When the Mid-Atlantic Region of the NISA Independent Cup resumes on Thursday, the title will be up for grabs in more ways than one.
Entering Thursday’s doubleheader at the Evergreen Sports Complex in Leesburg, Va., all four teams have 0-0-1 record with one point apiece after Game Day 1 on Sunday night.
Maryland Bobcats FC and FC Baltimore Christos played to a 1-1 draw. Tunde Akinlotsu gave FC Baltimore Christos a 28th-minute lead before Kay Banjo knotted things up, converting a penalty kick in the 84th minute.
Several hours earlier, the Cosmos and FC Amsterdam also finished with a 1-1 deadlock at the Hudson Sports Complex in Warwick, N.Y. Ansi Agolli scored off a fine free kick in the first half before former Lansdowne Bhoys standout Michael Bello found the net only 16 seconds into stoppage time for New Amsterdam’s first goal and first points in a stunning finish.
The rest of the tournament will be played in Leesburg, Va. Thursday and Sunday.
On Thursday, New Amsterdam faces Maryland at 6:45 p.m. before the Cosmos meet FC Baltimore Christos at 8:45 p.m.
On the final day on Sunday, New Amsterdam plays FC Baltimore at 5:45 p.m. while the Cosmos takes on Maryland at 7:45 p.m.
The Cosmos kick off their National Independent Soccer Association fall season against the Michigan Stars at Mitchel Athletic Complex on Saturday, Aug. 15 at 7 p.m.
New Amsterdam will welcome the Cosmos for its home opener in Warwick on Friday, Aug. 21.
