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Match Preview: Maryland Bobcats FC vs. California Strikers United FC - 11.17.2021

Maryland Bobcats FC Look to Close out the Season with a Win at Home
Published Nov 17, 2021

November 17, 2021 (Boyds, MD) - As the 2021 NISA Fall Season comes to a close, The Bobcats will look to finish as high as they can as 3rd place California United Strikers FC will play in Maryland on November 17. 

After a thriller on the road against Michigan Stars FC, the Bobcats sit 9th after having wait 10 days before their final match will be played. Given the span of time since match week 14, most of the other teams have played games. This bumped MBFC down 2 places since placing 7th after their draw with Michigan. 

In the last meeting between Maryland and California, Cal United went up early on a Christian Thierjung goal in the 2nd minute. While Maryland was able to sure up their defense, they were unable to find the equalizing goal and suffered a tough loss on the road. The best MBFC can do is secure three points in the final game of the season and finish as high as they can on in the National Independent Soccer Association (NISA) table. 

“In a season with so many irregularities whether it was injuries, storm delays and just simply our play sometimes, a win is the only way we can say that the season was a success. Cal United is a good team that was able to fight for the championship until the end and they have a top goal scorer in Nuno.” Said MBFC forward James “Pele” Sesay when asked about the importance of a victory in the final game of the season. 

The biggest threat Cal United has is their forward, Omar Nuno who leads the league in goals with 11. With four goals in his last two games, it is imperative the Bobcats limit the amount of opportunities Nuno gets on Wednesday. A team as defensively stout as the Bobcats can pull off the seemingly impossible task of preventing the forward from adding to his already massive goal tally. 

Going into the final match of the year has everyone buzzing to see a great game at the Maryland Soccer Plex to cap off the club’s first year as a professional side. 

“Everyone is going to want to play [this] Wednesday, that is why I think we have had one of the best training weeks of the year, we all do not know our futures, so we all had a week to prove ourselves that we deserve playtime and a shot at next season with a contract renewal.” Said Sesay.

“I think a bobcat win should be expected because we have been gaining rhythm these last few games and we must culminate the season with a win as a gift to our fans who were always with us in our first year as a professional team.” 

The Bobcats saw one win, one loss, and one draw in their last three games. The most recent being a come from behind draw in stunning fashion. Khalid Balogun coming up big in the 88th minute in that game against Michigan Stars FC. 

In preparation for the rematch against Cal United, MBFC naturally looked to make improvements in their game to maintain their good run of form. When asked what was important to work on going into this week’s match Sesay said 

“Not to panic and not to get into our heads, so many times we have cost ourselves points because we do not know how to play the game correctly. Throughout our week we looked to also talk to each other more throughout transitions, we want to know what we are going to do as soon as the play starts. Finally, I think we must hold ourselves accountable; if one line is not working the entire team is not working. I think we must work on the selfishness football and help because at the end of the day we are a team.” 

Kickoff is scheduled for 7:00pm EST. Tickets can be purchased on the club’s website at https://www.marylandbobcatsfc.com/tickets. Live Streaming is also available on Eleven Sports 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.