All-Star Weekend in St. Louis a blast
March 2, 2004 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
St. Louis Steamers News Release
The St. Louis Steamers and the St. Louis region responded in a big way to the challenge of hosting the 2004 MISL All-Star Weekend. Activities kicked off Thursday, Feb. 26 with the MISL Welcome Reception at the Ameristar Casino Bottleneck Blues Bar. Friday, Feb. 27 was highlighted by MasterCard Community Day, in which two busloads of MISL All-Stars visited five hospitals and schools throughout the region. Friday also featured the MISL Amateur Draft at the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, and a press conference during which MISL Commissioner Steve Ryan announced that the League will have an expansion team in Stockton, Calif., for the 2005-2006 season.
Saturday, Feb. 28 featured the MISL All-Star Family Festival at The Family Arena. Among the activities were the Spalding All-Star Youth Skills Competition, MISL Legends and St. Louis Steamers Legends practice, All-Star Team practice, the MISL All-Star Skills Challenge, and the MISL "Autograph Alley." Saturday evening was highlighted by the "Commissioner's Celebration of Excellence," a gala dinner/auction at the Renaissance Grand Concourse Ballroom. Among the highlights of the dinner was the presentation of the inaugural Keough Awards, which were given to local standouts Taylor Twellman and Lori Chalupny.
The successful weekend was punctuated by the MISL All-Star Game and the MISL Legends Game. In the All-Star Game, MISL USA defeated MISL International 10-1. Steamers player-coach Daryl Doran, playing in his 13th professional indoor All-Star game, had two goals for MISL USA, and Steamers forward Steve Butcher added a goal. Guiliano Celenza of Baltimore was named MVP for the USA squad with three goals and an assist. In the All-Star Legends Game, the MISL Legends defeated the Steamers Legends 9-4. Saint Louis University head coach Dan Donigan, who was playing for the MISL Legends, scored two goals and garnered MVP honors.
âDoran the Man' shines in hometown All-Star festivities Daryl Doran has some lofty accomplishments during his prolific 20-year professional indoor career. However, Doran might have outdone himself this past weekend. After being named to his 13th professional indoor all-star game, Doran, who turns 41 March 29, wasn't content to make an obligatory appearance; the St. Louis native was a standout in three on-field opportunities. He started things off by winning the juggling competition in the the Feb. 28 All-Star Skills Challenge. Doran defeated Baltimore's Carlos "Chile" Farias by a split second in the finals of the juggling event; in the timed competition, participants had to juggle the ball 50 times off various parts of their body without letting the ball hit the playing surface.
The St. Louis Steamers and the St. Louis region responded in a big way to the challenge of hosting the 2004 MISL All-Star Weekend. Activities kicked off Thursday, Feb. 26 with the MISL Welcome Reception at the Ameristar Casino Bottleneck Blues Bar. Friday, Feb. 27 was highlighted by MasterCard Community Day, in which two busloads of MISL All-Stars visited five hospitals and schools throughout the region. Friday also featured the MISL Amateur Draft at the Renaissance St. Louis Airport Hotel, and a press conference during which MISL Commissioner Steve Ryan announced that the League will have an expansion team in Stockton, Calif., for the 2005-2006 season.
Saturday, Feb. 28 featured the MISL All-Star Family Festival at The Family Arena. Among the activities were the Spalding All-Star Youth Skills Competition, MISL Legends and St. Louis Steamers Legends practice, All-Star Team practice, the MISL All-Star Skills Challenge, and the MISL "Autograph Alley." Saturday evening was highlighted by the "Commissioner's Celebration of Excellence," a gala dinner/auction at the Renaissance Grand Concourse Ballroom. Among the highlights of the dinner was the presentation of the inaugural Keough Awards, which were given to local standouts Taylor Twellman and Lori Chalupny.
The successful weekend was punctuated by the MISL All-Star Game and the MISL Legends Game. In the All-Star Game, MISL USA defeated MISL International 10-1. Steamers player-coach Daryl Doran, playing in his 13th professional indoor All-Star game, had two goals for MISL USA, and Steamers forward Steve Butcher added a goal. Guiliano Celenza of Baltimore was named MVP for the USA squad with three goals and an assist. In the All-Star Legends Game, the MISL Legends defeated the Steamers Legends 9-4. Saint Louis University head coach Dan Donigan, who was playing for the MISL Legends, scored two goals and garnered MVP honors.
âDoran the Man' shines in hometown All-Star festivities Daryl Doran has some lofty accomplishments during his prolific 20-year professional indoor career. However, Doran might have outdone himself this past weekend. After being named to his 13th professional indoor all-star game, Doran, who turns 41 March 29, wasn't content to make an obligatory appearance; the St. Louis native was a standout in three on-field opportunities. He started things off by winning the juggling competition in the the Feb. 28 All-Star Skills Challenge. Doran defeated Baltimore's Carlos "Chile" Farias by a split second in the finals of the juggling event; in the timed competition, participants had to juggle the ball 50 times off various parts of their body without letting the ball hit the playing surface.
