Pro soccer gets Real

Montgomery County’s new USL team, Real Maryland, beginning to take shape

‘‘It’s a really good group, I can tell already,” said Gonzalo, who coached the Northern Virginia Royals of the USL Premier Development League from 1998-2007. ‘‘Sometimes I get angry, but they are working very hard and I am proud of them. We’re looking OK right now, our condition is excellent; now we just have to really become a team.”

The main attraction

The Monarchs boast an array of local and international talent, including Daryl Ferguson of Prince George’s County — who plays for the Barbados national team — and Salvadorian national-team midfielder Dennis Alas, who has not yet joined Real.

But the team’s biggest name is Alas’ longtime international teammate, forward Ronald Cerritos. One of the most accomplished players in Salvadorian history, the 33-year-old attacking midfielder has made over 40 appearances for his country. But he is best known in these parts for his 10-year career in Major League Soccer, including a stint with D.C. United from 2003-04.

After moving on to the San Jose Earthquakes, then the Houston Dynamo, then spending roughly a year with San Salvador F.C. of El Salvador’s Primera División de Fútbol Profesional, he is happy to be back in the Washington, D.C. area.

‘‘When I was playing in D.C., I had a lot of friends here,” said Cerritos. ‘‘I’m very happy to be here. Maryland is amazing and everybody loves soccer in this area; I’m looking around before practice and I’m amazed to see all these young players practicing. But for me to be back from my country is wonderful, especially at my age. The reality is that I’m 33 years old, and physically, thank God, I’m 100 percent.”

Cerritos can still motor downfield, showing the form that produced 70 career goals in MLS. But the high quality of play on his new team surprised him, as he sees little separation between his past teammates, even internationally, and his new ones with the Monarchs.

‘‘I’m telling you, it’s about the same level,” he said. ‘‘Physically, all the players in the United States are stronger, faster, athletic. My first year, when I was 20 years old coming to this country, players from my country were technically very good. But we’re slow. We’re slow against these guys, and that’s the truth.”

From far and wide

Aside from its international flavor, Real Maryland has featured a unique variety of players in its early practices. Maybe the most interesting story has been Matthew Ebi, a former midfielder with Gallaudet (D.C.) University, a school for the hearing impaired, who joined the team in early tryouts and has practiced with it ever since. Gonzalo said Ebi hasn’t cemented a roster spot, but has an infectious attitude.

‘‘He wants to be on this team and it doesn’t matter what I do, he wants to be here,” said Gonzalo. ‘‘He’s had to progress a lot. He’ll take some time but he’s a great kid, and we’ll give him a chance.”

William Brindley, 25, travels over 100 miles each way from the Eastern Shore to and from practices. After a college career at Palm Beach Atlantic (Fla.), Brindley hopes his stay with Real Maryland can jumpstart his professional career.

‘‘I just jumped at the opportunity,” he said. ‘‘I want to go as far as I can with soccer, and obviously this was a big break for me.”