2020–21 Maryland Bobcats FC season explained

Club:Maryland Bobcats FC
Season:2020–21 NISA
Chrtitle:President
Chairman:Jay Saba
Mgrtitle:Head coach
Manager:Samuel Okpodu
Stadium:Maryland SoccerPlex
Germantown, Maryland
League:NISA
League Result:Fall

Did not compete
Spring: 5th

Cup1:Playoffs
Cup1 Result:Fall

Did not compete
Spring: Did not qualify

Cup2:Legends Cup
Cup2 Result:7th place
Cup3:U.S. Open Cup
Cup3 Result:Did not qualify
League Topscorer:James Sesay: 5
Season Topscorer:James Sesay: 6
Largest Win:MSFC 1–3 MBFC (June 19)
MBFC 3–1 1904 (June 26)
Largest Loss:MBFC 0–2 LAF (May 15)
American:true
Prevseason:N/A
Nextseason:2021–22

The 2020–21 Maryland Bobcats FC season was the club's first in the National Independent Soccer Association and first as a professional team.

Overview

Following an application in late July 2020, Maryland Bobcats FC was admitted into the National Independent Soccer Association on October 13, 2020.[1] [2] The team had previously been members in leagues such as the United Premier Soccer League, where it went undefeated and won a national championship in fall 2019, and the National Premier Soccer League.[3] Prior to officially joining NISA, Maryland competed in the inaugural NISA Independent Cup as a member of the NPSL and took part as a member of the Mid-Atlantic Region. Additionally, the team played a friendly against NISA member Chattanooga FC following the conclusion of the fall 2019 season.[4]

On August 14, 2020 Maryland also joined in the Eastern Premier Soccer League, an amateur league affiliate of NISA, and began fielding a reserve team in it in spring 2021.[5]

On March 24, 2021, former Nigeria women's national football team manager Samuel Okpodu was named head coach for 2021.[6]

Roster

Staff

Transfers

In

Pos.PlayerSigned fromDetailsDateSource
10 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer[7] [8] [9]
15 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer
14 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer
9 FC Baltimore ChristosFree transfer
16 Loyola GreyhoundsFree transfer
23 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer[10]
11 Wakefield A.F.C.Free transfer[11]
6 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer[12]
2 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer[13] [14]
20 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer[15]
22 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer[16]
8 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer[17]
94 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer[18]
30 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer[19]
1 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer[20]
29 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer[21] [22]
77 Loyola GreyhoundsFree transfer[23]
99 NTX RayadosFree transfer[24]
12 Germantown City FCFree transfer[25]
18 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer[26]
19 Tatung F.C.Free transfer[27]
7 Vandrezzer FCFree transfer[28]
5 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer[29]
24 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer[30]
3 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer[31]
4 C.D. Fuerte San FranciscoFree transfer[32]
28 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer[33]
13 Maryland Bobcats FC (UPSL)Free transfer[34]
17 Ohio Wesleyan Battling BishopsFree transfer[35]
26 SV Darmstadt 98Free transfer[36]
21 Philadelphia Lone Star FCFree transfer[37]
25 Loudoun United FCFree transfer[38]
27 FC Baltimore ChristosFree transfer[39] [40]
47 Maryland Bobcats FC IIFree transfer[41]

Competitions

NISA Independent Cup

Prior to joining NISA, the Bobcats were announced as one of the 11 non-association teams taking part in the inaugural NISA Independent Cup on July 1.[42] The regional tournament acted as both a pre-season and chance to "provide a platform for professional and amateur independent clubs to play together on a national stage."

Maryland was drawn into the Mid-Atlantic Region alongside the New York Cosmos, NISA expansion side New Amsterdam FC, and fellow NPSL side FC Baltimore Christos.

On July 24, NISA announced that the Mid-Atlantic Region tournament was postponed due to a surge of COVID-19 cases in Maryland and the subsequent closing of the Maryland SoccerPlex to professional sports.[43] On July 28, NISA announced a majority of the region's games would be played at Evergreen Sportsplex in Leesburg, Virginia.[44] Following a weather postponement that forced the Bobcat's final game to be played at a neutral site, the team won the Mid-Atlantic Region title on October 10 when the Cosmos and FC Baltimore played to a 2–2 draw allowing Maryland to finish atop the table via goal differential.[45]

Matches

2020 Fall Season

Initial details for the NISA Fall 2020 season were released on June 4, 2020.[46] Maryland did not take part in the fall in an official capacity.

2021 Spring Season

NISA Legends Cup

NISA announced initial spring season plans in early February 2021, including starting the season with a tournament in Chattanooga, Tennessee with a standard regular season to follow.[47] [48] The tournament, now called the NISA Legends Cup, was officially announced on March 10 and is scheduled to run between April 13 and 25.[49] All nine NISA members teams taking part in the Spring were divided into three team groups and played a round robin schedule. The highest placing group winner automatically qualified for the tournament final, while the second and third highest finishing teams overall played one-another in a semifinal to determine a second finalist.

The Bobcats were drawn into Group 1 alongside Michigan Stars FC and the returning San Diego 1904 FC.

