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Revere Boys off to 4-0 GBL Soccer start; since Everett’s departure from GBL Football, a new parity has arisen
By Steve Freker
It has not been a very tough task to identify the preseason pick in the Greater Boston League Boys Soccer world the past several seasons. Basically, it has been the Revere High Patriots… and all others. Somerville has been a regular post-season participant, along with Medford, Chelsea and Lynn Classical.
This year probably started the same way — and for anyone who tabbed Revere again, it looks like it was an accurate pick — but after the Patriots, it appears that every one of the rest of the GBL teams appear locked-in for the 2025 season. One-goal decisions, scoreless ties and just an increase in nose-to-nose competitiveness between all the GBL teams seems to be the order of the day. Two weeks into the season, Revere is in its usual spot at the top of the list at 4-0 in league play, but the games have ALL been close: 2-0 over Lynn Classical; 3-1 over Lynn English; and back-to-back, 3-2 home wins over Everett and Chelsea last week.
Revere stepped out of the GBL for a non-league matchup against once-beaten St. Mary’s on Saturday, coming out of it with a 1-1 tie to stay undefeated at 4-0-1. Revere Boys was back to the GBL this week and next, to finish its first run through the league, and was expecting to be tested by Medford (at home Tuesday) and at Malden (yesterday, after Advocate press time).
Medford came into the week at 2-4 overall, but three of four losses were by just one goal, except a 3-1 stumble to Malden.
The Golden Tornado Boys Soccer has been a definite surprise team this season, considering how last season went. Malden had one of its worst seasons on record with only one win for the year. Malden Boys Soccer has already doubled its win total from just a year ago and is off to a 2-1-2 overall record, 2-1-1 in the GBL.
Malden was scheduled to host Revere on Thursday at Pine Banks Park, after Advocate press time, its biggest test of the season to date.
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Since Everett’s departure from GBL Football, new league parity has arisen
When Everett High officials decided to exit the Greater Boston League Football league starting last year with the 2024 season, instantly there was more room at the top of the list. When you win 29 out of 31 GBL Championships on the football field (from 1994-2024), it is not hard to figure out who the preseason favorite may be in any given year. After getting denied a postseason playoff berth in 2023 — despite a 7-1 record in the eight games needed to determine the spot — Everett officials decided to opt out of GBL league and make a schedule more suited for the MIAA Power Rankings system and a legitimate shot at the playoffs.
When Everett went out the GBL door in search of better odds of making the cut for postseason play and a shot at another Division 1 Super Bowl, another door opened for other teams to challenge for the title the Crimson Tide had all locked up for many years. Step right up, Medford! Medford Mustangs Football broke a whopping, 40-year GBL title drought when it topped Malden on Thanksgiving Day to complete a championship season, finishing 5-1 in GBL competition — also its best league record in 40 years.
Medford used the “All Justin Marino-All the Time” mode last year, with the 2024 GBL MVP quarterback giving a new definition to “do-it-all.” Marino moved on to his freshman year at Endicott College, and the Mustangs have a brand-new look, but are expected to compete once again for the title.
Somerville blasted its way to 71 points and a pair of wins in its first two games to open this season, before running into a solid Malden High Golden Tornado defense, as the home team Malden owned the night in a 14-12 win. Don’t discount the Highlanders from the title battle, however, as they possess at least three solid, shifty, flat-out fast running backs and a whole lot of enthusiasm. Somerville will have to be reckoned with before the flag is won in the GBL.
Malden, too, is revamped and ready to roll. Head Coach Witche Exilhomme likes his mix of younger players and veterans, and his best player — star running back, sophomore Jayden McGuffie — is one of top players in the state. “We believe we can compete with anyone this season,” Coach Exilhomme said after the win on Thursday over Somerville. “We just have to keep that balance with offense and defense.”
Just two games into the new season, McGuffie is already on the radar once again, after a 255 yards, 2 TDs performance in the win over Somerville.
Lynn Classical, another perennial challenger, has a new coach this season for the first time in seven seasons. Lynn English has been right in the hunt in most of its games since they got a new coach last season.
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GBL Girls Soccer race ramping up early, lots of contenders
Medford Girls Soccer has run out to an early lead in the Greater Boston League race, with the Mustangs at 4-0 to kick off the new season. But, like some of the other GBL league sports, there has been a resurgence of competition from lots of other potential contenders. Somerville (3-1 GBL), Everett (2-1 GBL, 3-3 overall) and Malden (2-2 GBL, 3-2-0 overall) are all right behind the Mustangs in the standings, and those teams believe they can compete for the top spot this year.
“Our loss to Medford (2-0) was one of the best games we have played this season,” said Malden Head Coach Rick Caceda. “We had a tough day against Somerville, but we have won or had a chance to win in every other game we have played.”
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GREATER BOSTON
LEAGUE STANDINGS
FOOTBALL
Team GBL All
Malden 1-0 1-1
Medford 1-0 1-1
Lynn English 0-0 0-2
Revere 0-0 0-2
Somerville 0-1 2-1
Lynn Class. 0-2 0-3
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GIRLS SOCCER
Team GBL All
Medford 4-0-0 4-2-0
Somerville 3-1-0 4-3-0
Everett 2-1-0 3-3-0
Malden 2-2-0 3-2-0
Lynn Class. 2-3-0 2-4-0
Chelsea 1-1-1 2-1-1
Revere 0-2-1 0-2-1
Lynn English 0-4-0 0-4-0
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BOYS SOCCER
Team GBL All
Revere 4-0-0 4-0-1
Lynn English 2-1-2 2-2-2
Malden 2-1-1 2-1-2
Somerville 2-2-0 2-3-1
Lynn Class. 1-2-2 1-2-2
Chelsea 1-1-1 2-1-1
Medford 1-3-0 2-4-0
Everett 1-3-0 1-4-2
