Utica City FC and Baltimore Blast trade wins in home-and-home, combining for 32 goals
A split decided by contrasting game scripts
Utica City FC and the Baltimore Blast split a January home-and-home series, with each club winning once in a two-game set that featured high scoring and dramatic momentum swings.
The series opened in the Baltimore area on Sunday, January 18, 2026, at TU Arena in Towson, where the Blast beat Utica City 12–7. Utica responded the next day, Monday, January 19, 2026, with a 10–6 win at home, leveling the two-game set at one victory apiece.
Game 1: Baltimore builds an early cushion and holds it
In the Jan. 18 matchup, Baltimore’s fast start shaped the outcome. The Blast led 4–0 after the first quarter and carried an 8–3 advantage into halftime. Utica City generated offense in the second half, but the deficit remained difficult to erase in the indoor format, where possessions can turn quickly.
Jonatas Melo opened Baltimore’s scoring and finished with multiple goals. Utica City’s Barbaro Shelier recorded a hat trick in the loss, while Geo Alves added a pair as Utica attempted to rally. Baltimore closed the game with an empty-net goal after Utica pushed additional attackers forward late.
Game 2: Utica flips the pattern with an early barrage
Less than 24 hours later, Utica City answered with a 10–6 win in the teams’ rematch, producing four goals in the first five minutes. Utica’s early surge included scores from Steven Fernandez, Taylor Walter Bond, Franck Tayou and Gordy Gurson, immediately reversing the series’ opening script.
The result underscored how quickly indoor matches can swing when a team converts early chances and sustains pressure in transition. With the split, the teams left the two-game sequence having each proven they can generate offense in volume against the other.
Key takeaways from the two games
Both teams crossed double digits in one game apiece, totaling 32 goals across the two contests.
Baltimore’s Jan. 18 win was built on a dominant first quarter; Utica’s Jan. 19 win featured a decisive opening five minutes.
Utica City received major production in the opener from Shelier and Alves, even in defeat, while Baltimore’s offense was sparked early by Melo.
The home-and-home highlighted two different formulas for winning between the same opponents: building an early multi-goal margin and then managing the pace, or striking first and forcing the other side to chase the game.
What the split means going forward
The split keeps the head-to-head balance tight and signals that future meetings are likely to hinge on first-quarter execution, special situations and game-state decisions late—particularly the calculated risk of adding an extra attacker that can create comeback chances but also exposes the empty net.