The Baltimore Blast (Major Arena Soccer League) have signed four Baltimore Kings players for the remainder of the 2022 MASL season. Alex Shipley, Henry Scott, Ken Truong, and Josh Danza will continue to compete with the Baltimore Kings in the MASL3, but have also joined the Blast's 30-man-roster.

Alex Shipley, a 20-year-old Baltimore native and current Towson University student, made his debut with the Baltimore Blast vs. the Harrisburg Heat in their 9-3 win on February 11th at SECU Arena in Towson, MD. Shipley is now in his 3rd season with the Baltimore Kings.

Henry Scott, a Harvard University graduate and current PhD student at Johns Hopkins University, leads the Kings in goals scored (14 in 5 games). Scott spent much of his childhood in Uruguay before moving to the United States and settling in Georgia.

Ken Truong, a Vietnamese-American versatile midfielder, was named League MVP of the 2021 League 1 Futsal  season, where he also earned Golden Boot and 1st Team All-League honors. Truong is now in his 3rd season with the Baltimore Kings.

Josh Danza, a Puerto Rican-American Baltimore native, leads the team this season in points (22 in 7 games) and assists (16). Danza earned 1st Team All-League honors in the 2021 League 1 Futsal season.

Following the Baltimore Kings' 9-8 win last night over Skyline City CF, the Kings will continue their MASL3 playoff push this Saturday in Philadelphia vs. the Philadelphia Spartans. The Baltimore Blast host the Harrisburg Heat this Friday (March 4th) at SECU Arena in Towson, 7:35 pm kickoff.

The Baltimore Kings compete in the MASL3 (January-April), League 1 Futsal (May-July, September-November), and the PRO-SA Pro/Am Summer Soccer League (June-July).

Baltimore, MD (July 28, 2021)

Club President and Founder Josh Danza announced today the Baltimore Kings’ advancement into Phase 2 of the organization's original business plan.

​"Six years ago we started the Baltimore Kings to provide a platform for players to showcase their talents and prepare them for professional opportunities on and off the field. Our vision is to be the premier full-time destination for overlooked players in the Greater Baltimore area.

In 2015 we initiated Phase 1 of a three phase approach to build our club. We're happy to announce we are moving forward to Phase 2 of our original business plan. In Phase 1, we built a strong foundation and identified people who wanted to support our club. At the beginning of Phase 2, we were met with a big decision on whether to continue doing what we had been or to pursue something new, something bigger. As we enter Phase 2, I'm proud to announce that we have a structured plan moving forward.

This fall, we will be launching League 1 Futsal. The fall season will last from September through November and the spring/summer season runs from May-July.

In January we will kick off our inaugural season in MASL3. With our recent affiliation with the Baltimore Blast, we will be able to work directly with Baltimore's most historic soccer franchise. Throughout the winter, we will be showcasing some of the best young players in the Baltimore Area, playing against teams from Philadelphia, Fredericksburg, Northern Virginia, and Virginia Beach.

After the MASL3 season concludes, we will pick back up with futsal and play our spring/summer season.

Throughout June and July, we will run our Pro-Am Summer League that will be open to local high school, college, and professional soccer players that are home for the summer. Our emphasis for the summer will be on training and player development. We will train several days a week as a group, focusing on fitness and technical ability. At the end of each week we will split teams up and play intersquad games.

Whether you've supported us for the past six years or are new learning about our journey, we look forward to earning your support moving forward. We are so excited about everything we have coming up and look forward to representing Baltimore well."

Stay tuned for more information this week regarding the upcoming League 1 Futsal season, player combine, and draft. Interested players should fill out a contact form at www.prosocceralliance.com/contact.

By Diego Zuñiga
Baltimore, MD (October 20, 2020)  

The Baltimore Kings pro men’s soccer team will be traveling this weekend to play Atlético Zacatepec DE in Georgetown, Delaware - traveling out-of-state for the first time since the beginning of the pandemic. 

