MEDIA
"Big News: Annapolis Blues Men's Team Joins USL League Two This May!"
Happy Friday Blues Family! Please keep reading for some exciting news!
We’re excited to share some incredible news that marks a defining moment for our men’s team and the broader Blues community. Starting this May, our men’s team will officially transition to USL League Two, a move that underscores our commitment to growth, excellence, and opportunity within the world of soccer.
Why USL League Two?
USL League Two is widely recognized as the preeminent pre-professional soccer league in North America, providing a platform where top talent competes, develops, and prepares for professional careers. Joining this league places our team in a highly competitive environment where they’ll face some of the best collegiate and amateur players from across the country.
What This Means for Our Team
This transition reflects our dedication to fostering the development of our players, both on and off the field. USL League Two offers exposure to scouts, professional clubs, and other opportunities that can propel our athletes to the next stage of their careers. It’s more than just soccer; it’s about providing pathways for success while staying true to the community-driven values that define our club.
The Road Ahead
Over the coming months, our coaching staff and players will be hard at work preparing for the upcoming season. We’ll share updates, including player announcements, match schedules, and community events leading up to our first game in the league this May.
We’re calling on all of you—our loyal supporters, fans, and community partners—to join us on this exciting journey. Together, we can make our inaugural season in USL League Two a memorable one. Your support, whether from the stands or through community engagement, will play a crucial role in making this transition a success.
A Word from USL League Two and Owner/ Managing Partner, Hitch
“Annapolis Blues are synonymous with soccer in the Chesapeake region,” said Joel Nash, SVP of Youth and Pre-Professional Properties. “We’re incredibly excited to have them on board, and we know fans will pack the stands to see them challenge the other clubs on this stage.”
"It's an exciting time for soccer in Annapolis with the new Blues Women's team joining USL W League and now the Blues Men's team joining USL League Two,” said Michael Hitchcock, Owner & Managing Partner. “All great clubs have a Derby and the USL2 Maryland Derby is coming to Naptown when we take on Christos FC at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium and when the Blues fans and The Bay Bhoys travel to support the Blues in Baltimore. Get ready for Summer 2025. It’s going to be special!”
How You Can Get Involved
Spread the Word: Help us share the news about this exciting development on social media and with friends and family.
Purchase Your Season Tickets: Visit Annapolisblues.com today to secure your 2025 season ticket to all Annapolis Blues home games!
Attend Games: Let’s pack the stands and show the league the heart and passion of the Blues community.
Stay Connected: Follow us on social media and keep an eye on your inbox for updates, event announcements, and more.
Thank you for your unwavering support and belief in the vision of our club. This is just the beginning of an incredible journey, and we couldn’t be more excited to take this step with all of you by our side.
Let’s make history together!
Ashly Kennedy Named First Women's Team Coach in Blues Club History!
Good Morning Blues Family!
We hope this message finds you well and as excited as we are about the growth of our club! Today, we are thrilled to share a monumental moment in our journey—the official introduction of the first-ever Head Coach for our Women’s Team, Ashly Kennedy.
Coach Kennedy brings an exceptional track record of leadership, passion, and dedication to the beautiful game. With years of experience both on and off the field, Ashly has consistently demonstrated a commitment to developing talent, fostering teamwork, and achieving excellence. Her vision for the Women’s Team aligns perfectly with our club’s values, and we couldn’t be more excited to have her at the helm as we embark on this new chapter.
"I am beyond excited to work with the Annapolis Blues that has a passion for community, soccer, and hometown pride. The environment, professionalism, opportunities, and unwavering fan support have been nothing short of extraordinary. Being back in my hometown of Annapolis, where I grew up, makes this opportunity even more meaningful. I look forward to building a team that embodies the core values of the Annapolis Blues while delivering an exciting product and platform for the Annapolis community to rally behind with strong young women. This collaboration signifies more than just a professional step; it’s a heartfelt commitment to creating something special for the city and its passionate supporters." Says Coach Kennedy
As we look forward to the inaugural season of our Women’s Team, we invite you to join us in welcoming Coach Kennedy to the Blues family. We are confident that her expertise and enthusiasm will inspire our players and bring a new level of energy to the pitch.
“I’m super excited and energized for the Blues women’s team and the opportunity to work with the Annapolis Blues and all the great things they’ve done in our community over the past two years” says General Manager for the Women’s Team, Jim Gabarra.
