Md. Complex Again Hosting Boca Juniors

Boca Juniors, the highly decorated soccer club from Buenos Aires and one of the most popular sports teams in Latin America, has come to the Washington area, but not for a match.

For the third time in seven years, Boca is using Maryland SoccerPlex in Boyds for an early stage of preseason training camp. The club also attempted to arrange friendly matches with MLS teams, including D.C. United, but scheduling conflicts prevented it.

All of Boca's twice-daily training sessions are open to the public, with the highlight being an intrasquad scrimmage at 10 a.m. today in the championship stadium at the complex. Admission is free. The team practices most days at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m. About 40 players, including most regulars, are here through Tuesday before heading to Mexico and then Europe.

Boca won Copa Libertadores, the famed South American club championship, for the sixth time last year and has won three world titles and 22 domestic crowns.

For more information, visit the Maryland SoccerPlex's Web site, http://www.mdsoccerplex.org, or call 301-528-1480.

-- Steven Goff