Weekend Preview
January 8, 2015 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Chicago Mustangs News Release
Hoffman Estates, IL- The Chicago Mustangs, proud members of the Major Arena Soccer League (www.MASLSoccer.com), will carry their hot streak into hostile territory when they travel to Milwaukee Saturday to face the Wave on their "We Hate Chicago" theme night.
The Mustangs are riding a 5-game winning streak into their match with Milwaukee. Chicago is hitting their stride at the right time scoring 88 goals on 72 assists this season including 21 goals in their last 2 games. The Wave are right on pace with the Mustangs with 80 goals on 60 assists. The big challenge for Chicago will be Wave goaltender Nick Vorberg. Vorberg boasts an impressive 4.43 goals against average and poses a tough challenge in the net for even the best scorers in the league.
Red-hot Mustangs forward Hewerton Moreira was also named to the MASL Team of the Week after a 7 goal, 2 assist weekend against Tulsa and Rochester.
TonCar 3 Keys of the Weekend!
1) Keep spreading the ball around. The Mustangs had 5 players with multi-goal games on the weekend including Hewerton's 2 multi-goal games. It will be important to open up the field against a disciplined Milwaukee team that can give anyone in the league a run for their money.
2) Find the hot hand...or foot. It will be vital for Chicago to stick with what has been working. Open the field up and get the ball to your playmakers. Hewerton, Miguel Sanchez and Guilherme Veiga were all at the top of their offensive games last weekend and it'll be vital to roll into Milwaukee with that momentum. When you mix those players in with the skill-sets of guys like "Wilo" Martinez and Miguel Vaca, you've got a pretty formidable set of dangerous scorers setting the tone for the offense.
3) Protect your goalie. Jesus Flores has been playing out of his mind. While it may seem like Flores has plastic wrap covering the goal lately, you are only as good as the men in front of you. The Mustangs saw first-hand against Tulsa how a porous defense can make even the greatest of efforts from a goalkeeper seem futile. If Chicago plays a clean game in front of their keeper, that will allow Flores to flourish which could spell trouble for Milwaukee.
Players to keep an eye on
Chicago Mustangs:
1. Victor Sanchez, Midfielder - "Chompis" scored 2 goals and had 2 assists against Tulsa and 2 points against Rochester including the game-winner in overtime. In the last 3 games Sanchez has 8 points on 5 goals and 3 assists and has been a key contributor during the winning streak.
2. Jesus Flores, Goalkeeper - Aptly referred to as Houdini after some amazing saves in overtime against Rochester, Flores has seen his goals against average steadily decline back to his career norm after a rocky start to the season. Having already seen the same amount of shots he saw last season, Flores holds a 6.55 goals against average this year. After allowing no more than 4 goals in his last 3 games, it's safe to say that Flores is settling in at the right time.
Milwaukee Wave:
1. Ian Bennett, Midfielder - Bennett is a force on offense having found the back of the net 16 times so far this season. 8 of those goals have come in the last 4 games including a 4-goal showing against Tulsa. While he get many assists, it's clear that the offense runs through Bennett.
2. Nick Vorberg, Goalkeeper - Vorberg has been stellar this season in net for the Wave. Minus a 7-goal game against Missouri, Vorberg hasn't given up more than 5 goals in a game this season. Vorberg's 4.43 goals against average speaks volumes about his abilities and shows what a true threat he is to shut down the high-octane Mustangs offense.
Catch Saturday's broadcast from the UW-Milwaukee Panther Arena right here, brought to you by La Maquina Deportiva, the Official Spanish Broadcast of the Chicago Mustangs.
Don't forget to follow the Mustangs on social media! Like us on Facebook, follow us on Twitter, Vine and Instagram for all your up-to-the-minute Mustangs news!
The Mustangs return home Sunday, January 18th at 3:05pm at the Sears Centre Arena against the Tulsa Revolution. Visit the Sears Centre box office, call the Mustangs front office at (847) 805-6633 or visit us on the web at www.chicagomustangspro.com for all of your ticket needs.
• Discuss this story on the Major Arena Soccer League message board...
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from January 8, 2015
- Weekend Preview - Chicago Mustangs
- Hewerton Named to MASL Team of the Week - Chicago Mustangs
- Lancer Weekend Preview - Rochester Lancers
- Ambush Travel to Wichita Saturday - St. Louis Ambush
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