“Many of our guys have been looking forward to this game and getting back on the field,” captain Josh Danza said. “As is true with most businesses in 2020, I’d be lying if I said we didn’t take a hit from everything that has happened. Although many of our games were cancelled throughout the year because of the pandemic, our club is alive and well, and our guys have been working hard behind the scenes.”

The 2020 COVID-19 pandemic has flooded professional sports organizations around the world with uncertainty, causing many minor league teams to temporarily or permanently shut their doors. Many players have been forced to make big decisions regarding their career. 

“The goal of the club is to create a platform to showcase talented players whose desire is to play at the next level and push them on to bigger opportunities. Some of our guys had previously lined up opportunities to play overseas, but were not allowed to leave the country because of travel restrictions. At one point we even had some of our guys stuck in foreign countries, not able to travel to the U.S. Of everyone, I really feel it most for the players. Most have made incredible sacrifices to continue their careers while seemingly everything is working against them. This club was created for them, so it is great to be back on the field playing.”

Although this will be a closed-door match, it is still possible to support the players. Individual player sponsorships as well as team sponsorships are available here.

Some familiar faces on the roster include Josh Danza, Tommy Humphries, Axel Bax, Austin Murphy, Ken Truong, Pat Fleming, Gian Peixoto, Yassine Iguidre, Alex Shipley, Ajay Jagadesan, Caleb Kaiss, Vaughn Ridings, Chris Roberts, Brian Greuter, and Rob Jamieson.

Defender Devon Douglas was signed to the Pro Team in August after an outstanding summer with the U23s. Nick Verdi will also join the Pro Team after spending the past year training with the Pro Reserves. 

Former DC United standout Junior Escobar joins the Kings this weekend in his first match with the club. Escobar has also spent time with Esporte Clube São José in Brazil and C.D. Audaz in El Salvador. 

Midfielders Ioannis Kiotsekoglou and Gustavo Vera both impressed after coming in on trial for the past few weeks and will be making their debut with the club on Saturday.

Roster vs. Atlético Zacatepec DE
GOALKEEPERS: Brian Greuter, Rob Jamieson
DEFENDERS: Josh Danza (c), Devon Douglas, Tommy Humprhies, Wilmer “Junior” Escobar, Caleb Kaiss, Nick Verdi, Axel Bax, Austin Murphy
MIDFIELDERS: Ken Truong, Pat Fleming, Gian Peixoto, Yassine Iguidre, Alex Shipley, Ajay Jagadesan, Ioannis Kiotsekoglou, Gustavo Vera
FORWARDS: Vaughn Ridings, Chris Roberts
​

Towson, MD (September 16, 2017)  
​www.baltimorekings.com/news

The Baltimore Kings, a non-league independent professional
soccer team, played its first inaugural game on Saturday against another local professional team, Washington Fire. The game, advertised as The DMV Cup, was played in front of a standing room only crowd of soccer fans from the DC-Maryland-Virginia (DMV) area at Concordia Prep school in Towson, MD.

As the game kicked off, players on both teams spent the first five to ten minutes feeling each other out. The first shot was fired by Kings’ player Patrick Pato (UMBC, Real Maryland) in the sixth minute that went off target. Soon after, Jade Mesias (Harrisburg Heat, Syracuse SilverKnights) and David Neuberth (Philadelphia Fury, Real Maryland) combined well to get a shot off a few inches wide. Neuberth was particularly strong in the air with his tall frame and was a nemesis for the Fire’s defense all game. His header off of a corner kick in the 21st minute nearly went in but saved well by the Fire keeper.

A flurry of shots in quick succession by Gavin Boyer (DC United, Baltimore Celtic) and Josh Danza followed as the first half came to a close. Kings pressed hard the last 15 minutes of the first half and earned a foul for a kick from the penalty spot. Mesias took a textbook perfect penalty kick to score Kings’ first goal of the inaugural season and club history.

With half time approaching, Fire responded well earning set piece opportunities and posting shots on frame, well saved by Kings keeper Jake Boyle (Limestone College); John Jlopeh's (Villanova University) low shot was well saved by Boyle.

