Christos Take Mengel Cup
Fall Short on Fricker Cup

Team will head to Detroit for National Finals. (3 July) Christos FC continues its rich history in Region I cup success as it defeated Danbury United of Connecticut 4:2 to lift the Gerhard Mengel Cup, the Over-30 Championship. United took the lead in the 17th minute but Lucio Gonzaga drew it even four minutes later. Dan Lader's pass put Christos ahead midway through the half as he set up Kevin Mezzedra for the goal. Danbury tied it up 65 minutes into the second half and it appeared the match would go into extra time. Mezzedra scored his second goal in the 84th for the game winner and Christ Ports put it out of reach in injury time for the final result. Captain Val Teixeira accepted the trophy, the fourth in six years for Christos in this competition. They will head out to the Ultimate Soccer Arena in Pontiac, Michigan on 18 & 19 August for the national finals.

Christos were looking to return to Maryland with a Region I double as it faced Lansdowne Bhoys FC of Eastern New York in the Werner Fricker Cup, the Amateur Open Championship. They came just short as Lansdowne went through on penalties after the two fought through a 1:1 battle. Lansdowne struck first 15 minutes into the match when a scrum in front of the goal mouth allowed a corner to go in unobstructed. The first half ended 1:0 for the New York side. Mamadou Kansaye leveled it in the 60th minute with a wonderful strike. Both teams were unable to make good of their opportunities through either regulation or extra time, so it went to penalties. In the fifth round, Lansdowne hit their final kick to become champions with a 3:2 advantage. It was a worthy final between two of the best amateur teams in the United States.

To see the results of this past MSSA Cup season, go to the tabs above.