He has always been recognizable in his hometown of Bel Air, but Billy Nelson has become more well-known all over the Baltimore area in recent years ? partially because of his solid play, but also because he?s now one of the recognizable veterans on the team.
“I hate to say it with the young kids, but he?s becoming a veteran player,” Baltimore Blast president/general manager Kevin Healey said.
Nelson, 27, a sixth-year defender for the Blast (15-11), is a product of the University of Maryland-Baltimore County and Bel Air High. He is a leader of the team?s defense, and has become a leader of that group, particularly on the penalty-kill unit.
“He normally plays the other team?s target forward ? and Billy has matched up well with that,” Healey said. “And every once in a while, Billy has scored a key goal for us, too.”
Nelson has scored 38 career goals, including eight this season. While he is in just his sixth professional season, he has experienced a great deal, including three Major Indoor Soccer League titles in his first five seasons.
“I think I?ve learned a lot, but at the same time, I think I?m still learning,” he said. “I?m learning from Lee [Tschantret] and a lot of the veterans, as well as [head coach] Danny Kelly. I feel that I?m a leader, and I take my confidence into every game.”
Nelson credits the team?s strong, late-season push ? including a recent eight-game winning streak ? with instilling the confidence necessary to reach the playoffs and make another title run.
“It has had its ups and downs,” Nelson said of the Blast?s season. “We?re trying to stay as positive as we can. One win gets us in the playoffs.”
The Blast will play Chicago (13-12) at 7:35 p.m. Friday at 1st Mariner Arena.
They?ll turn around and visit Philadelphia (15-11) Saturday at 5:05 p.m. ? a game to be televised nationwide on VERSUS.
While this season has been trying on the Blast ? with injuries and a slow start playing a role ? Nelson is content with the way things are going.
“I always enjoy it,” Nelson said. “I?m playing professional soccer for a living, and I?m here in Baltimore.”
Playoff picture
» The Blast can clinch a playoff spot with a win this weekend.
» The Major Indoor Soccer League held an executives meeting Tuesday, in which it was decided that the playoffs would include a two-game, home-and-home series in the semifinals, with a golden-goal session if necessary. The championship will be held April 21 in Detroit, regardless of the participants.
