Starting XI: Sláinte Athletic vs. Touch Kings
Top of the Table on the Line—Time to Make a Statement.
The Spring 2025 MSSL Division II campaign heats up this Sunday as Sláinte Athletic returns to Milford Mill Academy Stadium for a pivotal Matchday 3 clash against league leaders Touch Kings.
With two wins from two, a +11 goal differential, and a game in hand, Sláinte sits just behind the Kings in the table—but a win today flips everything. This isn’t just a battle for points—it’s a battle for control of the title race.
Aaron Burbridge and Gavin Mooney name a composed and confident XI, keeping the core intact from last week’s 8-0 performance while introducing new elements built to rise to the moment. Two players earn their first starts of the Spring, one returns to the team after some time away from the club, and a familiar face rejoins the matchday squad for the first time in over a year.
This is the kind of match that defines a season. Touch Kings sit atop the table with nine points from three games—disciplined, athletic, and organized. But Sláinte has been relentless. Twelve goals in two matches, a defense growing sharper by the minute, and a midfield that’s begun to control games with maturity. Last year’s promotion bid fell short by inches. This year, it’s different. This is the test. This is the chance to flip the standings—and prove that Sláinte isn’t chasing the top spot, it’s building to own it.
Starting XI
GK – Kristian Slaby
Keeps the gloves after last week’s clean sheet. Calm, commanding, and steady between the posts.
DEF – Sam Dragunas | Logan Funk | Evan Novian | Iliass Zouita
Dragunas shifts to right back—bringing high work rate, clean touches, and a relentless motor.
Funk continues in central defense, providing presence, communication, and grit.
Novian makes his first start of the season at center back—experienced, composed, and confident under pressure.
Zouita returns to left back, offering balance in build-up play and strong recovery speed.
MID – Arlie Hitt | BP Seivers | Danny Hallowell (C) | Isaac Ngobu
Hitt stretches the shape with his work rate and vertical runs.
Seivers remains in midfield command—dictating tempo and setting up play from deep.
Hallowell returns to the heart of the lineup—bringing leadership, bite, and control.
Ngobu keeps his place wide left—creative, explosive, and impossible to ignore in 1v1 moments.
FWD – Andres Perez | Iddriss Iddriss
Perez enters in top form, fresh off two goals and an assist—linking up play and leading the line.
Iddriss gets the nod up top—strong on the ball, clinical in transition, and a constant threat between the lines.
Matchday Bench
Ryan Cummings | Garrett Peters | Moe Cisse | Tanner Babischkin | Dylan Burruss
Cummings returns from injury and gives added strength across the back.
Peters and Burruss offer flexibility and energy late on.
Cisse rejoins the squad for the first time since Fall MSSL—fit, fresh, and ready to make an impact.
Babischkin returns to the matchday squad for the first time since early 2024, officially back from injury after over a year out. A leader on and off the field, he’ll be ready when called upon.
Unavailable due to injury/illness: Brigham, Epstein, Henry, McDonough, Meyers, and Ramos.
New Faces, Familiar Fire
Two players step into the starting lineup for the first time this season, and both bring fresh energy to an already in-form squad.
Iddriss Iddriss earns his first start of the Spring after making an immediate impact off the bench in Matchday 2. With his strength on the ball, nose for goal, and ability to stretch defenses, he adds a direct threat alongside Perez in the front line. Expect him to play with intent from the first whistle.
Sam Dragunas also gets the nod—slotting into the back line after a string of composed cameos. Quick, composed, and confident in possession, he’s more than ready for the challenge that Touch Kings will bring in transition.
Meanwhile, Moe Cisse reenters the fold after a hiatus from the club. A dynamic midfielder who featured across Spring, Summer Copa, and Fall MSSL in 2024, Cisse brings proven control and punch from touchline to touchline. He’s back in the squad—and back on a mission.
But the biggest story may be off the bench: Tanner Babischkin, after months of recovery and a season spent coaching from the sideline, is officially back in the matchday squad. A symbol of Sláinte’s culture and resilience, his return adds emotional firepower to an already focused group.
Final Word
Sláinte enters the day 2-0. Touch Kings are 3-0. First place is on the table—and with potential promotion ramifications on the line, these are the matches that matter most.
No shortcuts. No letdowns. Just another chance to raise the standard.
Kickoff: 1:00 PM | MSSL Division II Matchday 3
Sláinte Athletic vs. Touch Kings
Watch live via DMV Sports Media
Let’s show what we’re made of.
Let’s make a statement.
Let’s go top.
