If rivalries indeed bring out the best in teams, the Blast can thank the Philadelphia KiXX for a spirited weekend of play that could be the turning point in the defending champions? season.
Heading into this past weekend, the Blast were 7-9 and stuck in fifth place in the Major Indoor Soccer League standings. After a pair of big wins over the first place KiXX (10-7), the Blast vaulted into a tie for fourth place and moved within 1.5 games of Philadelphia and Milwaukee, which are tied for the league lead.
The Blast took a 19-12 win over the KiXX at 1st Mariner Arena Friday and a 16-8 victory at Philadelphia?s Wachovia Spectrum Saturday night.
“Two-game win streak,” Blast coach Danny Kelly said. “I don?t know how many we?ve had this year.”
The Blast last won two straight in early December and will look to extend its current win streak to three when they host Milwaukee Feb. 17. But the Blast have not fared well coming off lengthy breaks, losing on both occasions in which they had two-week gaps between games.
“We won?t see the postseason unless we take care of business now,” Kelly said.
The first half of the season was a disappointment for the Blast. The defending MISL champion has won three of the last four league titles, but founditself in last place as recently as Jan. 6.
Injuries played a role, with 2005-2006 league MVP Aduato Neto and the team?s leading scorer Giuliano Celenza missing significant time. Each of those players returned two weeks ago.
“You see they?re very important,” goalkeeper Sagu said, noting that both Celenza and Neto draw multiple defenders when they?re on the floor.
The Blast placed significance in getting the offense rolling and broke out with 35 points in the home-and-home series with Philadelphia.
“It?s very important,” said Machel Millwood, who scored three times Friday and now has a team-leading 19 goals. “The more guys that score, the more guys they have to defend in the game. And that will leave other guys open.”
Since Celenza?s return, the Blast has scored 51 points in four games.
“Anytime you can have balanced scoring, teams can?t key on one individual,” Kelly said. “It makes defenses more aware of where they are and opens up spaces for others. If we get more guys scoring, they can?t really key in on one guy.”