UPCOMING PROMOTIONS:
Saturday, March 6 vs. Cleveland Force â 1:05 p.m. kickoff
Steamers Legends Autograph Session
· Former Steamers players will sign autographs during halftime
Wednesday, March 17 vs. Dallas Sidekicks â 7:35 p.m. kickoff
St. Patrick's Day Game
· The Steamer players will don a "wee bit o' green" with their special Irish jerseys that will be raffled off after the game; specials on "green" beer.
Friday, March 19 vs. Kansas City Comets â 7:35 p.m. kickoff
St. Charles County Youth Soccer Association Night
· SCCYSA teams receive a special group discount and selected teams will be highlighted during a halftime ceremony
Saturday, March 27 vs. Milwaukee Wave â 1:05 p.m. kickoff
The Backstoppers Fundraiser
· 50% of the proceeds from tickets sales for this game will be donated to The Backstoppers, which serves the families of police officers and firefighters in the St. Louis area who have perished in the line of duty.
Lions Club Eyeglass Program
· The Lions Club will be collecting used eyeglasses from fans for donation to its Lions Club Eyeglass Program
Fan Appreciation Game
· All fans with paid admission for this game can redeem their ticket stub for a free admission to a Steamers home game prior to December 31, 2004
TICKET INFORMATION: Single-game tickets ranging from $7 to $15 are available at The Family Arena box office; by calling MetroTix at 314-534-1111; or by visiting metrotix.com. For general information on the Steamers, visit www.stlsteamers.com, or call 1-866-STL-KICK (1-866-785-5425).
The Steamers enter this weekend's games against Cleveland (March 6) and Milwaukee (March 7) on a roll, having won three straight games and four of their past five. The Steamers (10-15) trail Milwaukee by 8.5 games in the MISL Central Division, but are now just ½ game behind San Diego and Kansas City for the sixth and final MISL playoff berth.
This Week's Itinerary:
Monday, March 1 â Practice, Soccerdome (Webster Groves), 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Tuesday, March 2 â Practice, Dellwood, 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Wednesday, March 3 â Practice, Soccerdome (Webster Groves) 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Thursday, March 4 â Practice, Soccerdome (Webster Groves) 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m.
Friday, March 5 â Practice, Soccerdome (Webster Groves) 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m
Saturday, March 6 â Steamers vs. Cleveland Force, 1:05 p.m., The Family Arena
Sunday, March 7 â Steamers at Milwaukee Wave, 1 p.m., U.S. Cellular Arena
The Steamers host the Cleveland Force March 6 at 1:05 p.m. at The Family Arena in the third of four meetings this season between the two teams. The Steamers are 2-0 thus far this season against the Force. In the first meeting (Dec. 30 in St. Louis), Sterling Wescott scored at 8 minutes, 55 seconds of sudden-death overtime to give St. Louis a 3-2 victory. Then, on Jan. 30 in Cleveland, Steamers defender Matt Caution scored an unassisted goal at 14 minutes, six seconds of the fourth quarter to cap a wild final period and provide the margin of victory in the Steamers' 6-5 win over the Force. Following the Cleveland game, the Steamers travel to Milwaukee to take on the MISL Central Division leading Wave. The Steamers look for their first victory of the year against Milwaukee after four previous losses.
UPCOMING SCHEDULE: (Home games in bold; all times local to home team)
DATE TIME OPPONENT LOCATION
Saturday, March 6 1:05 PM Cleveland Force Family Arena
Sunday, March 7 1:00 PM Milwaukee Wave Reunion Arena
Sunday, March 14 5:00 PM San Diego Sockers Sports Arena
Wednesday, March 17 7:35 PM Dallas Sidekicks Family Arena
Friday, March 17 7:35 PM Kansas City Comets Family Arena
STEAMERS RECORD: RECENT RESULTS:
Overall: 10-15 2/16 vs. San Diego Sockers, W, 6-3
Home: 6-8 2/20 at Kansas City Comets, W, 5-3
Road: 4-7 2/21 vs. Philadelphia KiXX, W, 8-3
vs. Central Division Opponents: 3-6 THIS WEEK'S GAMES: (All times CST)
vs. Eastern Division Opponents: 4-5 3/6 vs. Cleveland Force, 1:05 p.m.
vs. Western Division Opponents: 3-4 3/7 at Milwaukee Wave, 1:00 p.m.
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Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from March 2, 2004
- Brett Phillips named Goalkeeper of the Month - St. Louis Steamers
- MISL names players of the month - MISL 2
- All-Star Weekend in St. Louis a blast - St. Louis Steamers
- Morris Named MISL Defensive Player of the Month - Philadelphia KiXX
- This Week With The Force - Cleveland Force
- Force announces coaching change - Cleveland Force
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