Maryland Open Cup Final March 2, 2008 Maryland Soccerplex (Germantown, MD) Maryland Allyance FC  vs. Baltimore Colts FC Kickoff - 5:00 p.m.

AC United, who was hoping to repeat as Maryland’s representative in the USASA Region I finals, were eliminated by the Baltimore Colts FC, 1-0. In the other matchup, Maryland Allyance FC took care of Select FC 5-2 to reach the championship game, which is scheduled to take place March 2.

Allyance FC had little trouble in their match thanks to a pair of individual performances by Andre Bishop and Bill Rinehardt. Bishop scored two goals and Rinehardt was one better with a hat trick. This is Allyance FC’s first state championship game appearance since they began entering the competition in 2006.

Allyance are currently in first place in the Maryland Major Soccer League (MMSL) with a record of 9-1-1. Baltimore Colts FC, who they will meet in the title game, are in third place in the MMSL (6-2-3).

The final will be a rematch of a one-sided, first-round game from last year’s Maryland Open Cup tournament. That day, the Colts dominated Allyance in a 6-2 win, en route to a trip to the final, where they eventually lost to AC United on penalty kicks.

Baltimore Colts FC Open Cup Qualifying Recent Finishes

2003 - 1st round Region I tourney 2004 - Maryland Open Cup Final 2005 - USOC 1st round 2006 - 1st round Maryland Open Cup 2007 - Maryland Open Cup Final 2008 - ?

The Colts avenged last year’s penalty kick defeat by knocking off the defending champs, 1-0 thanks to an early goal by Kyle Sterling in the 14th minute. The goal was a product of a poor clearance by the United defense.

The Baltimore Colts were the most experienced team that entered this year’s state tournament, and the only team that has qualified for the U.S. Open Cup. Back in 2005, they cruised through every qualifying match, winning each game by at least two goals. Once they advanced to the Open Cup, they were eliminated by the Premier Development League’s Richmond Kickers Future 3-0 in the first round.