TSC Maryland Pride HOME PAGE

The TSC Maryland Pride: Changed ownership in mid-season 2007 when the Thunder Soccer Club took over ownership of the team.

Formerly known as the Lady Bays, the team began play in 1994 when the United Soccer Leagues (USL) organized a pilot season to test the demand for a national women's soccer league. The Lady Bays advanced to the first unofficial national tournament, where they were eliminated by Sacramento, California, the eventual 1994 champion. In 1996, playing as the Pride, the team set a goal of winning the national title. After compiling an 8-1 regular-season record, the Pride rolled to the national title by defeating three opponents by a combined score of 9-0 at the 1996 national championship tournament. Maryland finished an undefeated season in 2001 and won the regular season championship. The Pride have advanced to national playoffs seven times in their 11 years of operation.

About the Coaching: Coach Mike Raffael comes to the Pride, bringing multiple national coaching licenses, including a United States Soccer Federation (USSF) B Coaching License, a USSF National Youth Coaching License and National Soccer Coaches Association of America (NSCAA) National and Advanced National Goalkeeping Certifications. Mike has international experience as a player and an extensive background in coaching. Mike has been involved in the Maryland State ODP program and is on the Maryland State coaching education staff. Mike currently is the girls director of coaching at the Thunder Soccer Club.

Coach Bill Heiser comes to the Pride, with extensive soccer playing and coaching experience. Bill was an NSCAA Youth All-American in 1988 and a Parade High School All-America as a midfielder in 1991. Moreover, Bill was a member of the United States Under-17 National Team from 1988-90 and represented his country in the 1989 U-17 World Championships in Scotland. His national team made history when they became the first team in the history of United State’s soccer to defeat Brazil 1-0 in a FIFA World Cup. Heiser’s coaching experience includes a one year stint at Georgetown University under the former Hoya’s Head Coach, Keith Tabatznik, and current University of Pennsylvania Coach, Rudy Fuller. In addition, he has been an assistant coach with the Olympic Development Program (ODP) and has also served as a technical trainer with the Thunder Soccer Club and the Freestate Soccer Alliance.

Type of Players: Former and current Division I and II players. College-level players come to the Pride, representing colleges such as the University of Maryland, Clemson University, George Mason University, Monmouth University, and many more. The combined experience of the players and coaches is sure to be a winning combination.

Local Colleges: Maryland, American, Mount St Mary's, Georgetown, and other colleges in the region.

Player Tryouts: The TSC Maryland Pride will conduct player tryouts for their Women's Premier Soccer League season in the spring of 2008 at a TBD location.

Division 1 college players will need a letter of permission from their athletic director if their spring semester has not been completed by the time tryouts start. Players should come prepared to work out for a two-hour interval. The WPSL is the only stand-alone national women's soccer league sanctioned by the United States Soccer Federation. The Pride, who are entering their 13th year of competition, will begin their quest for a third national championship in May 2008.

Click Here for the Player Information form

Interested players can e-mail General Manager Sam Haddad Email or Coach Mike Raffael Email