Great, it's an orgy of soccer in the DC Area, and jack all nothing in Birmingham, AL. Guess I'll have to do make do cheering on DC United from afar.

I think a team could bring in ~1000/game at the plex just from kids who's games end and dont feel like going home. Could be a nice affiliate for United in the future.

Real Maryland FC? Ugh!

How about - FC Inter Maryland United 1629

It's about time the King of Maryland got off his ass and DID SOMETHING! :)

Agree with DE that the name sucks. I prefer Deportivo Maryland.

Why on earth would they ruin a good Maryland team name by sticking Real on the front? Maryland United has a nice ring to it..

well if there are $$ coming from spain, I'd call the team whatever the money-men want. granted, it's a lame name but money talks.

goff - how come usl, while popular in certain markets, never seems to have taken off a la mls? did they just never try to go "big time" or try and fail? or perhaps they never intended to be top flight ... or is it something else? they certainly seem to have a great network of teams/divisions.

Great network of teams in mostly small markets. Most clubs have modest financial backing, which is reflected in their payrolls and quality of players. There are exceptions, of course, but for the most part, the level of play is middling at best.

This could be a gold mine or a disaster, depends on the marketing and organization.

Well you can bet with Silvino as coach they'll be bad. In ten years with the Royals, did that team ever do anything besides lose and lose badly? You could blame the ownership of the Royals just as much being cheap and using it more as promotion for Mo's business (Total Sports) then to actually develop players. Also Mo was as crooked as they come and constantly lied through his teeth to players. I was involved with the team for the first 2 seasons and the team was a joke. I hope the USL team will have some financial backing but Silvino is he wrong coach for this level. He did have some success as coach of Iberia a local amatuer team that won at least one USASA national championship but that was over a decade ago.

AFC Spartak Maryland Rovers

Umm, maybe just a guess, but the proposed name for the club, Real Maryland FC, might have something to do with the fact that certain of its backers are Spanish in origin.

then why the FC? its not real zaragoza fc is it? it almost feels like they are trying to win over too many different markets with the name.
those people out in utah should change their name to Real Salt Lake FC, maybe they might start winning a few games with a name like that. who knows? maybe its not a slew of former united players they need but a snappy name change to follow trends in mls.
this maybe off topic from a usl2 team but the point remains the same, there are no wanderers in any of the leagues in america, why couldn't they call this team atletico maryland wanderers, that way everybody's happy...

To: Yes!

Absolutely hilarious comment and wonderfully succinct!

To others: His point is that simply being Spanish or being backed by Spaniards does not entitle a team to the name "Real." Real (Royal) is an honor bestowed by the ruler of Spain upon a team. I think that Juan Carlos has better things to do than honor a USL2 team in a former English colony.

"There are also five PDL teams in Maryland and Virginia: the Royals, Richmond Kickers Future, Virginia Legacy, Fredericksburg Gunners and Hampton Roads Piranhas."

Save the 13 keystrokes, all of those PDL teams are in Virginia. Maryland doesn't host a PDL team anymore.

Good point.

Done.

They've already lost me with that stupid name. I'll save my pesetas and take them to someone who doesn't feel the need to steal someone else's tradition.

AC Bayern Maryland Lokomotiv

noble-

Actually, Real Madrid's full name is Real Madrid CF (Club de Futbol), so you're wrong.

I-270-

Sorry, I don't think the team owners in the U.S. have to be "entitled" by the King of Spain to name their team as they see fit, be it for marketing purposes or as a nod to various teams' names in Spain.

Entropy,

You are correct, they don't need permission to name the team Real. But why stop there? Name the team "The Official Association Football Club of Her Royal Highness Queen Elizabeth II and Prince Consort Phillip, Duke of Edinburgh." That way they pretend to be English, Scottish, and Greek (I know, I know. PCP ceded his stake in Greek royalty)

The point is that naming an American team "Real" is a joke. And the joke is on the silly dilettante Americans.

I sense the entropy of this argument increasing.

Just sign Scott Poirier! (wondering if anyone knows -that- story)

To Owen Dylan

Would you like some cheese with your whine ?

Sour grapes show you to be the pathetic person you are.

Maryland FC (Football Club)is a good name.

To Paul:

Those are pretty harsh words for a guy who just might be telling it like it is or at least, the way that he believes it to be based on what he saw.

I don't know the guy from the Man in the moon but if he is just relaying what he witnessed then the charge of "sour grapes" and calling him "pathetic" come up way short.

I had heard rumors similar to what he posted from other people in the Royals' organization. Maybe there is some truth to it. The jury is still out.

The name is dreadful. Seriously. I wish the team well. Soccerplex is an expensive place to play and a high school automatically give off a "subpar" impression.