​Fire players showed plenty of pace and skill - while Daniel Baumgartner (LA Wolves, University of Hawaii) and Jlopeh were the offensive power, Stafford Chipungu (Rutgers University, Salisbury University) with his pace stopped a lot of Kings’ offensive plays. 

As the game progressed and first professional game jitters dissipated for many players, the second half came to life with good offensive plays and shots on goal. Boyer’s dribble was cleared by Fire’s defender leading to a corner kick and a goal ensued. Neuberth scored his first goal from the corner kick.

Roger Sampah (DC United, VfB Stuttgart) was an energetic presence for Kings throughout the game and demonstrated superior technical ability and individual effort; with 20 minutes left in the game, Sampah’ shot from 30 yards out sailed just above the cross bar. In one instance, Sampah’s combination give and go play placed him on the receiving end with an open goal but he kicked the ball wide. A TV commentator would have said “he wants that one back”.

Kings scored twice in the last fifteen minutes of the game. Danza split the two centerbacks on a run into the box and finished a perfectly weighted bending cross into the box, sent in by David Warburton (DC United, Loyola University). Neuberth scored his second and the fourth goal for the team when he intercepted a dangerous pass in the back and beat the keeper with a placed shot.

Mike Kozlowski (Evergreen Diplomats, Lancaster Lions) controlled the middle of the field throughout the match, while Trey Cooper (Towson University, Real Maryland) and Pete Ostergren (Eastern Nazarene) held down the backline and preserved the clean-sheet.

Boyer’s goal prior to Neuberth’s was ruled offside by the officials.
The game ended with Kings winning 4-0.

Scoring Summary
Goals: Neuberth (2), Mesias (PK), Danza
Assists: Mesias, Warburton

Rosters
Baltimore Kings: Jake Boyle, David Warburton, Mike Kozlowski, EJ Jackson, Patrick Pato, Jade Mesias, Josh Toribio, Josh Danza, Roger Sampah, Gavin Boyer, Trey Cooper, David Neuberth, Dave Cash, Pete Ostergren.

Washington Fire: Evan Raimist, Aaron Oke, Carlos Casteneda, Stafford Chipungu, Chris Maimone, Joey Yeboah, John Jlopeh, Daniel Baumgartner, Abdel Fankako, Marguis Flowers, Juan Velasquez, Vaughn Ridings, Matteo Bellistri, Chris White, Carlos Barrios.

By the Numbers
​Players signed from:

• Kings Open Tryouts - 21
• Kings U-23 Team - 14
• Kings Futsal Team - 8
• DMV Area - 27

Experience:

• Pro Soccer - 9
• NCAA D1 - 12
• PDL/NPSL/UPSL - 12
• MIAA - 6
• Maryland Majors - 7
• 5 former student-athletes from Towson University's 2012 soccer team that was disbanded after the men's soccer program was abruptly discontinued by Towson's Athletic Department in 2012.

Learn more about the Baltimore Kings Pro Team at www.baltimorekings.com/pro-team.

Article & Box Score: Shobha Kondragunta, Ian Jett, JT Dulany
Photography: John Meyer, David Raimist, Nick Rynes, Shobha Kondragunta

Baltimore Kings News Release
Thursday August 3, 2017
Baltimore, MD –

The Baltimore Kings have added another local player to the professional team, inking former Towson University (NCAA DI) standout Trey Cooper to a one game contract.

Cooper will play against the Washington Fire on September 16, 2017 at Concordia Preparatory School in Towson, Maryland in the Baltimore Kings’ first professional game.

Cooper, an Spanish-American international, played high school soccer at James Blake High School in Montgomery County, MD, and was named Ythlete of the year, winning the Maryland State Cup. Cooper also was a three-year honor roll student and was named to the All-Gazette First Team in 2011.

As a freshman, Cooper started three games for Towson University in their last season before the NCAA DI soccer program was cut. Cooper then spent a season with Real Maryland U-20's in 2014. He then played for Spanish club San Fernando Club Deportivo in preseason in 2014 and 2016. Most recently, Cooper played for the Baltimore Kings’ U-23 team in the summer of 2017.

