M3 announces final Eastern Division team, Western Ville 1892

Frederick, MD -- Major Arena Soccer League 3 will be welcoming a sixth team to the Eastern Division when Western Ville 1892 debuts in Frederick, Maryland, for the 2022 season beginning in early January.

The team currently is playing in the United Premier Soccer League’s Fall 2021 outdoor campaign, and will transition to the indoor game over the winter for the M3’s 12-game regular season schedule.

The team – whose name pays homage to the region where it is located – will play its six home games at the Frederick Indoor Sports Center, with fans encouraged to keep the date Sunday January 23rd as the potential home opener.

Owner Joel Ramirez said with Covid restrictions in place, FISC should still be able to accommodate around 20-300 fans with the ability to host closer to 500 fans per game during normal times, with a standing room only crowd already anticipated for opening night.

Support from the local soccer community has already been strong, Ramirez said, with more than three dozen players already signed up for open tryouts even though a date for that event hasn’t even been officially announced.

“It’s going to be a mixture of guys that play outdoor, guys that are very talented, some former MASL players locally that are looking for a chance to get back in the game, and some guys that are new to indoor,” Ramirez said in describing how he expects his roster to shake out. “There’s a lot of talent here.”

Ramirez, who still plays in the indoor game and is a member of the Army National Guard, said fans in Frederick County will love the indoor game.

“The fast pace, the fun environment, the walls, the atmosphere, it’s all great. The fans are so close, I have so much fun when I play indoors,” he said. “You’re right on top of the action, which indoors is constant for all 60 minutes. We can’t wait to get started and bring the sport to our community.”

M3 Commissioner Chris Economides is excited for how the Eastern Division is shaping up.

“These franchises are all in close proximity to the Baltimore Blast, who have endorsed M3 as a potential pipeline for future pro players, so there’s an additional layer of excitement for all of these six teams,” Economides noted. “And Joel is an enthusiastic owner who puts his heart and soul into everything he does. Being born and raised in the Frederick area, he knows the market, and will represent the Western Maryland area with pride and passion.”

Western Ville 1892 CF joins the previously announced Baltimore Kings, Philadelphia Spartans, VA Marauders, Northern Virginia Football Club and the Fredericksburg Fire to make up the new division.

Frederick – a growing city with a population over 70,000 – is considered the gateway to Western Maryland, and 1892 is a tribute to the year the town of Walkersville, Maryland, was officially formed. Ramirez was born and raised there , first hitting the soccer pitch at age four.

Ramirez said while he is the coach for the UPSL side, he will be hiring a coach specifically for the indoor team before the season starts.

The league’s full schedule will be released shortly. More information on Western Ville 1892 CF can be found here www.facebook.com/WesternVille1892.