With Crystal Palace USA/Baltimore struggling at the gate, I can only imagine how well a new USL D2 club will draw. I hope that it works out for the club but I am a little suspect about the fact that a USL approval was already obtained. That isn't typical for USL D1 or D2 since they have become more rigid in granting expansion franchises. Then there are the "territorial rights" that the USL grants.

I would love it if the club is a success. I will go and try and support them if they ever step on the field higher than PDL level.

Yeah the name sucks, but how will they pronounce it?

I was under the impression that Crystal Palace had signed an agreement that gave them exclusive rights to a professional football team in Maryland. Is this not correct? BTW MDFC is the way to go.

To: owendylan
I love how people just sit back and cut people down that are at least attempting to do something in the sport we all love. True Silvino is no longer with Royals, but he is a friend and always will be. He was always committed and gave it 100%. What is your back round in the sport? What is the highest playing level you reached? Who have you coached? Who have you played with? What have you done for the sport with your time and money? Someone once said "the quickest way for a billionaire to become a millionaire is to invest in pro soccer in the USA". We have focused our efforts over the years on our youth program which will feed the adult teams, without foundation the club is nothing. Check out our youth teams and what they have done over the years. We feel that we have to start from the bottom up, but that takes time especially with the league electing to place so many teams close together, we are committed to this program and the concept of having the pyramid from the bottom to the top. How many USL pro teams have folded since the Royals started in 1998? It is not always about spending money on players, there was a D2 team that spent around $300,000.00 in one season played in the league final and did not return the following season. Over the years the Royals helped some MLS players jump start their careers, Bryan Namoff (DC United), Troy Perkins (DC United), Curt Onalfo (Head Coach of Kansas City Wizards, US National Olympic Team, DC United, San Jose Clash, LA Galaxy), Tom Presthus (DC United), AJ Wood (DC United), Santino Quaranta (DC United, LA Galaxy), Judah Cooks (DC United), Mark Simpson (Assistant Coach of DC United, DC United.
Instead of cutting people down that are trying ask how can you help, but that takes commitment, time, effort and money which I guess you only have the time. As for promoting my business (TSP) through the team, I guess you are correct, the banner at the 7 home games brings me all the customers I need.
question, Which business do you think funds the other?
How much of an ivestment has been put in the club over the 10 years?
You are correct again about telling the truth to the players, I did tell a few players in the past that they were good when they really were not. Let me know when you are ready to make a difference, but in the mean time we will keep on and not wait for you, if that is ok with you. Thanks

To: Jay L

"I will go and try and support them " we need more of that kind of attitude. The league has been working with the group since last year, the MD group wanted the DC area to compete with DC United, but that territory belongs to the Royals so they ended up in MD .
Some of the challenges for any team are a place to call home and a fan base, that is why it is important to have the support of a youth club.
The Royals will most likely bring back the pro team for 2008 which will complete the soccer pyramid. U13 - U20, PDL and D2 Pro

"the MD group wanted the DC area to compete with DC United"

Hilarious.

That is what I was told

Owner:

Thanks a lot for your take. It was very informative and offered another perspective. I did see the Royals play when they were in the D3/USL2--not as much as I would like because I lived in Northen PG County and it was a hike unless they played a game at Trinity or the RFK Aux. field). Between DCU, the USLD1 side that I support(Puerto Rico Islanders), being a Crystal Palace Baltimore inaugural season ticket holder, trying to get to some W-League Washington Freedom games before the move back to WUSA--I have to draw a line somewhere; there just isn't enough time in a week, especially with a family. I just happen to make it PDL. PDL is an important product and opportunity for those involved.

I will go to the games, I will pay to watch their games and will enjoy every minute of it. U guys can put them down, wish them bad but u r not true soccer fans.
Real Maryland or Maryland soccer stars, it does not matter. I am just happy to have a team close to home so I can take my son with me and have some fun.
Thanks Real Maryland, I wish you the best u can count on me to help.

I believe that a coach/owner is responsible for the product that they
put on the field and for the past 10 yrs the Royals have done a lousy job.
The Royals have the distinction of being the fist team to lose to the Eastern Shore Sharks( a team that was 0-16 in their first season ).
Your piece about Bryan Namoff, Tony Perkins, etc is absolute garbage, you and the rest of the world know that those player were sent to Royals to get some match experience. In your 10 years, how many players did you discover/develop and sent them to play at a higher level? None, not one!
Silvino maybe a coach, but he is not a good judge of talent. The DC area is full of talented player and he was never able to get them to player for the Royals. I was so shocked when I saw Wh..ney M playing for the Royals ( a pro soccer team).
Get back to the USL2 in 2008 and I'll donate my time to make your team a winner on and off the field in this area.......

