Dominating the possession battle has been Maryland men’s soccer’s identity since head coach Sasho Cirovski took over in 1993. The Terps can break down opponents with long spells of possession while also wearing out the backline.
But this year’s team has the added flair and pace up front to keep opponents honest when they do have control of the ball.
“We are a team that can break you down with the ball, we build a lot,” Cirovski said. “We have a lot of possession, but that’s not enough. Being a team that’s very
good in transition is very important, and that’s always been a strength of our team.”
The Terps have netted four goals via counterattacks this season, including a pair in their 3-1 victory over Wisconsin Friday night. Without those two scores, Maryland’s performance in its Big Ten opener would have looked drastically different.
The Badgers were just inches away from opening the scoring, redirecting a free kick towards goal. The ball bounced off the crossbar and was immediately cleared off the goal line by Luca Costabile.
Chris Steinleitner won the battle outside the box, poking the ball to Leon Koehl. The midfielder took a peek over his shoulder and rotated his body before playing the ball down the line to Sadam Masereka. His blistering pace forced a Wisconsin defender to commit a reckless challenge in the box. Koehl easily converted the penalty to give Maryland a 1-0 lead.
“We work a lot on transition from preseason to now, it’s one of Sasho’s big focal points,” Albi Ndrenika said. “Being able to change the game on a dime, just one moment.”
While Wisconsin tied the game in the second half, the Terps’ electric speed on the wings resurfaced soon after.
In the 68th minute, Ndrenika intercepted a lazy pass and took a few heavy dribbles to get in the attacking half, creating a 3-on-2. Ndrenika had Stephane Njike on his right and Masereka to his left. The senior elected to spray the ball to Njike, and his decision paid dividends. Njike juked out his defender to gain a sliver of separation and smashed the ball into the near post.
“As a midfielder, finding those pockets, creating those moments in order to break quickly with Sadam and Stephane’s pace is really key,” Ndrenika said.
Steinleitner recorded the final assist of the game, threading a beautiful pass behind the Badgers’ backline to Rocket Ritarita for the team’s third goal.
Maryland’s midfield trio — Koehl, Ndrenika and Steinleitner — were responsible for a goal and two assists in that game. But that production has been nothing new for the Terps’ veteran group. They totalled nine goals and nine assists in 2024.
Midfielders are expected to cover a ton of ground, both going forward and tracking back to help out defensively. Cirovski asks a lot of his unit in possession as well, and they have delivered time and time again.
“We have a good balance of being able to break teams down with the ball and create opportunities through our possession, but we’re also very dangerous in transition,” Cirovski said.
But more importantly, they have the ultimate discretion of when to push a counterattack versus slow the game down and build out of the back.
Positioned in the center of the park, the Terps’ three midfielders control the pace of the game, and are at the forefront when they try to catch opposing defenders out of position. Once the decision to push in transition is made, their job is simple: quickly distribute the ball forward.
“Our attacking players are phenomenal so how quickly can we get the ball through the midfield line up to them and let them create,” Ndrenika said. “It’s going to be a huge key to our success.”
Their ability to ping the ball across the pitch and dissect defenses is unmatched. But it’s not just their skill on the ball that makes them dangerous. They have remarkable chemistry.
Through training and experience playing alongside each other — this is their second year starting together — the trio has a great understanding of where one another is on the pitch. Those instincts allow them to make sudden moves away from their defender and find space at the right time.
“If Chris gets the ball in the middle and has time, that’s the cue for me and Leon to make a movement, get the ball in the half space and proceed the game,” Ndrenika said. “We know each other’s game now. … It’s almost becoming second nature with the relationship we’re building.”
All three are capable of doing the dirty work as the defensive midfielder, though Steinleitner usually plays that role. And they have the offensive versatility to produce chances in the attacking third — either through long-range efforts or setting up their teammates.
“All of us just complement each other very well,” Koehl said. “Chris knows his role, he holds like the six. Me and Albi have the offensive freedom. I can go box-to-box, defend, go up top, create my space on the left side and combine with my guys. Albi’s nearly playing as a 10. He has very good offensive strengths, and I think that’s what makes us so good.”
Maryland’s midfield is well-equipped to handle the pressure both in possession and on the break. The trio will have to play a pivotal role if the Terps hope to bring home Sasho’s fourth national championship.
