Written by: Edwin Pintor

October 1, 2021 (Boyds, MD) – The Bobcats make the trip to Hamtramck, Michigan this Saturday night looking to bounce back from a frustrating loss at Championship Stadium last Sunday. Earlier in the season, Detroit visited the Germantown SoccerPlex and left with a statement 0-4 win against the Bobcats. The Bobcats will look to end their three-game losing streak and seek a positive result at Detroit City this Saturday. 

Detroit City currently sits top of the league with 25 points, nine points ahead of second-place LA Force. Detroit City is coming from a 1-6 win at New Amsterdam this past Wednesday night. The team will finalize a three-game week against the Maryland Bobcats, hoping for the perfect nine of nine points week. 

A 1-0 loss to California United Strikers at Championship Stadium in Irvine, California, made it three losses in a row for the Bobcats. It was a tough loss because the entire team believes they could have earned a point or three as the team had opportunities to score; however, they could not find the back of the net. If any team knows how to bounce back, it’s the Maryland Bobcats. The Bobcats dominated the first thirty minutes of the previous encounter. The game against New Amsterdam was also dominated heavily by the Bobcats. Many chances were created however, no one was able to capitalize on the opportunities. The same story was told last Sunday against Cal United. The Bobcats were able to produce opportunities but did not finish. The team knows this is an ongoing issue and is working on finishing plays and scores. 

Score goals, score goals, and score more goals. Khalid Balogun knows that to win matches, the strikers must capitalize on every ball they receive. “It is frustrating at times to see that we generate the opportunities but fail to put them into the net. We know our job as strikers are to make goals and having three goals scored in September is inexcusable. We strikers live off making goals, and if we do not make them, the other team will. I know that making a goal in the first minutes of the game can help us run the rhythm of the game, and that is what we are aiming for.” One thing has been made clear to the entire team this week; if the team is not united and does not believe in themselves, the team will not win. Therefore, everyone on the team is going into Saturday’s match with the winning mentality.

“We have to work together. I know the team is excited to play against the best team in the league, but we must work on our game plans and helping each other be the best team we can be. I know that this team has not performed to its peak yet, not even close. Mentally we know there is little to no difference between the two squads, and at the end of the day, it is a 90-minute game 11 vs. 11, and nothing else matters while on the field, only what we have practiced and going out to perform well and get a positive result.” Balogun also mentioned that while they have been focusing on creative play, the team that scores more goals will win and wants the fans to know that the goals will come at the end of the day. 

Coach Sam will have most of his players available for Saturday’s match. ‘Pele’ Sesay was unable to play last Sunday due to an injury in the quad. Sesay will be a game-day decision. Alongside ‘Pele” Sesay, some more players will not be traveling with the team to Michigan due to injuries. 

An opportunity like no other, the Maryland Bobcats know how important it is to come out of Keyworth stadium with a win. The squad is committed to improving and going against Detroit City, especially after their first game against Detroit City earlier in the season. “Do not be fooled. We understand results have not gone our way, but we have improved vastly from our first meeting earlier in the season, and we will go to Keyworth Stadium with the mentality of winning the game and correcting the ship.” Words from coach Sam Okpodu. 

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:30 PM EST/ 4:30 PM PT. The match can be streamed via Detroit City’s website or official YouTube page or follow the minute-by-minute action live on Twitter via @MDBobcatsFC.

About Maryland Bobcats FC

The Maryland Bobcats Football Club was founded in 2009. Based in Montgomery County in Maryland, it is a fully minority-owned club and Maryland’s only outdoor professional soccer team. MBFC has a “one family” mentality. From the youngest player to the most experienced youth teams to First Team, players support, push and encourage each other to play the right way. Beyond soccer, Bobcats FC helps, inspires, gives back, and supports the local community, comes to games, and cheers them on. For more information about Maryland Bobcats FC, visit marylandbobcatsfc.com or contact at evan@marylandbobcatsfc.com. Follow MBFC on Twitter @MDBobcatsFC and Instagram @mdbobcatsfc.

About NISA

The National Independent Soccer Association was founded in 2017 to bring professional soccer to every city in the United States. A pro league member of U.S. Soccer, NISA focuses on a model based on meritocracy, independent clubs controlling their league, clubs owning their intellectual property, all without the barrier of territorial rights. Sanctioned by the U.S. Soccer Federation, NISA also runs the mid-summer Independent Cup, open to independent professional and amateur clubs. For more information about NISA, visit NISAOfficial.com or contact info@nisasoccer.com. Follow NISA on Twitter @NISALeague and Instagram @nisasoccer.