Young soccer player, Glen Burnie, Maryland, July 2012. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
In Maryland, soccer is played by all age groups, and at varying skill levels. The Maryland State Soccer Association oversees six amateur leagues throughout the State, and is an affiliate of the United State Soccer Federation (USSF), the United States Adult Soccer Association, and the U.S. Olympic Committee. Additional levels of skill, ranging from amateur to professional, are included within other USSF affiliates.
Soccer players, North County High School, 10 East 1st Ave., Glen Burnie, Maryland, October 2018. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
Soccer players, North County High School, 10 East 1st Ave., Glen Burnie, Maryland, October 2018. Photo by Diane F. Evartt.
The Baltimore Spirit, part of the National Professional Soccer League (American Conference), formed in 1992. They were renamed the Baltimore Blast in 1998. They won the Championship in 2003-04, 2006, 2008-09, 2013, and 2016-18.
In 2001, the Blast joined the second Major Indoor Soccer League, but the League ceased operations in 2008, and the team joined the National Indoor Soccer League, later known as the third Major Indoor Soccer League. In 2014, the Blast moved to the Professional Arena Soccer League, which was later renamed the Major Arena Soccer League. Early in 2016, the Blast became part of a new League known as the Indoor Professional League, but rejoined the Major Arena Soccer League in August 2016.
The Blast plays at the SECU Arena at Towson University, 7500 Osler Drive, Towson. The arena seats up to 5,200 patrons.
Division I (men's)
Division II (men's)
Division III (men's)
Division I (women's)
Division II (women's)
Division III (women's)
TEAM USA (men's soccer)
Soccer was first played at the summer Olympics in 1900, with women's soccer added in 1996. Since its first olympic competition, the women's Olympic team has won gold medals three times (1996, 2004, 2008).
The next summer Olympics will be held in Paris, France, July 26 to August 11, 2024. The next Paralympics also will be held in Paris, but from August 28 through September 8, 2024.
NATIONAL PREMIER SOCCER LEAGUE
NATIONAL COLLEGIATE ATHLETIC ASSOCIATION (NCAA)
The primary athletic organizer of collegiate Sports, the NCAA structures colleges into three divisions, with schools further organized by conferences.
America East Conference
Big Ten Conference
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Patriot League
Mountain East Conference
Centennial Conference
Coast to Coast Athletic Conference
Landmark Conference
Middle Atlantic Conference
United East Conference
America East Conference
Big Ten Conference
Colonial Athletic Association
Metro Atlantic Athletic Conference
Patriot Conference
Mountain East Conference
Centennial Conference
Coast to Coast Athletic Conference
Colonial States Athletic Conference
Landmark Conference
Middle Atlantic Conference
United East Conference
UNITED STATES SOCCER FEDERATION (USSF)
The United States Soccer Federation is the official governing body of all soccer leagues and teams in the United States. In this capacity, the Federation publishes rules and authorizes the creation and expansion of national leagues. Affiliated leagues include the National Premier Soccer League, the United Soccer Leagues, and the Women's Premier Soccer League. The USSF also organizes and maintains Team USA for the US Olympic Committee.
TEAM USA (women's soccer)
TEAM USA (paralympic soccer)
U.S. OLYMPIC COMMITTEE
The U.S. Olympic Committee is the governing body of all Olympic sports in the United States, and is responsible for the creation and funding of Team USA, which represents the United States in all international soccer competitions, including the World Cup, and is the nation's representative to the Federation Internationale de Football Association (FIFA).
Football Club Frederick, Frederick
LEAGUE TWO
CHESAPEAKE DIVISION
Christos Football Club, Baltimore
Patuxent Football Athletics, PatuxentSUPER Y LEAGUE
, DamascusArundel Soccer Association, Severn
Aspen Hill Soccer Club, Olney
Bethesda Soccer Club, Germantown
Germantown Elite Soccer Club
Next Level Soccer, Bethesda
Real Elite Football Club
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