CHANGE MY LOCATION
Sports
Examiners
Sports Examiner
Most Recent Post
Radio hosts get blast back from Magic Johnson after accusations of faking AIDS
California News
Multimedia News
Baltimore Blast hopes to avoid another late-season fizzle
SEE THE LATEST ON THIS STORY
Related Topics: BALTIMORE
)
Baltimore Blast forward Denison Cabral will never forget the end of last year's season.
BALTIMORE (Map, News) - The Blast, which does not play until hosting Philadelphia on Friday, spent the past week hoping history does not repeat itself.
Baltimore (14-9) is in third place in the Major Indoor Soccer League, 1 1/2 games behind first-place Milwaukee (15-7) and 1/2 game behind second-place Detroit (14-7). But the Blast also were in contention to make the playoffs at this point last year — until it ended the season on a six-game losing streak to miss the postseason by a game.
“We got stuck last year, and we'll never forget it,” veteran forward Denison Cabral said. “We needed one more [win] to make it, and it didn't happen. Our goal now is to take it one game at a time. We'll find a way to make it to the playoffs.”
The Blast has seven games — three at 1st Mariner Arena, four on the road —remaining in the regular season. The team practiced four days this past week, and gave injured midfielder Matt Watson (toe), midfielder Scott Buete (foot) and David Bascome (knee) the chance to recover from nagging injuries.
The Blast hosts defending champion Philadelphia (11-13) on Friday at 7:35 before getting a nine-day break until it begins a three-game road trip that likely will determine if the team earns the first seed in the playoffs. The Blast plays at California (8-13) on March 22, at Chicago (13-10) on March 22 and at Monterrey (11-11) on March 27. The Blast is 4-7 on the road this season, and lost at California and Monterrey in its last visit, but defeated Chicago, 19-9, on Feb. 23. The Blast ends its season against Chicago, New Jersey and Detroit, as the Blast’s final five opponents are a combined 7-6 against Baltimore this season.
“It's a huge seven games,” Kelly said. “Our whole season revolves around what we do in these seven games. By no means are we looking past anybody. Every game is a big game.”
Six teams qualify for the MISL playoffs - up from last year's four-team postseason — because the league added three expansion teams: Orlando, New Jersey and Monterrey. Monterrey holds the final playoff spot by one game over Philadelphia.
But still, the Blast’s players are only focused on themselves, as last year’s collapse began when they were 14-9, which is their exact record today.
“I think its still fresh in a lot of our minds,” Kelly said. “You don't forget your past, or your bound to repeat it. It's in our minds, but we're a different team than last year. We have to use it as a bit of motivation. For us as an organization, that was unacceptable.”
swelsh@baltimoreexaminer.com
Comments from Examiner Readers
9:45 PM MST on Sun., Jul. 20, 2008 re: "Baltimore Blast defused?"
Report as inappropriate
4:16 PM MST on Sun., Jul. 20, 2008
re: "Baltimore Blast defused?"
Report as inappropriate
2:51 PM MST on Sun., Jul. 20, 2008
re: "Baltimore Blast defused?"
Report as inappropriate
5:52 PM MST on Sun., Apr. 27, 2008
re: "Baltimore's MLS Blast looks to add to dynasty"
Report as inappropriate
8:32 AM MST on Sat., Apr. 5, 2008
re: "Baltimore Blast sets fire to ticket sales"
Report as inappropriate
6:41 AM MST on Sat., Apr. 5, 2008
re: "Baltimore Blast sets fire to ticket sales"
Report as inappropriate
8:38 AM MST on Sun., Dec. 9, 2007
re: "Detroit Ignition blasts past Baltimore, 19-11"
Report as inappropriate
Albert said:
Time to move up to the MLS Ed. Talk to Crystal Palace
3 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Neil said:
Good, Hale's the reason why the process for a new arena has been so slow. Now that his team is without a league, it can sit on the sidelines while something is now being done.
2 agree | 5 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Chief Hangemkillem said:
Janet Marie Smith is evil, and she should be stopped now!
6 agree | 2 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Baltimore Blast are in the MISL, not the MLS (that is outdoor soccer). Nice article
4 agree | 3 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
AMERICA CALLING said:
seems to me that d kelly has to refer to his ps2 to manage the team get a new coach
2 agree | 3 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Blast games are the best entertainment for-the-buck in Baltimore! On Christian Youth night, you get a free concert after the game! Love the Blast!
3 agree | 3 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree
Examiner Reader said:
Why is it not mentioned in this article that Sagu played like he had lead weights in his pants. The Blast out-shot Detroit with shots on which the Ignition goalie had to make spectacular saves. Sagu made mostly routine saves and several of the goals he allowed should have been routine saves from ok, but not great, shots by the Ignition. Simply put the game was won by outstanding goalkeeping and lost by what appeared to be a sedated effort in the net. Is it just me, or is it time Sagu was given a better view of the game, say from the second row.
46 agree | 44 disagree
Vote on this comment: I agree or I disagree