No club had a more complete year than our Club of the Year. It was well-rounded and without any major faults. The voting reflected that this year, with the winner leading wire to wire. It was no surprise to us when we checked the results this morning, Maryland Bobcats FC are our 2020 Protagonist Soccer Club of the Year.

If you want to read the reasons we felt this club should have been nominated, you can do that here.

But for a moment, let’s celebrate the year that Maryland Bobcats had. They won the UPSL. They rebranded from World Class Premier to Maryland Bobcats, nailing the rebrand with a family of kits every lower league club would be envious of. They announced they were going professional and joining NISA. They won their region of the NISA Independent Cup, in a region that featured 2 NISA sides. They’ve spent the season growing their impact and social media presence. Honestly, they haven’t missed.

The club’s motto is “For All,” so when I reached out to Evan Raimist about how he’d sum up the club he GMs, his response was everything you’d expect. “Giving people chances that they wouldn’t have gotten other places. Both on and off the field.”

Maryland Bobcats FC is the model club of the year, one that grew against all odds (given the year 2020 was). Sometimes prosperity isn’t given, and instead has to be worked for. Maryland did that. And that’s why they deserve this award.

Congratulations to Maryland Bobcats FC our 2020 Protagonist Soccer Club of the Year.

- Dan Vaughn