Matches

Regular season

The Spring Season schedule was announced on March 18 with each association member playing eight games, four home and four away, in a single round-robin format.[50]

Matches

U.S. Open Cup

See main article: 2021 U.S. Open Cup. As a team playing in a recognized professional league, Maryland would normally be automatically qualified for the U.S. Open Cup. However, with the 2021 edition shorted due to the COVID-19 pandemic, NISA has only been allotted 1 to 2 teams spots.[51] On March 29, U.S. Soccer announced 2020 Fall Champion Detroit City FC as NISA's representative in the tournament.[52]

Squad statistics

Appearances and goals

|-! colspan="14" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center"| Goalkeepers|-! colspan="14" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center"| Defenders|-! colspan="14" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center"| Midfielders|-! colspan="14" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center"| Forwards|-! colspan="14" style="background:#dcdcdc; text-align:center"| Left during season|-|}

Goal scorers

width=60Placewidth=60Positionwidth=60Nationwidth=60Numberwidth=150Namewidth=150Legends Cupwidth=150Spring Seasonwidth=80Total
1 FW99James 'Pele' Sesay156
2 FW10Kay Banjo123
3 MF12Bryan Argueta112
4 MF27Khalid Balogun011
MF77Nico Brown101

Disciplinary record

NumberNationPositionNameLegends CupSpring SeasonTotal
5 DFJavon Dawkins102030
9 FWTunde Akinlosotu100010
12 MFBryan Argueta102030
16 DFDavey Mason100010
21 MFYaya Fane202040
22 MFAlex Kao002020
25 DFJake Dengler001010
26 MFJosselin Possian001010
30 GKChristian Caulker210021
47 FWTaylor Gray001010
77 MFNico Brown102030
94 DFTrey Cooper003131
99 FWJames 'Pele' Sesay212041