"Trey spent this entire summer with the U-23 team and was a leader in our backline. His physical presence and composure with the ball at his feet allowed us to win possession and keep the ball out of the back. Our first two signings [David Warburton and Trey Cooper] both came from our summer U-23 program. We remain committed to providing an environment where players have the ability to move up the ranks through our club, rewarding the players that perform. We hope to put these guys up on a stage where they can move on to full-time playing opportunities."

Cooper joins David Warburton (Loyola University - NCAA DI) as the first two professional signings in Baltimore Kings’ history.

More player signings will be announced later this week.

Tryouts for the Professional Team will be held on Saturday August 12, 2017 at Riverdale Baptist High School in Upper Marlboro, MD - TRYOUT REGISTRATION LINK. 

About the Pro Team
Baltimore Kings Pro Soccer Club - a Non-League, Independent Pro Soccer Club

• The Baltimore Kings' Pro Team does not compete in a league.
• Players are offered 1 game contracts where they are paid per game.
• Players play in the game, get paid, and move on.
• Signed players report to training the week of the game. Like National Team duty, called into camp the week of the match.
• Games will be played only several times per year. Like an MMA fighter's fight schedule, only fighting a few times per year.
• This model attracts two-types of players:
  1. Local players that have a full-time job, but would still like to compete at a high level and get paid to play in a game in front of fans from their hometown.
  2. Players that are out-of-contract, looking to move on to full-time playing opportunities.
• Opponents? Unrestricted play against teams across all divisions, international teams, and other non-league independents.
• The club also has a Semi-Pro Futsal Team, a U-23 Men's Team for players looking to retain their NCAA eligibility, a Women's Team, Competitive and Recreational Adult Teams, and Youth Teams.

The Scouting Process
Players within our organization go through a very structured player scouting process. It's important that interested players understand the process and the importance of timing. The following are the steps you can take on the path to joining our club:

1. Contact Us: Fill out and submit a "Contact Form" on our website so that our staff can review your information. If you have a CV (player resume), highlight video, game film, or list of accomplishments, please include all of this in your completed Contact Form. All Contact Forms are reviewed, categorized, and sent to our coaching staff.
2. Come to Tryouts: Attending one of our tryouts is the best way to be seen and evaluated by our coaching staff. We would like to see you play in-person to evaluate your current playing form against other aspiring players. Online registration and a list of upcoming tryout dates can be found on our website: https://campscui.active.com/orgs/BaltimoreProSoccer.
3. Send us your Schedule: If you currently play for a pro, semi-pro, or amateur men’s team, send us your schedule so that we can keep our Player Database updated.
4. Come to a Game: It is of great benefit for you to see us play and get a first hand look at the level of play, the team's style, and the atmosphere surrounding a game.
   
   

The Selection Process
Once tryouts have concluded, players will be contacted with the selection results. Players who have been selected to represent the Baltimore Kings will be offered a contract detailing their base pay and a commission structure (signed players who play in the game will also receive a tryout refund - detailed in contract). Players who are not selected will remain in our player scouting database and will be encouraged to attend future tryouts. The signed Pro Team players will begin training the week leading up to their weekend game. In the months leading up the game, the club will market the event and work to create a great atmosphere surrounding the match. The game will be filmed and shortly after the match, highlights and the full-length game film will be posted online and distributed to each player for their own use. Once the game is played, players will be paid and are free to join or rejoin any team they would like. We will market our players and (if desired) help push them towards full-time professional opportunities with other clubs. Once a player has played for our Pro Team, they will remain in our Pro Player Pool and will be considered for a “call up” for future games (similar to National Team duty for international soccer). As an independent, event-based team, the Pro Team will only play a handful of games per year (e.g. 1 game in the summer, 1 in the fall, 1 in the spring, etc.).

Timing
Our primary way of identifying and evaluating potential players is through our tryouts. It is imperative that interested players keep track of and attend our tryouts. Do not wait until the last minute to contact us. If you contact our staff only a few weeks before our game, we will have already completed signing players for that upcoming match.

