By Devon Douglas
Baltimore Watchdog Staff Writer
Baltimore’s professional soccer team, the Baltimore Kings Soccer Club, is training again under Baltimore County’s revised pandemic guidelines.
The Department of Recreation and Parks announced that people are now allowed to visit all basketball courts, golf courses, fields and diamonds, tennis courts, and turf fields within Baltimore County as of Sept. 15.
The county has relaxed its restrictions as it reached a modified phase three. However, some restrictions are still to be followed: There must be groups of 10 or less, masks are required when using the restroom and public showers and faucets are closed.
“It’s awesome to have the guys back out here,” said Josh Danza, the team founder. “Not only our team, but families and civilians can enjoy the parks again too. The parks are a lot livelier now that everyone is out.”
The Kings began practicing at Catonsville community park Sept. 17 for their upcoming season. However, they must follow all guidelines and guidelines specific to those playing soccer. Throw-ins are not allowed, and they must try to follow social distancing.
Their team welcomes anyone to join. College students, young players looking to get noticed by better teams and players coming to the end of their careers make up the King’s roster.
Excited to be back, the King’s showed excitement to play the sport they love and reconnect with friends.
“It’s great being able to express myself on the pitch,” said Gian Peixoto, a player for the Kings. “It’s refreshing getting back outside with my teammates and enjoying the sport together.”
Some players have been playing with the Kings every Tuesday and Thursday for the last four years. It was a hard adjustment for them not to play for months.
“I couldn’t be happier being allowed to do what I love again,” player Adam Ramos said. “I’ve had the same routine every Tuesday and Thursday for the last four years, so it was difficult for me not to play.”
Fans also couldn’t be happier with their return. Corey Brown of Carroll County was glad to hear the team is preparing for its fall season. He is an active fan and tries his best to attend games whenever scheduled.
“They don’t play many games but when they do, I’m always there,” Brown said. “There hasn’t been any quality soccer teams in the Baltimore area for a long time, so it’s exciting to watch these guys play and make the soccer fans in Baltimore proud.”
U-23 Baltimore Kings head coach and pro player Gavin Boyer was hoping to start practicing by the end of July. However, with the number of positive cases in Baltimore County, it was impossible.
“I’m happy that we can get some kind of practice in, anything helps,” he said.
Danza plans on bringing half the team to practice on Tuesdays and the other half on Thursdays. They’re going to start every practice with 30 minutes of fitness, 30 minutes of tactical drills and one hour of scrimmaging each other until players are back to game fitness. To quickly get back into to the swing of things, Danza will sometimes require everyone to practice in their uniforms.
“Honestly, they aren’t in that great of shape, but that’s what happens after seven months of no practice,” Danza said. “We’re just trying to get our rhythm back.”
Danza has made the most of practice during the pandemic. He promotes the team by recording practices and scrimmages then posting them online in hopes of recruiting new players. They also hope to start a woman’s team in soon.
“I know there’s players out there who’d love to play,” he said. “We’d like to give them an opportunity.”
Players got to showcase their skills and have fun with one another for the first time in months. Quentin Valiente looked energized to be playing with his teammates again.
“As a college student, being able to play soccer again has helped me in more ways than one,” he said. “It gives me something to look forward to after long days of online classes and homework. It also gives me the chance to escape from the hard times we are in.”