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Andrews . Kyle J. . ‘For all’: Maryland Bobcats FC offers UMBC flavor, salute to Black Lives Matter movement and other local ties . baltimoresun.com . 21 March 2021.
  2. Web site: NISA Officially Welcomes Maryland Bobcats FC . nisasoccer.com . 21 March 2021.
  3. Web site: Queen . Michelle . Council Recognizes National Champion Maryland Bobcats Soccer Team . Montgomery Community Media . 21 March 2021 . 10 March 2020.
  4. Web site: Red Wolves win final match; Chattanooga FC closes season with home loss . timesfreepress.com . 21 March 2021 . 24 October 2020.
  5. Web site: FC . Maryland Bobcats . Maryland Bobcats FC to Join EPSL for 2020/21 Season . Maryland Bobcats FC . 21 March 2021 . en . 14 August 2020.
  6. Web site: Oludare . Shina . Sam Okpodu: Ex-Nigeria international named as Maryland Bobcats manager Goal.com . www.goal.com . 25 March 2021.
  7. Web site: FC . Maryland Bobcats . Maryland Bobcats FC Sign Forward Kay Banjo as First Professional Signing In Club History . Maryland Bobcats FC . 17 March 2021 . en . 1 February 2021.
  8. Web site: Anderson . Jason . Tuesday Freedom Kicks: Arriola to Swansea, USWNT SheBelieves roster, and more . Black And Red United . 18 March 2021 . en . 2 February 2021 . Former UMBC star Kay Banjo, after a few years playing with the Pittsburgh Riverhounds, is the first player to sign a pro deal with the Maryland Bobcats, who will play their first season in NISA this year..
  9. Web site: FC . Maryland Bobcats . Maryland Bobcats FC Sign First 5 Players for 2021 NISA Season . Maryland Bobcats FC . 17 March 2021 . en . 9 February 2021.
  10. Web site: Maryland Bobcats FC sign M/F Levi Houapeu to first professional roster . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLCfEUJg2tw . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021.
  11. Web site: M/F Bryce Orsini signs with Maryland Bobcats FC for 2021 . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLFDyfsgtby . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 9 February 2021.
  12. Web site: Pilawe Patrick Pato signs for Maryland Bobcats FC first professional season in NISA . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLHongXLd3n . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 10 February 2021.
  13. Web site: D Philip Blystone signs with Maryland Bobcats FC for 2021 NISA Season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLKNl2DpSjI . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 11 February 2021.
  14. Web site: Anderson . Jason . Friday Freedom Kicks: DCU teases new kit amid Lucho talks with Cincy, plus Trinity Rodman and more . Black And Red United . 18 March 2021 . en . 12 February 2021 . The Maryland Bobcats weren’t left out as they build their squad for their first season in NISA:.
  15. Web site: F Eduardo "Huevi" Jimenez signs for 2021 NISA season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLMyXe6JWcj . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 12 February 2021.
  16. Web site: M Alex Kao signs for 2021 NISA season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLUS6S6rBUD . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 15 February 2021.
  17. Web site: M Sammy Kahsai signs for 2021 NISA season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLXFWULrxno . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 16 February 2021.
  18. Web site: D Trey "Trippi" Cooper signs for 2021 NISA season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLZxJxpHl0t . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 17 February 2021.
  19. Web site: GK Christian Caulker signs for 2021 NISA Season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLcPDiFFz_i . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 18 February 2021.
  20. Web site: GK Joel Isyaq signs for 2021 NISA Season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLe68CsJwZ0 . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 19 February 2021.
  21. Web site: Sam Edoung-Biyo signs for 2021 NISA Season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLmiRhXr4O6 . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 22 February 2021.
  22. Web site: Edoung-Biyo C’13 Agrees to Deal with NISA’s Maryland Bobcats FC . Sewanee Athletics . 18 March 2021 . en . 25 February 2021 . 10 March 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210310102303/https://www.sewaneetigers.com/sports/msoc/2020-21/releases/202102231kn45z . dead .
  23. Web site: Nico Brown signs for 2021 NISA Season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLm9nHulxqd . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 22 February 2021.
  24. Web site: James Pele Sesay signs for 2021 NISA Season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLo8pYCMs5I . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 23 February 2021.
  25. Web site: Bryan Argueta signs for 2021 NISA season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLreAQZDlg2 . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 24 February 2021.
  26. Web site: Kingsley Onwuka signs for 2021 NISA season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLsAUVKHLHJ . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 24 February 2021.
  27. Web site: Luis Fernando Galo Osorio signs for 2021 NISA Season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLuGMxtMKnN . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 25 February 2021.
  28. Web site: D Medo "Mo" Wilfred signs for 2021 NISA Season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLuoiyoJ9hc . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 25 February 2021.
  29. Web site: D Javon Dawkins signs for 2021 NISA Season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLwnrUILLig . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 26 February 2021.
  30. Web site: M Andy Alvarado signs for 2021 NISA Season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLxUMWEpOtt . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 26 February 2021.
  31. Web site: D Morian Moussi signs for 2021 . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLzPzgogig3 . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 27 February 2021.
  32. Web site: Dylan Ogletree signs for 2021 . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CLz8qQvLHg4 . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 27 February 2021.
  33. Web site: GK Daniel Olofinsua signed for 2021 NISA Season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CL4nK30lP-k . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 1 March 2021.
  34. Web site: M Emilio Torres signs for 2021 . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CL5M5MHJ4az . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 1 March 2021.
  35. Web site: Adam Yingling signs for 2021 NISA Season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CMiBmRspr5d . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 18 March 2021 . 17 March 2021.
  36. Web site: Josselin Possian signs for 2021 . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CMmzIZ1r_MP . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 19 March 2021 . 19 March 2021.
  37. Web site: M Yaya Fane signs for 2021 NISA Season . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CNaugZnJaPh . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 9 April 2021 . 8 April 2021.
  38. Web site: D Jake Dengler signs for 2021 . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/COvsxJLt9gc . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 22 May 2021 . 11 May 2021.
  39. Web site: F Khalid Balogun signs for 2021 . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CPWKWD9ATCA . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 2 June 2021 . 26 May 2021.
  40. Web site: Khalid Balogun ‘20 Signs with Maryland Bobcats FC . St. Mary's College of Maryland . 2 June 2021 . en . 27 May 2021.
  41. Web site: F Taylor Gray signs for 2021 . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/CPYeJ5gD3WV . 2021-12-24 . limited. Instagram . Maryland Bobcats FC . 2 June 2021 . 27 May 2021.
  42. Web site: NISA Independent Cup . www.nisasoccer.com . 6 July 2020.
  43. Web site: NISA Independent Cup Mid-Atlantic Region Update . www.nisasoccer.com . 25 July 2020.
  44. Web site: NISA Independent Cup Schedule Update . New York Cosmos . 7 August 2020.
  45. Web site: Dieterle . Marcus . Maryland Bobcats FC soccer team goes professional . Baltimore Fishbowl . 20 March 2021 . 19 October 2020.
  46. Web site: NISA Fall Schedule Update . www.nisaofficial.com . 14 March 2021.
  47. Web site: MacCoon . Patrick . Finley Stadium to host 13-day pro soccer tournament to kick off NISA's spring season . timesfreepress.com . 11 March 2021.
  48. Web site: NISA Kicking Off 2021 Spring Season with Tournament in Chattanooga . WALV . 11 March 2021 . 13 April 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210413191301/https://www.espnchattanooga.com/2021/02/03/nisa-kicking-off-2021-spring-season-with-tournament-in-chattanooga-2/ . dead .
  49. Web site: NISA Announces Schedule for Legends Cup Spring Tournament . www.nisaofficial.com . 11 March 2021.
  50. Web site: NISA Announces Spring Season Schedule . www.nisaofficial.com . 18 March 2021.
  51. Web site: Battista . Michael . 2021 US Open Cup format: Tournament shrinks due to COVID-19 pandemic . TheCup.us . 14 March 2021.
  52. Web site: Straus . Brian . U.S. Soccer Trims 2021 Open Cup, Finalizes How Entrants Are Chosen . Sports Illustrated . 3 April 2021 . en-us.

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