Smith has emphasized distributing the ball with quick passes. The result: seven players have scored goals.
“We really try to activate the midfielders in the offensive third and that has made a huge difference,” said Smith, who teaches English at the high school.
“We also have some outside backs that are really taking on an attacking role.”
Coach Jeremiah Smith (left), with senior co-captain Juan Caballero Valencia (front) alongside, is in his 22nd season at Malden.Alex Yu
Malden has already eclipsed its win totals from the 2022, 2023, and 2024 seasons.
Minus a true striker, the Tornados focus on balance, putting more bodies up front to create scoring chances. On the back end, seniors Iyad Doukkali and Yusuf Zoulgami play nearly every minute, stopping any attacks in the middle.
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“Sharing the responsibility in the workload is something that we can do to keep this going,” said Smith, “We’re trying to keep fresh bodies on the field, and I don’t see a huge dropoff when we go to the bench this year, which I’ve definitely seen in the past.”
Senior captains Abdul-Mohaimen Kalefa and Juan Caballero Valencia preached work ethic throughout the summer, pointing to the summer league they organized to get players acclimated and in shape early.
“Everyone in the school thinks that football’s the only sport,” said Caballero Valencia. “I want them to recognize soccer here, too … That’s one of the best parts there is.”
The attack runs through the 5-foot-6-inch duo with their speed and dribbling ability.
“I feel like everything we’re doing, we’re doing for the team. We’re playing selflessly, more than last year for sure,” said junior goalkeeper Wender De Abreu Moura, “And then the guys feed off that emotion.”
Malden had its 4-0 start derailed with a 2-0 Greater Boston League setback to Everett Wednesday. The Tornados are back on the field Tuesday vs. Medford.
“We just got it in our minds that we had to get it all back right away,” said Smith, “[When] we play league games, the kids all know each other, so that brings an extra level of passion and energy to it since they’re all friends off the field, too.”
It’s no secret how competitive the Greater Boston League is; teams near the bottom regularly hold their own against higher seeds, especially in the playoffs.
“On the state level, we’ve been hurting ourselves because we just keep beating each other up,” said Smith “So no one rises to the top, so we’re all low seeds near .500 [records] entering the tournament.”
The schedule will not get any easier, but the players have bought in on making a commitment. Season after season has ended in disappointment. But the upperclassmen know that this is their last chance at a tournament run.
“It’s been our goal since the start of the season. Go as far as we can. Win the cup,” said Kalefa.
Corner kicks
▪ Saturday marks the 20th year of Kicks for Cancer, hosted at Concord-Carlisle to honor Lois Wells, the mother of C-C goalie coach Steve Wells. Started by longtime Patriots coach Ray Pavlik in 2007, this year’s schedule is packed with great matchups. Perennial Division 1 powers Needham and St. John’s Prep kick off at 10 a.m., Arlington and Reading have a big Middlesex League bout at 12:15, 2024 D1 state champ Newton North and Brookline face off at 2:30, Newton South and Cambridge have a heavyweight bout at 4:15, and the host Patriots face rival Lincoln-Sudbury under the lights at 7 p.m.
For the full schedule and more information, visit kicksforcancer.org.
▪ Chelmsford coach Christian Matamoros earned his first career win in charge of the Lions with Tuesday’s 2-0 victory over Haverhill. Matamoros is a former standout at Tewksbury.
Games to watch
Tuesday, Lynnfield at Hamilton-Wenham, 4 p.m. — Two of the Cape Ann League’s best face off for an important clash.
Tuesday, New Bedford at Dartmouth, 4 p.m. — Both the Whalers and the Indians are programs on the rise, and they both put unbeaten starts on the line for this nonleague game.
Wednesday, Wakefield at Belmont, 4:30 p.m. — It’ll be a good Middlesex League test when these two face off; the Marauders are out to a 4-0-1 start.
Thursday, Brookline at Framingham, 4 p.m. —A great Bay State Conference matchup pits the perennial contender Flyers against the Warriors, building off a great 2025 season and strong start to the new season.
Saturday, Kicks for Cancer, 10 a.m. to 7 p.m. — There’s a good matchup on at any time of the day at Concord-Carlisle, with nine boys’ soccer games on tap.
Correspondent Mike Puzzanghera contributed to this story.
Alex Yu can be reached at alex.yu@globe.com.