“I selected Ashly as our first head coach because she has been a staple of our Annapolis community growing up here, playing soccer here and coaching in the USL W league. She brings many years of playing coaching experience at the club level and is a perfect fit for what we are building here with the Annapolis Blues women’s team” states Gabarra.
Stay tuned for more updates as we build out the Women’s Team and prepare for an incredible season ahead. Together, we are creating a brighter and more inclusive future for Annapolis Blues FC.
Let’s give Coach Kennedy a warm welcome to Annapolis and show her the unwavering support of the best fans in the game. Go Blues!
Be sure to reserve your season seat for the 2025 season right here!
Annapolis Blues Welcome Back Head Coach Colin Herriot for Year Three!
Attention Annapolis Blues Family!!!
We are thrilled to announce that Colin Herriot will return as the head coach of YOUR Annapolis Blues Men’s Team for his third year at the helm!
Coach Herriot has been an integral part of the Annapolis Blues FC journey, leading our team with passion, strategy, and a deep commitment to the game. Over the past two seasons, his leadership has not only driven success on the field but has also helped shape a strong and united culture within our club.
"Im committed to bringing more success to the club and giving the fans and the city a team they can be proud of. This is a team that represents every corner of our state.
We're really excited about our roster for 2025 and it's an exciting time for everyone connected to our club.
I'm looking forward to more special nights at Navy Memorial Stadium and thank you for your continued support" said Coach Herriot!
As we look ahead to the upcoming season, we’re excited to see Coach Herriot continue to build on this foundation, inspiring our players and our community to aim even higher. We’re confident his expertise and vision will propel us toward new heights in 2025.
"It has been an honor to work alongside Colin as the Head Coach of Annapolis Blues FC these past two seasons. I'm looking forward to year 3 and helping Colin in building another great team to make our fans and all of Annapolis proud once again!" adds Fred Matthes, General Manager - Men's Team
Please join us in welcoming Coach Herriot back for another exciting season. Let’s show him the unwavering support that makes Annapolis Blues FC truly special. Together, we’ll make this season one to remember!
Stay tuned for more updates as we prepare to kick off the season. Thank you for being part of the Blues family—your passion fuels our success!
Record-breaking Annapolis Blues FC adds a women’s soccer team
A pre-professional women’s soccer team is coming to Annapolis in the summer.
The Annapolis Blues FC, which recently shattered attendance records for the National Premier Soccer League, announced last week it was adding a women’s team to begin competition in the 2025 season.
Having a women’s team will allow the club to have a larger community impact, said owner and managing partner Michael Hitchcock.
“I believe the game can be transformational for communities and young people. It’s the beautiful game for a reason, that’s not just what happens on the field,” he said. The team “could not have the maximum if we only had the men’s team.”
On Tuesday, the club announced Jim Gabarra as the women’s team general manager. He has extensive experience in women’s soccer — including as head coach of the Washington Spirit and Sky Blue FC in the National Women’s Soccer League.
The expansion into the women’s game from Annapolis Blues comes as interest in women’s soccer is growing — and being backed up by meaningful investment. The National Women’s Soccer League championship game, between the Orlando Pride and the Spirit, drew a sold-out crowd to the world’s first stadium built specifically for women’s sports and a peak audience of 1.1 million viewers on CBS.
Michele Kang, who owns the Spirit, last month pledged $30 million to US Soccer to create more opportunities for women and girls in the sport, from identifying potential youth players to professional development opportunities for female referees and coaches. The five-year pledge is the largest investment in women’s and girl’s soccer programs, according to US Soccer.
“I’ve been amazed at the growth of the Blues and the addition of a women’s team gives us another reason to watch top tier athletes right here in Annapolis,” Annapolis Mayor Gavin Buckley said in an email. “It’s also a moment for America and the world, where we’ve witnessed the phenomenal growth of women’s teams over the past few years. This team gives us the chance to share that appreciation locally.”
Like the men’s team, the Blues women will play their home games at the Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium in Annapolis. The women’s team will play in the USL W League’s Eastern Conference.
The 2024 season saw the Blues bring tens of thousands of fans to the stands for home games. And while the team lost in the conference championship match to Virginia Dream FC, Annapolis Blues FC finished the 2024 regular season as the top team in the entire NPSL.
