If you?re looking for peace and quiet Saturday night, don?t go looking in or around 1st Mariner Arena.
The defending Major Indoor Soccer League champion Baltimore Blast (0-1) return home for the first time since clinching the title in St. Louis last spring. And with the team?s return comes growing excitement, and likely, plenty of celebration.
“It?s going to be a special night because it?s the one night when you can look back and recognize what we?ve been able to accomplish,” Blast president and general manager Kevin Healey said. “It?s also the excitement of the home opener, just like any sport.”
While the team will be getting its championship rings ? and a new banner is likely to unravel from the rafters high above the carpet and screaming fans ? the team?s leader didn?t mince words with the fact that Saturday is more than a celebration.
“It?ll be nice having the ring ceremony and unfurling the banner, but the most important part that night is to play,” said coach Danny Kelly, who will be on the bench full-time Saturday for the first time at 1st Mariner Arena.
Look for the Blast to feed off the emotion of the crowd and come out firing from the opening whistle ? something they were unable to do in an 8-6 loss at Detroit in the season opener last Saturday.
Kelly has an idea of what it will take to right the ship.
“Be a blue-collar team, if you will,” Kelly said. “Like the city of Baltimore.”
Perhaps that understanding between team and city has been key in building three championship teams in four seasons.
“The fans over the past few years have been unbelievable,” Kelly said. “They really give us that extra lift when we?re playing at home. We want to work hard and play hard for them.”
BLAST OPENER
» The Blast are expecting a sell-out Saturday at 1st Mariner Arena, but some tickets might become available Saturday morning. For tickets, call 410-547-SEAT.
