When Denison Cabral talks to other players in the Major Indoor Soccer League, the conversations always include how great it is to play for Baltimore compared to the eight other franchises.
“When we go away, the other teams don?t have as much support and we see that right away. We?re spoiled,” the Blast forward said. “We recognize people in the stands ? family, friends, kids you work with in summer camps. It?s very unique, and we appreciate that.”
The Blast leads the MISL in attendance at the season?s midway point ? and it?s not even close. The team, which is by no means the league?s best on the field, is the MISL?s crown jewel in attendance. The Blast (8-7) has drawn 56,018 fans to eight games at 1st Mariner Arena ? an average of 7,002 per game, which is nearly 50 percent more than the league average.
But the disparity between the Blast and the rest of the league could widen considerably, as the Blast opens a three-game homestand knowing it no longer has to compete with the Ravens, NFL games and college football bowl games. The Blast?s attendance in slightly down from last season, when it averaged a league-high 7,448 spectators, but Kevin Healey, the team?s president and general manager, is confident the crowds with grow for the remaining seven home games, beginning with tonight?s game at 7:35 against Milwaukee (11-5).
“We?re the primary sporting event that is happening in Baltimore,” Healey said. “This is the opportunity for us to showcase what we?re all about. And we look for the public to come out and enjoy that product at this point in time, with the great races going on in the league. You can go from being out of the playoffs to contending for first place in one weekend.”
At the season?s midpoint, just four games separate the top six teams, including the Blast, who are four games behind league-leading Detroit (11-4).
The Blast drew large crowds before the Christmas break despite competing against higher profile sports because it focused on drawing youth teams and recognizing community figures. And with the Blast having won its past two games, Coach Danny Kelly believes the team is in prime position to add to its win total and revenue from ticket sales.
“It?s obviously an advantage,” Kelly said. “We need to do the job on the field and take care of our business to ensure our opportunity to win games, but the fans here, they give us a lift for sure. We know they?re behind us, and having three games coming up at home, all-important games, we need wins.”
The Blast drew a season-high, 10,115 for their season opener on Oct. 19. Only one team ?expansion New Jersey and its combination of an inaugural game and the appearance of soccer legend Pelé ? has drawn a bigger crowdthis season.
“They do a phenomenal job down there getting people in the seats and selling tickets,” said David Deal, a Philadelphia KiXX?s vice president of internal operations. “They continue to do it year in and year out. To be able to keep that tenure going, it?s something that we greatly respect and something we strive for continuously to keep up with the Blast.”
The Blast?s strategy is simple. It packages a fast-moving and exciting sport with playing music during games, inexpensive tickets ? the most expensive ticket is $30 ? and promotional give-aways, including tonight?s, when the first 2,000 fans receive a free figurine of Blast goalie Sagu.
“We want it to be an event when they come to the game,” Healey said. “The No. 1 event is the game itself, but we want it to be where there is entertainment throughout. We?re always looking to do a good job recognizing people that do things in the community, and we?ve built up a good name for that.”