Mission
We will take a conservative, controlled, and personal approach to win one supporter at a time and build a successful professional soccer club in Charm City. In Baltimore's history, there have been over 20 failed professional soccer clubs. Unlike other league systems around the world, winning does not ensure longevity. Professional soccer leagues in the United States currently do not allow for promotion and relegation among teams and even in years immediately after winning a championship, clubs have folded. Success on the field is one of many objectives for the Baltimore Kings, but more importantly it is paramount to create and maintain a strong foundation to base our achievements.

About the Pro Team
Baltimore Kings Pro Soccer Club - a Non-League, Independent Pro Soccer Club

• The Baltimore Kings' Pro Team does not compete in a league.
• Players are offered 1 game contracts where they are paid per game.
• Players play in the game, get paid, and move on.
• Signed players report to training the week of the game. Like National Team duty, called into camp the week of the match.
• Games will be played only several times per year. Like an MMA fighter's fight schedule, only fighting a few times per year.
• This model attracts two-types of players:
  1. Local players that have a full-time job, but would still like to compete at a high level and get paid to play in a game in front of fans from their hometown.
  2. Players that are out-of-contract, looking to move on to full-time playing opportunities.
• Opponents? Unrestricted play against teams across all divisions, international teams, and other non-league independents.
• The club also has a Semi-Pro Futsal Team, a U-23 Men's Team for players looking to retain their NCAA eligibility, a Women's Team, Competitive and Recreational Adult Teams, and Youth Teams.

The Scouting Process
Players within our organization go through a very structured player scouting process. It's important that interested players understand the process and the importance of timing. The following are the steps you can take on the path to joining our club:

1. Contact Us: Fill out and submit a "Contact Form" on our website so that our staff can review your information. If you have a CV (player resume), highlight video, game film, or list of accomplishments, please include all of this in your completed Contact Form. All Contact Forms are reviewed, categorized, and sent to our coaching staff.
2. Come to Tryouts: Attending one of our tryouts is the best way to be seen and evaluated by our coaching staff. We would like to see you play in-person to evaluate your current playing form against other aspiring players. Online registration and a list of upcoming tryout dates can be found on our website: https://campscui.active.com/orgs/BaltimoreProSoccer.
3. Send us your Schedule: If you currently play for a pro, semi-pro, or amateur men’s team, send us your schedule so that we can keep our Player Database updated.
4. Come to a Game: It is of great benefit for you to see us play and get a first hand look at the level of play, the team's style, and the atmosphere surrounding a game.
   
   

The Selection Process
Once tryouts have concluded, players will be contacted with the selection results. Players who have been selected to represent the Baltimore Kings will be offered a contract detailing their base pay and a commission structure (signed players who play in the game will also receive a tryout refund - detailed in contract). Players who are not selected will remain in our player scouting database and will be encouraged to attend future tryouts. The signed Pro Team players will begin training the week leading up to their weekend game. In the months leading up the game, the club will market the event and work to create a great atmosphere surrounding the match. The game will be filmed and shortly after the match, highlights and the full-length game film will be posted online and distributed to each player for their own use. Once the game is played, players will be paid and are free to join or rejoin any team they would like. We will market our players and (if desired) help push them towards full-time professional opportunities with other clubs. Once a player has played for our Pro Team, they will remain in our Pro Player Pool and will be considered for a “call up” for future games (similar to National Team duty for international soccer). As an independent, event-based team, the Pro Team will only play a handful of games per year (e.g. 1 game in the summer, 1 in the fall, 1 in the spring, etc.).

Timing
Our primary way of identifying and evaluating potential players is through our tryouts. It is imperative that interested players keep track of and attend our tryouts. Do not wait until the last minute to contact us. If you contact our staff only a few weeks before our game, we will have already completed signing players for that upcoming match.

Mission
We will take a conservative, controlled, and personal approach to win one supporter at a time and build a successful professional soccer club in Charm City. In Baltimore's history, there have been over 20 failed professional soccer clubs. Unlike other league systems around the world, winning does not ensure longevity. Professional soccer leagues in the United States currently do not allow for promotion and relegation among teams and even in years immediately after winning a championship, clubs have folded. Success on the field is one of many objectives for the Baltimore Kings, but more importantly it is paramount to create and maintain a strong foundation to base our achievements.

