The La Mara tradition is a story 30 years in the making. The team’s humble beginnings start in the streets of downtown DC, with a group of friends simply kicking around a soccer ball. “And that is La Mara, just a group of people getting together and doing what they love most,” said Manager Alex Sandoval.
The team has competed in a number of local amateur leagues throughout the years, but seems to be at its best surrounded by the comfort of hockey-rink style walls and rug-like green turf that is the unquestionable marker of the indoor game. Because of their prowess in the 6 vs 6 competitions, registering for the inaugural Copa D.C. tournament in 2000 was a no-brainer.
“The first tournament was much different than it is today,” said Sandoval of the inaugural Copa D.C. “Teams weren't really sure what to expect and the Copa D.C. name wasn't as prevalent as it is today. Over time the tournament has really grown and the level of competition has increased significantly.”
With their victory in the inaugural tournament, La Mara gained the first ever Copa D.C. trophy and an automatic bid to Copa D.C. II in 2001. From there the story is easy to follow. The team won won eight consecutive Copa D.C. championships from 2000 - 2008.
It looked as if the squad would prove to be unbeatable. Well, that is until Copa D.C. IX kicked off in 2009, with first-year entrants Charm City FC entering the tournament in top form and dominating each team they played during the group rounds. It seemed inevitable to all in attendance at the Rockville Sportsplex that the newcomers were destined to meet the eight-time defending champions in the tournament finale. And so it was in front of a packed spectator area that Charm City FC finally knocked La Mara off the mountaintop, beating them 3-2 in the Copa D.C. XI finale. “I think we had grown a bit complacent over the years and that we somehow deserved the trophy just for showing up,” said Sandoval on the loss.
As Charm City FC proudly lifted the Copa D.C. IX trophy, La Mara stood and watched, vowing then and there to return the following year to reclaim the prize.
Flash-forward a year into the future and La Mara was back at the Rockville Sportsplex for Copa D.C. X. A grueling group stage saw an injury-depleted Charm City FC knocked out on the first day, leaving an assemblage of teams hungry to snag their crown, including the eight-time champions La Mara. In the end it would be La Mara facing the local powerhouse Aegean Hawks FC in the final match. In a thriller, La Mara bested the Hawks 4-3 and lifted the trophy for the ninth time.
“While all the wins have been great, last year might have been the most satisfying. Last year we rededicated ourselves to bringing the title back to La Mara. We had to beat a bunch of really good teams to do it, but we worked hard and found a way,” said Sandoval. “This past year was extremely competitive, with any number of teams good enough to walk away as champions. Luckily, we came out on top!”
As summer turns to autumn, the tradition of Copa D.C. continues with Copa D.C. XI, presented by Volkswagen, set to kick-off Oct. 1 at the Rockville Sportsplex and La Mara has already confirmed they will be back to defend their title.
When asked if he thinks his aging team of local stars (remember, the team has been participating since 2000) still has what it takes to raise the trophy Sandoval proudly states, “We try to play an attractive, exciting brand of soccer. As a team we always go into a tournament expecting to win, otherwise, why play? While we have been successful in the Copa DC tournament, we know how difficult it was last year to regain the title. We expect even stiffer competition this year, but we are really looking forward to it!”
But why come back? What is left to prove? According to Sandoval, the team has already proved to others and themselves they are the team to beat.
“We don't feel like we have anything to prove, to ourselves or anyone else. We just enjoy the challenge. Copa D.C. always brings out the best teams in the DC area. It's fun to know all the other teams are targeting us as the team to beat and we always get their best effort.”
After losing the title in Copa D.C. IX, La Mara appears to be a team reborn, which begs the question: can anybody beat these guys this year?
“Who knows?” said Sandoval. “We really enjoy playing in the Copa D.C. and will keep playing as long as you'll have us! Especially if we have a title to defend!
Copa D.C. XI group rounds will take place on Oct. 1-2, 2011 with the knockout rounds being hosted on Oct. 8, 2011 at the Rockville Sportsplex in Rockville, Md. Included in each team’s registration are three guaranteed 40-minute group rounds games, 12 team uniforms and 12 tickets to D.C. United Sept. 24 home game against Real Salt Lake, which included access to the Copa D.C. XI Kickoff party pre-game. The Copa D.X. XI champion will win $3,000, 12 first place medals, and the Copa D.C. XI trophy. The tournament runner-up will receive $1,500 and twelve second place medals, while the third place squad will receive $1,000 and twelve third place medals.
Teams can register online at dcunited.com/copadc
