Carlos Garcia scored twice in tonight's game against the Missouri Comets. (Photo courtesy of Shawn Levin - www.shawnlevin.com)
I learned my lesson.
I don’t write positive ledes now until the win is in the books. And I’m happy to report that my little superstition here worked out just fine, as the Blast claimed a 17-9 victory over the Missouri Comets — their first win at home in their last home game of the year.
“The home win was crucial,” said head coach Danny Kelly. “We had to win after losing two games in a row. We started off well, but at times we switch off in games. We have to cut that out.”
For the first time in a while, the Blast got onto the board early when Missouri goalkeeper Danny Waltman came a few feet out of the goal. Newcomer Shaun David took a shot off a pass from Pat Healey and the nearby Missouri defender wasn’t able to make the block. Just over five minutes in, Missouri served a two-minute penalty for the team having too many players in the field, and in 20 seconds, Adauto Neto found the back of the net to put the Blast up by 4. A few minutes later, Carlos Garcia was put in the box for practically plowing down a Comet (officially called holding), and he also received a yellow card with a five-minute penalty for misconduct. With David serving the two minutes in the box, a tight defense on the power play team, and a beautiful diving save from Sagu, the Blast killed the power play opportunity.
Things stayed quiet in the second quarter until Missouri’s newly signed Tiguinho scored from the left off an assist from the Comets’ Neto. Missouri quickly scored again, this time from Geison to Neto, but the Blast followed up nine seconds later with a hard-fought goal from Machel Millwood on an assist from Matt Watson to regain the lead.
The Blast added to their lead to start the second half with a two-point goal from Garcia on a pass from Healey. Six minutes in, Missouri’s Vahid Assadpour was put in the box for a hand ball, and with only nine seconds left in the power play, Mike Lookingland sent a pass Garcia’s way, who knocked it off of Waltman’s back and into the net. Missouri’s Leo Gibson was able to put two more points on the board when David was penalized for striking. As time ran out in the third quarter, David found himself in the penalty box again, this time for kicking.
The Blast were able to kill that power play opportunity and get another one for themselves when the Comets’ Stefan Stokic was called for holding. Shortly into the power play, a controversial handball call was made on Missouri, and the referees decided to make it a drop ball. The Comets came away unscathed, but a few minutes later, Neto tore down the field and found the back of the net with a beautiful shot, bring the Blast up 12-6.
With just over four minutes left in the game, Missouri put in Assadpour as the sixth attacker. Like last week, it looked like it would pay off for Missouri when Tiguinho scored a three-pointer with just over two minutes left in the game, bringing the score to 12-9. From all the way downfield, however, Lookingland launched the ball and it rolled into the unattended goal. Shortly after, Ptah Myers followed up with a two-pointer, and the Blast notched their first home win, 17-9.
“At times during the game we had a lack of discipline,” Kelly said. “And then in the fourth quarter we showed that willingness to close out the game, to do whatever it took. We did what it took to win that game.
“A lot of times in that fourth quarter, it’s about an attitude. It’s about a willingness to do whatever it takes to get a win, and I think we showed that tonight.”
***
Tonight’s game was a bittersweet one for many fans and those in the organization as it marked the last home game of Watson’s Baltimore Blast career. The former UMBC Retriever, who has spent his five indoor seasons with the Blast, will join the MLS Vancouver Whitecaps in January. He has been a member of two championship teams, and has averaged over a point per game over the course of his career.
“I’m delighted to have an opportunity to play for the Vancouver Whitecaps and I look forward to being part of such a prestigious club,” said Watson in a press release sent out earlier today. “I’m fortunate that since I started my career all the organizations I’ve played for have been synonymous with success and professionalism and I know Vancouver is no different. The Richmond Kickers, Carolina RailHawks and Baltimore Blast — I owe all these clubs a lot. Baltimore means a lot to me for many reasons personally and professionally: I met my wife here, I went to school at UMBC, I started my career here and I won two indoor championships here — it’s really my home away from home. I wish the team luck and I know they’re capable of winning this championship. I thank Kevin Healey for allowing me to take this chance, as well as Danny Kelly and David Bascome. The fan support here is phenomenal and honestly there is no other MISL fans as dedicated as the ones in Baltimore.”
Filed in: Baltimore Blast, MISL.
Tags: Adauto Neto, Baltimore Blast, Carlos Garcia, Danny Kelly, Danny Waltman, Machel Millwood, Mike Lookingland, Missouri Comets, Pat Healey, Ptah Myers, Sagu, Shaun David, WIN column
not really related to your article, which is well done as always, but what was with the turnout tonight? I know they had yet to win at home but that couldn’t have been more than 2500. They really need to do something to fill in that fan gap between older folks who have followed the team for decades and people bringing their kids. I’m not sure I saw anyone who looked to be in their twenties who wasn’t on the field or a cheerleader.
a little over 4,100 people were are the game i was on the odd side of the arena and it was packed as always in section 211
I talked with several of the staff memebers during the game, and they expected turnout to be very light. A Friday-night home game just a week before Christmas was not the ideal timing. Many of the regulars on the stage were missing, too.
Announced attendance was 4081 — less than half what we had for the home opener, but still well ahead of the average attendance for any other club in the MISL so far.
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[...] connection is spotty at best so it’s the fourth quarter and I’m breaking my rule of not writing ledes prematurely because I need to knock this bad boy out, haul ass home and stick my head in the [...]