The Maryland Pride was an WPSL club based in Howard County, Maryland. The team changed ownership in mid-season 2007 when the Thunder Soccer Club in Columbia, Maryland took over the team. The club was originally named the Lady Bays and began play in 1994 when the United Soccer Leagues (USL) organized a pilot season to test the demand for a national women's soccer league. The Lady Bays advanced to the first unofficial national tournament, where they were eliminated by Sacramento, California, the eventual 1994 champion. In 1996, playing as the Pride, the team set a goal of winning the national title. After compiling an 8-1 regular-season record, the Pride rolled to the national title by defeating three opponents by a combined score of 9-0 at the 1996 national championship tournament. Maryland