The Boy's U15 Baltimore Casa Mia Bays are more than aware of the recent success of their club. They’ve heard about the U16s, who have won consecutive national titles, as well as the other groups around them who have managed to capture the ultimate championship.

Most importantly, the U15 Bays are very aware that they’ve yet to add a national title of their own to their club’s decorated mantle.

The operative word may very well may be “yet.”

The Bays are among the hottest teams in the country, having just stormed through their US Youth Soccer National League division with a record of 5-0-2. They’re getting healthy and looking poised to join the ranks of fellow club teams.

“This is a team that’s been around so much success, and they’ve almost been like the little brother looking up to all the other teams,” said Bays coach Steve Nichols. “We’ve added a couple of pieces this year to a team that was already very talented and it’s made a big difference.”

The difference between winning and losing is often slim, and this Bays team has found that out the last few years. As U12s and U13s they were upset during State Cup. Last season they made regionals but suffered a heartbreaking defeat in injury time.

The turning point for the Bays this year came early, when the team arrived at Disney without the benefit of a few key players like centerback Michael Greene as well as forward DJ Kyote, last year’s leading scorer.

The team still managed to finish 2-0-2, confirming the potential they already knew was present.

During the National League, Michael Gamble led the offense with nine goals. A physical gamer who comes to play each match, Gamble is joined by offensive force Malcom Harris, who also plays for the U16 development team.

Greene has returned to form to stabilize the defense along with Matthew Shinsky and gifted goalkeeper Andrew Harris.

The Bays are close to returning Kyote, a 6-foot-2 terror, who has been out since the summer with a torn ACL.  

There’s no rush in getting him back, of course, now that the Bays have punched a ticket to nationals. Nichols has made sure not to overwork his group, knowing that it’s all about peaking at the right time - something the Bays appear to be doing.

“The greatest thing about this group is for a team who has never really won anything big they don’t carry themselves like they haven’t, and don’t celebrate much,” Nichols said. “The expectation of this team is to win a national title, and until they do it’s business as usual.”