Baltimore Blast - Florida Tropics Game Preview
April 5, 2019 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Baltimore Blast News Release
Baltimore Blast @ Florida Tropics
Saturday April 6th @ RP Funding Center 7:05 p.m. ET
You can watch the game on MASLTV: https://www.maslsoccer.com/masltv
Baltimore Blast: 16-7
Tied for first place in the Eastern Division.
Florida Tropics: 6-16
Third place in the Eastern Division.
All-time Series: Baltimore leads 9-3
Baltimore Players to Watch:
The Blast are looking to close out the regular season and prepare for the playoffs with a win against the Florida Tropics. Midfielder Jonatas Melo leads the Blast in assists (20) and points (39), and has recorded at least one point in his last eight games. Forward Vini Dantas has missed the last two games due to injury, but continues to lead the team in goals (23) and points per game (1.9). Dantas has recorded four hat-tricks this season, which also leads the team. Midfielder Tony Donatelli continues to produce at the age of thirty-four, and ranks third among Blast players in points this season with twenty-nine from fifteen goals and fourteen assists.
The Blast defense has been one of the best in the MASL this season and have only allowed thirteen goals in the last five games. Defenders Mike Deasel and Jereme Raley are both tied for the team lead in blocked shots with eighteen, while Adriano Dos Santos provides an offensive force from defense. Dos Santos has tallied twenty-three points, which is a career high while playing in the MASL. Goalkeeper William Vanzela continues to perform at a high level in his seventh season with the Blast. Vanzela has recorded a third-best 4.09 goals allowed average and a league-leading 75.3% save percentage. The Blast currently have a 16-7 record on the season with a 6-5 record away from home this season.
The Blast will be without Lucas Roque and Daniel Peruzzi as they recover from their knee injuries. The Blast will also be missing Marco Nascimento due to injury. The Blast are coached by Head Coach Danny Kelly and Assistant Coach David Bascome.
The Competition - Florida Tropics
The Florida Tropics look to close out their regular season with an even 6-6 home record by beating the three-time defending champion Blast. Midfielder Victor Parreiras leads the Tropics in assists (13) and points (28). Forward Ricardo de Queiroz Diegues leads the team in goals scored with twenty-two this season. Forward Guilherme Dos Santos has provided points in his limited action this season. Dos Santos returned to the field last weekend for the first time in two months, and leads the Tropics in points per game (1.8). Midfielder Antonio Manfut ranks third on the team in points scored with twenty-one this season.
Defender JP Reyes leads the Tropics defense in blocked shots with twenty this season. The Tropics have seven players, including Reyes, that have registered at least ten blocked shots this season, which is tied for the sixth most in the MASL. Despite the Tropics record, they boast one of the best power play units in the league. Both the power play and penalty kill units for the Tropics rank fifth in the league. The Tropics also lead the South Central Division with three short-handed goals this season. The Tropics have a 6-16 record, with a 5-6 record at home on the year.
The Florida Tropics are coached by Head Coach Clay Roberts, and Assistant Coach Will Arroyo.
Upcoming Games:
April 20th 6:00 p.m. ET Baltimore Blast vs. Utica City FC*
April 22nd 6:30 p.m. ET Baltimore Blast @ Utica City FC*
April 22nd 9:30 p.m. ET Baltimore Blast @ Utica City FC**
*postseason game
**Mini-game if necessary
• Discuss this story on the Major Arena Soccer League message board...
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from April 5, 2019
- Baltimore Blast - Florida Tropics Game Preview - Baltimore Blast
- MetroStars Visit Harrisburg to Wrap up MASL Season - Mississauga MetroStars
- Game Preview April 6 - Mississauga MetroStars vs. Harrisburg Heat - Harrisburg Heat
- Home Season Finale Saturday as Three-Time Defending MASL Champ Baltimore Blast Visits - Florida Tropics SC
- Tenacity On Display In 19th Straight Win - San Diego Sockers
- Jones Hat Trick Not Enough as Fury Falls 10-6 to Visiting Sockers - Ontario Fury
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.
