They barely train and often don’t have a set lineup for games due to players’ day jobs and work commitments, but Baltimore based Christos FC’s 1-0 victory in the third round of the Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup over Premier Development League side Chicago FC United on Wednesday earned the amateur team a trip to face the Black-and-Red in the fourth round on Tuesday, June 13.
Here are five things to know about the Black-and-Red’s upcoming opponent.
1. A Sunday League team
Christos FC are an amateur team who play in the Maryland Major Soccer League (MMSL), a regional division on the bottom of the United States Soccer Federation's ladder and play games on Sundays. Christos recently went on a 90-game winning streak and have won six MMSL titles, as well as the 2016 Amateur Open Cup and Amateur National Cup.
2. HQ: a discount liquor store
Founded in 1997 by a group of friends looking to continue their playing careers after college, Christos’s headquarters are located on the outskirts of Baltimore in Christos’s Discount Liquor’s store, which has helped the team with league fees for years.
3. Road to Round Four
Christos FC started this year’s edition of the U.S. Open Cup with a 3-0 win over Fredericksburg FC in Virginia thanks in part to a hat trick from forward Pete Caringi, a UMBC grad who was drafted by the Montreal Impact in 2014. A shock 1-0 upset over professional USL side Richmond Kickers followed in the second round after a late goal in the 80th minute from another former UMBC stand out Geaton Caltabiano. An early goal in the first five minutes against Chicago FC United in the third round was then enough to earn the win and set up an intriguing matchup with three-time Open Cup champion D.C. United.
4.Team chemistry
Christos FC has evolved into a soccer haven for many graduated players from top local collegiate programs in the Maryland area, such as UMBC, William and Mary, and University of Maryland. Despite not having regular training sessions in the week and a fluctuating game day lineup due to job commitments, chemistry and familiarity has played a big part in the team’s successes, as many of the players played with or against each other for more than a decade.
5. Finances
Following the win in Chicago, the club earned $15,000 by being the last amateur team remaining in the tournament. The money will be welcomed, as the club recently needed to start a GoFundMe to help pay for the trip to Chicago in the last round.
United will look to end the Cinderella story on June 13 at the Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds, Md. Kickoff is set for 7:30 PM.
