If the teams in the Major Indoor Soccer League were planets, the California Cougars would be Pluto.
Not only is California geographically distant from the rest of the league?s hubs, but the club also sits 9.5 games out of first place. But as Danny Kelly has learned in his first full season as the Blast?s head coach, the difference between winning and losing in the MISL is minuscule.
“You can?t look at those games and think they?re easy games,” Kelly said. “Those guys are professionals and a lot of them are playing for jobs.”
Members of the Cougars (6-19) will be putting their jobs on the line Sunday, when they host the red-hot Blast (14-9) at 8 p.m.
Baltimore was a long way out of the playoff picture just five weeks ago, and at one point dropped four games in a row, losing three by two points or less. Now that his team is on a seven-game winning streak and enters this weekend just a half-game out of first place, Kelly still isn?t ready to breathe easily.
“Although we?re on a bit of a winning streak, we can?t take anything for granted,” Kelly said. “The minute we take our foot off the pedal, we start losing games.”
Perhaps hard work is Kelly?s good-luck charm. But some of his players are starting to pick up on some quirks and intricacies to keep the streak alive. Midfielder Robbie Aristodemo is in a routine where he cuts his hair and shaves before games. But he?s not the only one.
“There are some guys [with superstitions],” Aristodemo said. “I think [defender Mike] Lookingland has something with suits. If we lose, he won?t wear the same suit.”
Other players have superstitions with the neck ties they wear on road trips. But all superstitions go out the window come game time. As Aristodemo said at practice Thursday, the team can?t let down its guard Sunday in California.
“It?s tough to play against teams that have nothing to lose,” said Aristodemo, third on the team in points behind Machel Millwood and Denison Cabral. “Those guys are playing for jobs for next year. Those games are always tough to play.”
BLAST AT CALIFORNIA
» When: Sunday, 8 p.m.
» Where: Stockton, Calif.
» Radio: 680 AM
» Series: The Blast is 4-1 against California this season, and won, 14-9, last Saturday.
