FC Baltimore will take on a local club that made a deep run into the 2017 U.S. Open Cup. On Wednesday, May 23, 2018, at 7PM, the club will take on Christos FC at Essex Stadium.

BALTIMORE — Christos FC was founded in 1997 and plays in the Maryland Major Soccer League. The club is made up of ex-pros and other former collegiate players in the Baltimore area. Its name comes from Christos Discount Liquors, a liquor store owned by Nick Christopoloulos, who is the club’s largest financial backer.

“We followed the Christos story last year. It was really the bright spot of US Soccer in 2017,” said FC Baltimore Director of Soccer Operations Alex Lubyansky, via the team’s website. “Last summer Christos FC electrified the soccer community.  What they achieved was inspirational.  And now, we are absolutely honored and thrilled to be able to play Christos FC. They are a top-notch soccer team and just such great people.”

Last year, Christos FC made a deep run in the U.S Open Cup, taking down Fredericksburg FC (National Premier Soccer League fourth-tier), Chicago FC United (Premier Development League, fifth-tier) and the Richmond Kickers (United Soccer League, second-tier). In the fourth round, Christos FC would take on DC United and began the game with a 1-0 lead, but would eventually lose.

Their lone goal-scorer in that game, Mamadou Kansaye, is a midfielder from Mali and is a familiar face to the fans of soccer in the Baltimore area. Kansaye played youth soccer with the Baltimore Bays from 2008-2010. He would then begin his collegiate career at North Carolina State in 2010, scoring two goals in 15 appearances. Kansaye would transfer to UMBC (2011-2015), where he made 63 appearances, scoring nine goals. He also played for the Baltimore Bohemians and Charlotte Independence as a senior.

This matchup will be FC Baltimore’s final friendly before heading into NPSL play. Tickets will go on sale Friday, February 9, 2018.

(Photo Credit: D.C. United/Tony Quinn)

Kyle Andrews

Born in Norfolk, VA, raised in the Baltimore area and currently living there. Originally pursuing a degree in exercise science at McDaniel, Andrews became interested in sports writing. He was the sports editor of McDaniel's newspaper in 2014 and became an English major, and hasn't looked back since.

Bylines at Fox Sports 1340 AM, Bullets Forever, Baltimore Beatdown, Underdog Dynasty and many other sites.