Just like a year ago, the defending Major Indoor Soccer League champion will be playing with its season on the line at 1st Mariner Arena.
But this time, it?s not the Blast.
The Philadelphia KiXX (11-14) visit 1st Mariner Arena tonight at 7:35 looking to salvage their fading season, but the Blast (14-9) can clinch a playoff spot with a win and a California (8-15) loss to New Jersey (12-10) on Saturday.
The Blast, which is seeking its 12 postseason berth in 16 seasons, missed the playoffs by one game last season after winning the title in 2006.
“It is very tough to repeat, and that?s why we were so proud to do what we did, winning three out of four years,” Kevin Healey, the team?s president, said. “You see the tight races in the league and it shows how close teams are in terms of their caliber. And each night, you see close games going into the fourth quarter. It?s good for the league.”
Adding to the regular matchup between neighboring rivals is the chance for the Blast to become the third team ? behind Milwaukee (16-7) and Detroit (15-7) ? to secure a berth in the postseason.
Merely making the playoffs, though, is not the Blast?s goal.
“It means absolutely nothing,” Blast coach Danny Kelly said. “To be honest, I?m not satisfied with a berth. I want to finish out the seven-game run the best we can. I don?t want to settle for anything.”
The Blast, which has won two of three games against Philadelphia this season, enters tonight?s game with a few minor injuries. David Bascome (knee), Scott Buete (foot) and Matt Watson (foot) are out, and rookie Michael Todd ? one of several players battling flu-like symptoms this week ? is a game-time decision.
Still, the Blast should be fresh coming off an 11-day break from its last game ? a loss to Detroit, which marked just the team?s second loss in the past 10 games.
“To be honest, I have mixed feelings about [having the last] weekend off,” Kelly said. “But we?re coming into a seven game stretch and the most important game of that stretch is against Philadelphia.”
After tonight, the Blast?s final six games include two against Chicago, as well as single matches against New Jersey, Detroit, California and Monterrey, Mexico. The Blast has gone a combined 6-7 against its final five opponents of the regular season.
“[Tonight] is a really big game against Philadelphia,” Kelly said. “We haven?t clinched anything. We need to win.”
NOTE » The Blast will be in disguise for tonight?s game against Philadelphia. The team will wear camouflage Army jerseys, which will be auctioned at game?s end, with the proceeds benefiting the U.S. Army Recruiting Battalion Family Readiness Group.
“I saw the jerseys, and they look cool,” Kelly said. “I think the guys are excited because it?s a cool jersey. Hopefully, we can go out and represent the people that are on our jerseys, and we can make them proud that we?re wearing Army jerseys.”