Baltimore Kings News Release - www.baltimorekings.com

Sunday July 16, 2017

Odenton, MD-

Baltimore Kings Pro Futsal Club is excited to announce a winter youth futsal academy (boys & girls) coming to Northern Anne Arundel County. Following tryouts, selected players will join teams that will represent the Baltimore Kings in futsal state cup/regionals and play in a local league throughout the winter. Training sessions will focus on developing technical ability and learning the sport of futsal while playing at a high level. Our coaching staff will feature current pro futsal players and coaches with playing/coaching experience at the collegiate, professional, and national team levels.

Tryouts will be held at Odenton Sports Center (8266 Lokus Rd. Odenton, MD 21113) from August 7-18.

To register for tryouts please email: [email protected]

​Odenton Sports Center (8266 Lokus Rd. Odenton, MD 21113)

​Odenton Sports Center (8266 Lokus Rd. Odenton, MD 21113)

Severn, MD (July 1, 2017) – It was raining goals at the Futsal game between Baltimore Kings and Washington Fire on a hot Saturday afternoon at the Annapolis Area Christian Academy.  Kings beat Fire 20-10. Kings, who train twice a week at the Benfield Sports Center in Millersville, MD, opened the Futsal season on June 10 with a KingsFest playing their U23 men’s team for a 9-7 win. Today’s game marked the first game of the 2017 season against another new pro soccer development club in the Washington, DC metro area. 
 
Fire scored three quick goals within the first seven minutes of kickoff. Kings’ coach, Mike Kin, called a timeout in the seventh minute to have a chat. His specific advice was “stop dribbling, spread out and find a way to move the ball up front.” After the timeout, Kings picked up the pace and the first goal finally came in the 10th minute from Castaneda who beat three Fire players with nifty moves. Seconds later, Russell scored by lobbing the ball from the left corner for a dip behind the keeper into the net. A series of four goals from Djokic and one from Lake followed resulting in 8-3 for Kings at the end of the first half.
 
Second half, Coach Kin sent the same starting four field players (Avetrani, Djokic, Castaneda, Russell), but replaced starting Keeper Koester with Greuter. With Fire attempting a comeback, the game got intense and both teams committed several fouls; three yellow cards were issued, one for Kings and two for Fire. Fire converted one of the two penalties and one free kick bumping their score to six goals. Kings player Djokic scored yet again a beautiful goal, his 5th of the day, from the free kick spot.    
 
Kings Keepers had countless saves the whole game yet had to rely on players Baumgartner, Russell, and Djokic to step into the box and make dramatic clearances from goal line in certain plays.
 
Kings slowed the game down by keeping the ball in their half towards the end of the game. Yet, goals flowed for Kings until the very last 20 seconds of the game.   
 
Kings Goals:
Lake                6x
Djokic             6x
Avetrani          5x
Casteneda      
Baumgartner  
Russell
 
Fire Goals:
Flowers           3x
Pacheco           2x
Velasquez
Yepez              2x
Fonkako          2x
 
The Annapolis Area Christian Academy boasts of a fan-friendly atmosphere with an opportunity for young fans to play 6 v 6 Futsal during the half-time.  Kings spirit wear can be purchased at the team tent for reasonable prices.  Kings will return to action on July 12 for an away game versus Sporting Maryland. Kickoff is set for 8:30 p.m. 
 
Lineup (Kings): Cody Koester (GK), Brian Greuter GK), Javier Avetrani, Filip Djokic, Carlos Casteneda, Ryan Russell, Daniel Baumgartner, Joey Howard, Michael Lake. Injured (Josh Danza, Mike Kozlowski, Vinay Chandra)
 
Lineup (Fire): Marquis Flowers, Jose Pacheco, Juan Velasquez, Roberto Yepez, Abdel Fonkako, Steve Malm

Weather: Sunny and 80