“We want to run the women’s team at the same high level we run the men’s team,” Hitchcock said.
The Blues have a record, on the men’s team, that could translate into big results and excitement for the women’s team.
“We’re taking the foundation that’s been set by the men and we’re going to be able to continue to grow the men’s side of the game and we’re very, very optimistic and bullish on what we’re going to be able to do with the women’s team,” Hitchcock said.
At the beginning of the year, Jacob Murrell, an Annapolis Blues player, was drafted from his college team by D.C. United in the first round. He’s had 27 appearances with the pro team and scored one goal.
He scored 10 goals in 10 appearances for the Blues in 2023 and scored the equalizing goal that allowed the team to win the 2023 Mid-Atlantic championships.
Joel Nash, an executive with USL, said the Annapolis Blues have had an “incredible” level of success.
“Annapolis has a clear love for the game, and we look forward to seeing the community support the Blues’ women’s team next summer,” he said in a statement.
Players interested in joining the Annapolis Blues should look for tryouts. Hitchcock said the organization would be announcing a coach in the near future. Tryouts are not set, but will come after a coach is announced, he said.
“It’s going to be good for the community,” he said of adding the women’s team. “I think the two teams will work hand in hand and grow the game of soccer.”
The women’s season begins in May, though games have not been scheduled yet.
Season tickets are available online. A season ticket for the men’s team is $144 and for the women’s team, $110. For a slight discount of $210, you can get a season ticket for both teams.
Annapolis Blues Welcome Jim Gabarra as Women’s Team General Manager!
Ladies and Gentleman!
We are thrilled to announce the appointment of Jim Gabarra as the new General Manager of YOUR Annapolis Blues Women’s Team. Jim brings a wealth of experience, passion, and leadership to the Blues, and we could not be more excited about the future under his guidance.
Jim’s impressive career spans decades of success in women’s soccer, with accomplishments that highlight his deep understanding of the game and commitment to player development. From leading championship teams to fostering young talent, Jim has consistently demonstrated a winning mentality and a dedication to excellence.
If you would like to learn more about Jim’s background, you can do so right HERE!
As we look to build on our proud history and set new standards for success, we are confident that Jim’s vision and expertise will help elevate our Women’s program to new heights. He is eager to connect with the Blues family and share his plans for a bright and promising future.
Please join us in giving Jim Gabarra a warm Blues welcome! Together, let’s show him what makes this community so special as we embark on this exciting new chapter.
Stay tuned for updates and opportunities to meet Jim in the coming weeks. As always, thank you for your unwavering support of the Blues.
Here’s to a bold and successful journey ahead!
Annapolis Blues Expand Organization By Welcoming a Women’s Team!
Annapolis, Md. & Tampa, Fla. – The United Soccer League announced today that Annapolis Blues FC is set to join the USL W League beginning in the 2025 season.
Annapolis Blues was founded in 2022 as a men’s pre-professional club, launching with a campaign that saw thousands of local soccer fans vote on the name and crest. The
club’s mission is to grow the sport in Annapolis through its community-first philosophy and supportive fanbase.
"Annapolis Blues are excited to continue to grow the world's game in Naptown by launching a USL W League team in 2025,” said Michael Hitchcock, Owner & Managing Partner. “The addition of the women's team will bring more high-level soccer games and fun tailgate opportunities to Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium next summer while providing the chance for local women players to play in front of thousands of fans and represent Annapolis against some of the best players in the region."
Hitchcock has prior experience in professional soccer all across the United States, having served in various roles at DC United, Colorado Rapids, LA Galaxy, and FC Dallas. The team’s ownership group also includes former U.S. Men’s National Team midfielder Kyle Beckerman, renowned sports broadcaster Dave Johnson, Annapolis’ local Rise Up Coffee Roasters owner Brandon Bartlett, and additional Annapolis community and business leaders.
Annapolis Blues will play its home matches at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium, located in Annapolis, Maryland, as a member of the Eastern Conference.
“Annapolis Blues has seen an incredible level of success in its short history, and we’re excited to have the team join the W League,” said Joel Nash, SVP of Youth and Pre-Professional Properties. “Annapolis has a clear love for the game, and we look forward to seeing the community support the Blues’ women’s team next summer.”
To learn more about Annapolis Blues FC, visit the club’s website, Instagram, and X.
