A season of ups and downs couldn?t have ended any lower for the defending Major Indoor Soccer League champion Blast.
Having felt the lows of last place and the highs of first place in the MISL standings, the Blast (15-15) ended the season Saturday with a 21-6 loss at Chicago. That loss capped a six game losing streak, which began March 16 ? the same game that ended an eight-game Blast winning streak.
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“Early on, injuries played a big part in our record,” said Blast coach Danny Kelly, who hopes to return next season. “But we started to come together as a unit [down the stretch].”
The team entered the final two weekends of the season needing just one win to lock up one of four playoff spots in the six-team league.
But Friday, the team dropped a tough, 13-12, game to Philadelphia in the home finale. Leading 12-11 within the final minute of play, the Blast allowed a two-point goal on a KiXX restart in front of the Blast goal. That shock deflated the team ? not only for the remainder of Friday?s game, but also in a hangover effect Saturday.
“It took a lot out of me and I know it took a lot out of the guys,” Kelly said, adding that the loss at Philadelphia a week prior had the same effect. “It?s hard to rebound emotionally from that quickly.”
After Friday?s game, players were visibly shaken from the loss.
“That?s a game we all wish we had back,” Kelly said.
Aside from a 13-12, last-minute loss Friday, the Blast had failed to reach double-digits in scoring in six of its last seven games. They only won one of those games. The Blast lost 2005-2006 leading scorers Aduato Neto and Giuliano Celenza for all but 10 combined games throughout the season.
“Ultimately, we didn?t finish our chances,” Kelly said of the offensive struggles. “We didn?t hit our target.”
The Blast entered the season with three league championships ? 2003, 2004, and 2006 ? in the past four seasons. Similar to this season, the Blast ended 2005 with a five-game losing streak, and missed the playoffs at 15-24.
Blast notes
» The Blast drew 8,384 in the home finale Friday night. In 15 home games, the Blast drew 111, 732 fans to 1st Mariner Arena ? the most of any team in the league.
» Blast midfielder Robbie Aristodemo said after Friday?s game that he tore an abdominal muscle during the game. Veteran Lee Tschantret injured his ankle in the game, and was also red-carded at the end of the contest. Neither played in Saturday?s season finale.
» Blast veteran David Bascome returned Friday night from a torn ACL. He had surgery on the injury in mid-December, and played in a handful of shifts in the loss to Philadelphia.
