EMMITSBURG, Md. (July 25, 2024) – First-year Mount St. Mary's head coach Brett Teach spent the summer coaching Columbus United FC and has ignited the team in their inaugural season to a semifinals appearance in the National Premier Soccer League.
 
The team takes on FC Motown at 7 p.m. Saturday (July 27) in Madison, New Jersey with the winner advancing to the NPSL Championship game on August 3. Ranger Stadium on the campus of Drew University serves as the host venue for the match.
 
After going 4-3-3 in the regular season, Columbus United FC entered the Gulf Coast Sunshine Conference as the Group B #2 seed. Following a defeat of Tallahassee SC, the team upset their group's top seed Pensacola FC on their way to winning the conference final, 3-1, over Jacksonville Armada FC. Advancing on to the South Region Playoffs, the team then knocked off Hickory FC 3-2 and West Texas FC 4-3 to clinch their spot in the national playoffs.
 
According to the league website, the NPSL is one of the largest established men's soccer leagues in the United States with over 90 teams competing across the country. The NPSL is a successor to the Men's Premier Soccer League (MPSL), which was formed in 2002. The NPSL is a member of the United States Adult Soccer Association (USASA) and is thereby affiliated with the United States Soccer Federation (USSF). The NPSL's cooperative and turnkey ownership platform has led to its explosive growth, countless player development opportunities, and commitment to grow the game in the United States.
 
Teach embarks on his first season as coach of the Mountaineers in August. The team opens at home August 22 against Binghamton.