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BALTIMORE (Map, News) - Machel Millwood is adept at scoring golden goals.
But the Blast forward would prefer if the team advances tonight at 7 without having to go to sudden-death overtime if host New Jersey ties the first-round series with a win at Prudential Center in Newark.
Millwood won the Major Indoor Soccer League semifinal series and the championship in 2006 with golden goals, which he feels prepares the Blast for winning close games.
“We got a lot of experience from that. We know we have to be mentally focused in each game,” Millwood said. “You have to let every guy know that any mistake at all can cost you the game. You can’t go back after and say: ‘I could have done something else.’ You either claim responsibility, or you’re just going to let it go. Most of the guys here were on that team, and they’re ready to go out and win another championship.”
But the Blast won’t need a golden goal to earn a spot in the semifinals against the Milwaukee Wave (22-8) if they produce an effort similar to the one it gave on Thursday night. MIllwood scored three times in a 22-10 win, giving him 30 goals — second-most on the team — to go along with 23 assists.
Milwaukee had a first-round bye because it finished in second place during the regular season behind Chicago, which will play either Chicago or Monterrey in the semifinals.
Millwood’s final statistics Thursday would have seemed improbable in the first half, when the Blast struggled to solve New Jersey’s zone defense and led just 10-6 at intermission. Blast defender and captain P.J. Wakefield remembers Ironmen coach Omid Namazi installing a zone defense while he was coaching in Cleveland.
“In a playoff game, we didn’t think they’d do that,” Wakefield said. “I think they were just trying to save some legs and steal a win [tonight] at their place.”
Blast goalkeeper Sagu expects the Blast to have a much easier time tonight.
“I don’t think they’ll play zone up there,” he said. “If they lose, it’s done.”
Wakefield said the Blast won’t change its strategy.
“I think we’re going to play the same way,” he said. “What we did [Thursday] is what we usually do — a typical Blast win. It might be a little tougher because it’s on the road, but we just have to take care of business.”
swelsh@baltimoreexaminer.com
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8:38 AM MST on Sun., Dec. 9, 2007
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Albert said:
Time to move up to the MLS Ed. Talk to Crystal Palace
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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.
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Chief Hangemkillem said:
Janet Marie Smith is evil, and she should be stopped now!
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Examiner Reader said:
Baltimore Blast are in the MISL, not the MLS (that is outdoor soccer). Nice article
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AMERICA CALLING said:
seems to me that d kelly has to refer to his ps2 to manage the team get a new coach
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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!
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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.
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