run. Their semifinal opponent will be West Chester United of Eastern Pennsylvania at the end of the month.
A fantastic job as always from our MSSA Cup Commissioner, Fran McGrath. We congratulate all of our Maryland champions and those advancing to Region qualifiers the best of luck.
Christos Make Over-40 Final
Sure Sports Look to Book Ticket for Amateur
Along with Christos O50, teams look to head to Region I Finals next month in Horsham, Pennsylvania. (15 May) After a month plus of qualifiers in Region I cup matches, Maryland will have at least one representative in the finals. The Christos FC O-40 side defeated Phoenix SC of Eastern Pennsylvania in their semifinal round of the Over-40 Cup. Dan Lader took a pass from Jesse Kellner for the match winner while John Schickert kept the nets clean. Christos awaits the winner between Kel Kau Masters of Massachusetts and Manhattan Celtic Masters of Eastern New York for the title opponent.
Sure Sports FC will host Region cup holder NOVA FC of Metro DC/Virginia as they seek their berth in the Amateur final. Sure Sports upset Eastern Penn powerhouse West Chester United 4:1 in the quarterfinal tie to move on. The match will be played at Oakland Mills High School in Columbia at noon this Sunday.
Christos travel to Langhorne, Pennsylvania for their Region I Over-50 Cup semifinal match against the Philly Bucks of Eastern Pennsylvania. This inaugural cup features four teams including Chesire Azzurri of Connecticut and True Soccer FC of Massachusetts.
The Region I finals will take place on 17 & 18 at the Ukrainian American Sport Center in Horsham and the Vereinigung Erzgebirge Club in Warminster. Along with the finals, the Region will host the Women's Championship along with the Men's Under-23 Championship for the Gus Xikis Trophy.
Christos & Sure Sports in Region Finals
Shot for National Championship
Both to play in Region I Finals in Horsham, Pennsylvania on 17 June. (3 June) Once again Maryland will be well represented in Region I cups as Christos FC compete for the O-40 title against Manhattan Celtic Masters of Eastern New York while Sure Sports FC faces former Amateur Cup champion Newtown Pride FC of Connecticut for the Fritz Marth Trophy. This is familiar territory for the Christos club but a first time appearance for Sure Sports in their inaugural run in Region qualifying. The sides will be featured as a doubleheader on Saturday evening, 17 June at the Ukrainian American Sport Center in Horsham, Pennsylvania. Victory entitles the winners to represent Region I in the USASA National Finals that will take place 4 to 6 August at the TBK Bank Complex in Bettendorf, Iowa.