Nice to see people are experts at telling others how wrong they are when they don't have to spend their own money to prove the point.

If you are so sure how to run a team start one and we will all applaud your success in 10 years time.

NOVA
Very poor response.

Thing is, I could not be bothered wasting a good response on a moaning beggar like you.

Nova
From your response it seems like you are part
on the Royals organization. You called me a
"moaning beggar" without knowing who I am.
Just because I do not agree with what the Royals
do in terms of putting a good product on the
field, I'm called a name. I see why Royals
cannot get fans to come out to their games.

The term fan indicates that I am a fan of the NOVA teams and as such get behind both the Royals & Majestics.

I am nothing to do with either organization other than someone who enjoys going to the games.

"Moaning beggar" refers to the point that like so many in life, you seem to be able to tell people what is wrong, but do not offer any decent solutions.

Again, if you know the answers form your own team and see how well you do.

Do you tell everyone disagrees with the Redskins QB
to go out and buy a NFL team.
This is my last comment to you on this subject, as you
cannot think outside the box.

A coach's main responsibility is to the team, to develop the team to its fullest potential. Not to develop individuals to reach the fullest of thier potential, that is the responsibility of the individual. No coach can be fully responsible for a player not reaching thier fullest potential. A Coach only seeks out individuls with potential who can benifit team, and encourage them by pushing them towards thier potential. A player who doesn't strive to reach their potential either lacks the heart, the desire, or the moral fiber. You can be a good judge of talent and find players with potential, however being able to determine on first glance, who has heart and desire, is like being able to tell who is mute just by looking at them.....In My opinion a coach can only do so much, ultimately responsibility must fall on players. Through my personal contact with both the owner and the coach, I know they are both dedicated to the development and success of the new USL team, and that their hard work, and their knowledge of both business and soccer will prove valuable in making this new local franchise successful and lasting. I will be thier to support the new team, either by playing or cheering....

A coach's main responsibility is to the team, to develop the team to its fullest potential. Not to develop individuals to reach the fullest of thier potential, that is the responsibility of the individual. No coach can be fully responsible for a player not reaching thier fullest potential. A Coach only seeks out individuls with potential who can benifit team, and encourage them by pushing them towards thier potential. A player who doesn't strive to reach their potential either lacks the heart, the desire, or the moral fiber. You can be a good judge of talent and find players with potential, however being able to determine on first glance, who has heart and desire, is like being able to tell who is mute just by looking at them.....In My opinion a coach can only do so much, ultimately responsibility must fall on players. Through my personal contact with both the owner and the coach, I know they are both dedicated to the development and success of the new USL team, and that their hard work, and their knowledge of both business and soccer will prove valuable in making this new local franchise successful and lasting. I will be thier to support the new team, either by playing or cheering....

Matchstick,
Funny how your logic works for soccer coaches and not for NBA and NFL coaches.

Soccertime,
With all your apparent and extensive knowledge on the NBA and NFL, or lack there of, you would think that your analytical skills would be put to better use on a football or basketball blog. Soccer is a TEAM sport, just like basketball and football, no one individual player can win on their own. Players without heart and desire in the NBA and NFL will be just as unsuccessful as those in who play soccer and lack these qualities. If you are so against the pick for head coach...............Apply for the Job!!! Make sure to provide the owner with your coaching certifications.

I just don't understand why this team had to be placed in Maryland. Crystal Palace USA already plays most of their games at the USNA and some at the Soccerplex.

Meanwhile, Northern Virginia has nothing (except the Royals.....ew) but it would be such a goldmine to place a team. Richmond is a bit far away to watch a game. And I just don't like Maryland.

Does anybody remember when DC UNITED brought Raul Diaz Arce and Ronal Cerritos to the team? The attendance in each game increased in a very productively way. I'm sure we all are aware of the huge Hispanic soccer community that we have in the VA/DC/MD. All they need to do is look for known Central American players to get good attendance and also putting he word out there about the team. I'm sure this team will have more success than the Crystal Palace Team. Good Luck :-)

Silvino stated that he has already signed Ronald Cerritos to play for Real Maryland FC.
As for Matchstick, I would only need to show my coaching ceftifications if they want to compare it to Silvino's record with the Northern Virginia Royals, 10 years of coaching the Royals with 9 losing seasons. I'm sure the onwer can find someone with a little better track record than that.

soccertime will you like to help Real Maryland fc and soccer in general

Futbol,
Sure, I would love to help Real Maryland FC or any other team in this area. I've attended a few Crystal Palace USA games and I plan to go to Real Maryland FC games when they start playing.
I do help soccer by coaching my kids team at the boys and girls club.