Are you ready for some Futbol?

Baltimore, D.C., LIFE, LIFE — By changeup on October 30, 2009 at 2:56 pm

Baltimore/D.C. Sports

By Aaron Cheslock

This could be the best time of year. I know Thanksgiving, Christmas time, summer get a lot of acclaim, which is deserved. But for sports fans, this is really the ultimate holiday. There’s playoff baseball, which hasn’t exactly been thrilling– but a good, hard fought World Series seems likely. Pro Basketball is starting this week and regular seasons for College Football, Pro Football and Hockey are all in full swing. And looking at this weekend, the great match-ups are plentiful. The Ravens play the undefeated Denver Broncos, the Wizards play the Hawks and Nets, and the Yankees and Phillies square off for a pair. But the best game of the weekend isn’t in the Four major pro sports leagues, it’s right down I-95 in the ACC.

The Maryland Terrapins are in the hunt for a national championship. Got your attention?

Maryland Soccer is the #5 team in the nation and seems poised to defend their crown as reigning NCAA D-1 champions.

Maryland set several school-records on its way to the national title last season including wins and shutouts in a season as well as a program-best 16-game winning streak. Head coach Sasho Cirovski is in his 17th season leading Maryland Soccer. Cirvoski’s resume is nothing short of impressive, possessing a 246-105-21 record with the Terrapins, with a pair of national championships, 14 NCAA appearances, three ACC Tournament championships, six appearances in the College Cup, and 15-straight winning seasons. Maryland has been to 14 consecutive NCAA Tournaments while advancing to the final four in six of the last eight seasons.

Ok, so they’re good, really good, now here’s the best part, they play the #12 ranked Virginia Cavaliers at 7:30 p.m. on Halloween, and it’s only eight bucks to go.

Now this area does, believe it or not, have a history of soccer. D.C. United continues to sell out games with no problems and as anyone will tell you who has ever been to a D.C. United game, it’s awesome. Aside from that, A.C. Milan played Chelsea at M&T Bank stadium this summer. Now I am in no way comparing Chelsea to the Terps, but the Ravens sold that game out with no trouble. So locally, the soccer fan base is alive and well, they just need a good game to get the juices flowing. And as two world class organizations put on a show in Baltimore, two top tier teams in the nation are about to collide in College Park.

The Cavaliers, at 10-3-1, ride high heading into PG County, winners of their last three games and coming off a big home win against Boston College. Freshman foreword Will Bates leads the Cavs’ charge scoring in four-straight games and leads the team with six goals this season. A win against Maryland would launch UVA into the top 10 and set up a three team race going into the ACC tournament along with #3 Wake Forest. Speaking of the Demon Deacons, The Terps lost a hard-fought battle at Wake 1-0 on Saturday night at Spry Stadium. Wake Forest’s only goal came courtesy of a penalty kick at 5:32 in the first half. It was the first penalty kick Maryland had surrendered in the 2009 season. Ludwig Field has already had its attendance record broken twice this season as 6,718 fans came out for the Terps’ season opener against UCLA and then a crowd of 6,946 attended in Maryland’s upset win against No. 2 North Carolina on Sept. 22. This match up could produce another record breaking night.

Halloween is sure to be a fun night for all involved. If you happen to be in the College Park area, EJ’s Landing Lounge is having a Costume Party with live music, drink specials and a cheap cover of only five dollars. But for a sports fan, this contest is everything you could ask for to start the occasion, i.e., a perennial powerhouse defending their home turf after a tough loss against an extremely worthy foe. Add to that the fact that it’s Maryland-Virginia, a top ACC rivalry. And finally the meager price of admission at $8.00 guarantees you a great game, a fun night and an unforgettable Halloween, without breaking the bank. Instead of watching whatever SEC game is on Saturday night, stewing over Terps’ football for dropping another game to N.C. State, go root for a winner.