The Road So Far, the burbridge era, and the war ahead

Tomorrow at 3 PM, Sláinte Athletic returns to Maryland Super Soccer League Division II action for the Spring 2025 campaign, kicking off against familiar foes Peru United. It’s the first chapter in what promises to be a defining season for the club—not just because of the players on the pitch, but because of who’s leading them.

Aaron Burbridge has officially taken the reins as Sláinte Athletic’s new manager, a move that feels less like a shift and more like a natural evolution. A founding figure in the club, Burbridge has been there from the beginning. Now, he steps into the spotlight with one goal: take Sláinte to the next level.

Joining him on the touchline is Gavin Mooney, a club veteran currently sidelined due to surgery. Though out for the spring, his football IQ and chemistry with Burbridge offer an edge few teams can match. This is Burbridge’s era, and it begins now.

The Morton Cup: Arrival on the State Stage

Before the league kickoff, Sláinte tested its mettle in the 12th Annual Morton Cup, our debut in Maryland state-level competition. Drawn into Group D alongside Baltimore City FC, Street Footie, and Lions FC, expectations were high—and the squad delivered.

Sláinte finished the group stage undefeated, with a perfect record and one of the best goal differentials in the tournament.

Standout moments included:

• A 2-0 win over rivals Baltimore City FC, where Leland Brigham, Danny Hallowell, and BP Seivers set the tone early.

• A dominant 4-1 win over Street Footie, with Hallowell and Iddriss Iddriss both getting on the scoresheet, and Mooney quietly providing two assists in two matches.

• A tight but composed 2-1 win over Starliners FC, where Mark McDonough, Andres Perez, and Seivers helped keep the dream alive.

• A hard-fought 1-0 quarterfinal victory over Lions FC, sealed by an own goal after pressure from Iliass Zouita.

• And finally, a tough semifinal loss to ACFC, 4-1, in what was the club’s biggest-ever defeat. Still, the cup run showed just how far Sláinte has come—and how high this squad can climb.

Pre-Season Statement vs. Baltimore Kickers

In the final tune-up before league play, Sláinte faced off against historic Baltimore Kickers—and walked away with a statement 3-1 win.

The squad looked energized, composed, and fluid.

• Brigham got on the scoresheet and assisted.

• Hallowell crushed home a rocket to open scoring.

• Perez, returning from a long injury, curled home a beauty to remind everyone what he’s capable of.

• And Dragunas, the new young defender, made a huge physical impact—possibly the perfect future partner to Adam Ramos.

Everything about that match screamed ready.

Offseason in Review: From Fall Frustration to Spring AmbitioN

Sláinte enters this campaign hungry—still stinging from how the Fall 2024 MSSL season ended.

After a gritty run that saw the team finish second in the table (6-1-4, 23 goals scored), promotion hopes were dashed in heartbreaking fashion—a last-minute penalty vs. Ambit10n FC was all it took.

But we held our own against the best, including league champions Bowleys Athletic, and we proved that even in adversity, this squad has backbone. Logan Funk, a center back turned striker, led the team in goals, while Drew Meyers again led in assists. The core remains—and it’s stronger than ever.

The Table So Far

With one round of league games already in the books, here’s how the table stands:

• Touch Kings – 3 pts (5-1 over NPC Futbol)

• MSI Pro – 3 pts (4-3 over Ittihad FC)

• Peru United – 1 pt (2-2 draw vs. Baltimore City FC)

• Baltimore City FC – 1 pt

• Sláinte Athletic – 0 pts (Game in hand)

• Ittihad FC – 0 pts

• NPC Futbol – 0 pts

With a game in hand, Sláinte can jump right into the thick of the table with a result tomorrow.

Peru United Awaits

There’s history here.

We’ve faced Peru United before—twice in 2024, splitting the results with a 4-1 win and a 2-0 loss. This time, the stakes are higher. The margins are thinner. And the squad is deeper.

New faces like Brigham, Dragunas, Seivers, and Perez have added quality all over the field. Seivers, in particular, has already become a midfield engine and fan favorite—a star in the making.

Veterans like Hallowell, Funk, Zouita, Ramos, and Slaby return with fire.

Ngobu, Hitt, and Meyers provide balance, vision, and bite.

It’s all lining up. The prep is done. The pieces are in place.

It Begins Now

Tomorrow’s match against Peru United isn’t just Matchday One.

It’s a declaration.

The Burbridge Era starts now.

Kickoff: Sunday, 3 PM | MSSL Division II

Sláinte Athletic vs. Peru United

Let’s get to work.