Only two games this weekend. This one is for the rivals. One of the matches this week is Baltimore Blast vs Utica City FC, which predates the MASL. The second is the more recent rivalry, Dallas Sidekicks vs Texas Outlaws.

Friday 22nd, 2023

Baltimore Blast 2-5 Utica City FC

If you are a Baltimore Blast fan, this was a hard match to watch. Let's talk history first - the MASL all-time between these two teams was Blast 26 - City 13. In the last three seasons, the record has favored Utica with Blast 9 - City 10. Utica heading into the game was undefeated, currently with a 4-0 record. Baltimore has seen better days, only one win in the last four matches.

Now this game starts just like the first match between these two earlier this season, Utica scoring three goals in the first quarter. City would take it a step further when they would score two more in the second quarter and Baltimore struggled to find only one goal in the first half.

Any time Baltimore is put in a position where they have to fight back, it's a long day. Utica, however, looked excellent. Using their speed to pressure Baltimore into making mistakes and being critical on the finishes.

The second half of the game, we only saw one goal, which came from Baltimore. Backup keeper, Brian Wilkin, came in as Coughlin was handed a blue card. Brian had a magical moment as he took on the Blast on a power play, shooting five times, he would match those shots with saves, but ultimately the goal would end up in the back of the net.

For Utica, speed, finishing, and defensive pressure won them this game. For Baltimore, mistakes, goal keeping, and lack of urgency lost them this game.

Saturday 23rd, 2023

Dallas Sidekicks 4-11 Texas Outlaws

What a show this was and not for competitive reasons, just for the display of passion in this game! But let's start with the game play before we dive into the show.

The Outlaws kicked this game off in full drive, opening up with scoring four goals in the first quarter. This was the script that the game will follow, Dallas did get four goals but Outlaws ran away with this competitively.

The story that is worth sharing is the sparks of the rivalry that were in full effect. This really kicked off in the second quarter when the Sidekicks were shown a red card, it should be noted that they were give 5 blue cards beforehand. After the red card, the game got heated.

It was a good sign to see players like Blas Pérez and Vini Dantas show passion for their teams. This was only game two, this rivalry is set to play out six times this season. it's already proving to be an entertaining matchup to follow!

- Geo Monterroso

While Geo is a contributing writer for Protagonist Soccer, he’s also the founder and host of the Goals N Boards. It’s the best podcast strictly devoted to MASL.