MSSA Cups: Maryland Bays make it a double, add Stewart Cup title with 5-0 win over ASA Charm City

Last year, the Maryland Bays reached the finals of the state’s two historic Cups. They did it again this year, reaching the same finals against the same two opponents, but the result was different. 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 and 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 went 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.

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 due to the snow. 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.