Crystal Palace Baltimore News Release - www.crystalpalaceusa.com

Wednesday, March 12, 2008

BALTIMORE, MD -- Crystal Palace Baltimore is pleased to announce that the preseason game against the Real Maryland Monarchs scheduled for 6:00pm, April 5th at the Maryland Soccerplex will be a benefit in memory of Matt DeOrsey. Tickets will be $5 at the gate. All proceeds from the match will go to DeOrsey’s wife and three children.

In addition, Crystal Palace Baltimore and Real Maryland announce the inauguration of the DeOrsey Maryland Cup, which will henceforth be awarded to the aggregate winner of all matches between Crystal Palace Baltimore and Real Maryland each season.

“We are very thankful that Real Maryland has joined us in honoring a great friend and player in Matt DeOrsey by establishing the ongoing DeOrsey Maryland Cup," said Pete Medd, Crystal Palace USA President and Co-Manager of the Baltimore team. Medd was a teammate and close friend of DeOrsey’s at Middletown and at Towson University. "This is a way that his legacy can live on, a legacy of excellence on and off the field. We hope the supporters for each club really get behind this competition to crown the “Champions of Maryland” and come out April 5th to support this worthy cause and get a good preview look at their teams prior to the start of the regular season.”

Matt DeOrsey, who played professionally in USL for the Delaware Wizards, grew up playing soccer in Montgomery County, winning five state cups with his youth club team, the Potomac Alliance. He also led Potomac to the USYSA National Final 4 in 1992. At Middletown High School where he was a two time All-State selection, he set team career records for goals scored (65) and points (100). In 50 regular season games during his four years on varsity, the Middletown Knights went undefeated and DeOrsey and Medd led the Knights to the Maryland State Championship in 1993. He was a seven-time member of the Maryland ODP team and represented MD on the Region 1 ODP team as well. He played at Towson University in Baltimore leading the Tigers to the America East Conference regular season championship in 1998. DeOrsey died suddenly at his home of complications of an epileptic seizure in Palm Beach Florida on January 23rd 2008, two days before his 31st birthday. He is survived by his wife Kimberly, daughter Elle, stepson Tyler and yet-to-be born son, Remington.

Crystal Palace Baltimore and Real Maryland would like to thank the Maryland Soccerplex for donating the use of the field for this special event.