Located only 100 miles apart by team bus, Baltimore and Philadelphia have long been Mason-Dixon rivals in indoor soccer. This weekend will only add to the storied history of two of the more stable franchises in the Major Indoor Soccer League.
This time around, though, the Blast are in an unusual position ? underdog.
At 7-9, the defending league champion will be looking to upset the first-place KiXX (10-5) this weekend in a two-game series. The Blast host Friday’s 7:35 game, while Philadelphia hosts the 7:05 Saturday start.
“We haven’t seen them that much,” Blast coach Danny Kelly said. “But normally, Philadelphia, because they’re close to us geographically, is just a natural rival. We’ve had some good battles in the past. I think this rivalry will heat up as this season goes on.”
The two met once this season, a 16-8 Philadelphia win at home on Jan. 14. Including this weekend’s pair of games, the Blast will face the KiXX five times in the final 14 games of the season. Currently in fifth place, the Blast are just 1.5 games out of the fourth and final playoff spot.
“It offers us an opportunity to keep pace with the pack and enhance our chances to get back into the postseason,” Kelly said.
Philadelphia poses a large hurdle in more ways than one. Shawn Boney, a 6-foot-7, 265-pound forward, will provide matchup problems for a Blast defense with an average height of about 5-10.
“The guy?s a handful. He’s a monster,” Kelly said. “He’s not just a mountain that stands there, he has good mobility ? and soft feet for a big man. He’s a guy you have to be aware of.”
Kelly, at 5-foot-9, faced Boney last season as a player.
“I took an elbowto the forehead from him, and I was seeing stars for a few seconds,” the former defender said.
But with a formidable opponent and some physically imposing players in the way, the Blast are not in position to flinch.
“I think you respect your opponent, but you don’t fear them,” Kelly said. “We need to go in there hungry and get a win.”
BLASTING POINTS
» Blast defender Christian Neagu is out for the season after missing the majority of the team’s games with a groin injury. He’s expected to have surgery soon.
» Other than Neagu and assistant coach David Bascome’s season-ending injuries, the Blast are as healthy as they have been all season.
» Lee Tschantret needs one point for 1,000 in his career.
