Community Shield Match against MD Bobcats FC
Annapolis Blues FC Community Shield Match Announced along with NPSL Mid-Atlantic Schedule
Maryland Bobcats FC of the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) named as the opponent for the Blues in their 2nd Annual Community Shield Charity Match prior to the 2024 NPSL season.
Annapolis Blues FC, have announced an agreement with Maryland Bobcats FC , a professional Soccer Club playing out of Germantown, Maryland to be their opponent in their Community Shield Match for local charities to be played on May 15th at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium. Game time is set for 7:00 PM
Annapolis has just announce their 2024 National Premier Soccer League (NPSL) Schedule for the season (www.annapolisblues.com/schedule), and as a tradition for the second year Club, one of their first opportunities to see the new team in action will be the Community Shield Match as a pre-season game in which proceeds from the game will go to various local charities in the Annapolis and Anne Arundel County area.
Blues Head Coach Colin Herriot, who leads the team again this season after a successful 9-1-1 Regular Season Championship and Playoff wins to claim the Mid Atlantic Conference Championship in 2023, remarked “ The team is excited on the great news that we will be playing the Maryland Bobcats in our pre-season Community Shield match. This will be a tremendous challenge for our guys and fantastic exposure for them vs a quality opponent ! "
Maryland Bobcats FC play in the 3rd Division of US Professional Soccer in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) and are based out of Germantown, Maryland. They have competed in NISA for 4 seasons and finished last season with a record of 11-3-10. The Club’s history dates back 10 years in various leagues and the Bobcats have a National Championship to their list of accomplishments while playing in the United Premier Soccer League (UPSL) back in 2019.
Bobcat’s President, Jide Saba, expanded on their opportunity to play in Annapolis vs the Blues, “They have done a tremendous job in Annapolis both on and off the pitch with the Blues organization, and this will be an honor to play in their Second Community Shield and we look forward to a great match! We know our fans are also excited to see our two Clubs play each other, and have been talking about a possible match up since last year.”
Head coach, Alex Kao, who is entering his second year leading the team, remarked “This game is all we are about, our community. Annapolis Blue has been incredible this past season and their results on and off the field displays the work the organization has put in place. We are excited about the event.
Bobcat’s General Manager, Mo Gueye, also went on to add “Huge credits to the Blues Organization for hosting us in this special event. Every pass, every tackle, and every goal scored will not only entertain but also serve a greater purpose. I encourage our fans to join us in the stands and together, we can make a difference through our shared love for soccer and our common commitment to giving back.”
The Annapolis Blues Supporters Club, The Bay Bhoys, are run by long-time area Soccer fan, and Annapolis native, Pauly Planzer who knows a thing or two about local rivalries (or ‘derbies’ as they are know in Football parlance). Planzer says, "The Old Bae Brigade, (Supporters Club of Maryland Bobcats FC) and The Bay Bhoys will definitely "bring the Noise" in what will be a spirited, but Friendly match !" ... "And we know the Tailgating will be EPIC, as always !" ...
Annapolis Blues FC Managing Partner and Owner, Michael Hitchcock remarks, "This will be a good experience for our players and great for the Maryland Soccer Community ... We know the Bobcat fans strongly support their Club and expect that many will travel to Annapolis for the match. " Hitchcock not only oversees the Blues, but also five other NPSL Clubs as part of his Playbook Management International consulting firm.
The Community Shield will result in much needed funds that will be donated back to local community charities that have been work with the Blues over the past two years as the Club committed itself to being part of the Community from their outset as an organization.
General Manager of Annapolis Blues FC, Fred Matthes, also adds, "Our Club has always stood for OPPORTUNITY & COMMUNITY ... This match represents both ... A top elite opponent from 3rd Division NISA will give our players the Opportunity to be tested at a higher level, and our Community benefits by local Charities that we have worked with will be receiving proceeds that will result in further helping out their great programs ! "
Annapolis Blues FC will start their second NPSL regular season on May 17 Away at new member Alexandria Rough Diamonds (playing in Washington, DC at Catholic University), and will play their NPSL Home Opener on June 1 vs. another new team, DMV Elite at 7:00 PM, at Navy-Marine Corps Memorial Stadium.
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