Impeccable Timing

Nothing like extolling the praises of an entity that ceased to exist the previous day.  Having missed every game last season, attending a Real Maryland match next year will not be an option:

Real Maryland F.C

Hello Everyone,

How are you? I hope this email finds you well.

I am sad to inform you that Real Maryland FC will suspend operations for the 2013 Season after a great 5-year run.

The ownership group has decided to forgo next season as they have turned their attentions in another direction.

I have been working this past month with the USL in trying to find a new ownership group for the Real Maryland FC Franchise.

The turn-around time for a new group to come in for the 2013 Season has proven to be too short of a window for potential investors.

The Rights are now with the USL and interested investors should contact them directly.

While this is a sad and unfortunate turn of events, I don’t believe that this will be the last time the area will see a USL PRO/PDL/W-League Franchise. I am sure 2014 will see something stirring about; I hope.

This will be one of my last emails in addition to a report on how the last three remaining Real Maryland FC Monarch Teams do in the up-coming USL Super Y League North American National Finals this December.

Please help me wish the U12 RMFC SYL Boys (Coach Luis Calderon), U13 RMFC SYL Boys (Coach Julio Arjona) and the U15 RMFC SYL Boys (Coach Tim Francis) the best of luck in the finals.

At this time, I would like to say THANK YOU to everyone who helped out with Real Maryland FC over the course of the past 5 years. Without you, I wouldn’t have been able to do any of this.

Lastly, the office will be open today (Wednesday), tomorrow (Thursday) and Friday from 10am – 3pm. I am cleaning out the office and all gear must go!

All gear items will be on sale for $10 each – warm up pants, warm up jackets, rain jackets, training tops, polo’s, sweatshirts, blankets, banners, socks & shorts, medals, hats, professional game jerseys, replica game jerseys and game shorts are some of the items that will be available. These items will make great holiday gifts and memorabilia. All items will be sold at a first come, first serve basis.

Please keep playing the game like there is no tomorrow, support one another and you will reach great heights.

I hope to see all of you again soon.

Thank you everyone.

Dave

David B. Noyes
General Manager
Real Maryland FC
12114 B Heritage Park Circle
Silver Spring, MD 20906
P: 301-933-6460
E: gm@realmaryland.us
W: www.realmaryland.us
F: Real Maryland FC Facebook Page

Whatever else might be said about the club, Real Maryland afforded a platform by which soccer players -- including Draymond Washington -- could either launch or sustain their professional careers.

With Real Maryland alum Mason Trafford again anchoring the back line, IFK Mariehamn recorded the club's best ever position in the Veikkausliiga table -- fourth on 51 points in 33 matches.  Trafford is out of contract, with some hope he will return to the club, and has had a remarkable run in Finland regardless.

Iceland's Thor Akureyri also had a terrific season, including continental competition in the Europa League and a return to the top flight after topping the second division table.  Real Maryland alum (and IFK Mariehamn dissident) Joe Funicello played a big part in the club's run and the team recently announced an agreement for his return next year.  Joe will be joined -- again -- by someone we saw in the stands at Richard Montgomery, as Josh Wicks has also signed up for another year with the club. 

And more recent Real Maryland alum Jake Pace headed home the winning goal yesterday that sent the Terrapins back to the College Cup as Maryland avenged Louisville's win at Ludwig in the tournament last season.

Four players:  NASL Champions, fourth in Finland's Veikkausliiga, first in Iceland's First Division, and in the NCAA men's college soccer final four.  Although Real Maryland may not have been a success as a financial operation, it had an impact and will be missed.

Icelandic (and Aland Islandic) Football News

On Saturday, Thor Akureyri secured its return to the Icelandic top flight in 2013 with a 3-1 victory over Viking.  Three Americans were in the starting eleven for Thor:  Real Maryland alum Giuseppe (Joe) Funicello, D.C. United alum Josh Wicks, and former Connecticut Huskie and Wilmington Hammerhead, Chukwudi Chijindu.

There are several Americans plying their trade in the Icelandic second division this season, including the remarkable N.C. State alum Kris Byrd, who plays for Hottur.  Oddly, there is a relative dearth of Americans in the Landsbankadeild, the Icelandic top flight, but perhaps Joe, Josh, and Chukwudi will stick around to change that next season.

Joe and Josh's former team, Finland's IFK Mariehamn, and their former teammate, Real Maryland alum Mason Trafford, are enjoying a great season in the Veikkausliiga.  Mariehamn is currently fourth in the league table after 24 matches -- the highest position the club has ever finished in Finland's top flight -- and is mounting a serious challenge for a place in the European tournaments with nine games to go.