Blast From the Past-McDonald Returns to Coach Blast
October 3, 2002 - A-League (A-League)
Indiana Blast News Release
INDIANAPOLIS- Today MorSports executives named Jimmy McDonald head coach of the Indiana Blast. McDonald was the head coach of the Blast from the time of their entrance into the USL (United Soccer League) D3 Pro League in 1997, seeing them through the team's first two seasons in the A-League.
Throughout his four years as head coach, McDonald compiled a record of 52-48-4, including two D3 North Central division titles in '97 and '98. In '99 McDonald's new A-League team set a record for wins by a team promoted from the Pro League, missing a spot in the playoffs by just one point. In 2000 McDonald lead his team to their first appearance in the A-League playoffs.
After coaching the Blast for four seasons, McDonald turned his focus to the development of youth players, serving as Indiana Blast Soccer Camp director in 2001 and 2002.
McDonald stepped back into the pro coaching circuit as the 2002 season drew to a close, sharing the sidelines with the then head coach Eric Descombes. McDonald is credited with helping to turn the tides on a less than stellar season.
"I look forward to working with this squad of players," said McDonald. "Our goal is to qualify for the playoffs next year and I think the nucleus of players on this team can do just that."
McDonald hopes to build from the end of the 2002 season when the Blast tied three of the top teams in the league, including the newly crowned A-league champions the Milwaukee Rampage.
"We finished strong at the end of the season," said McDonald. "It proves the talent is there, but it's up to all of us to make it work.
The Blast will open training camp on April 1st and will kick off the season in late April.
W-LEAGUE UPDATE-In an announcement today, the month long initiative focused on the return of a W-league team to Indianapolis in 2003 has not met it's goal. "Regrettably, and despite all of our efforts, our W-League team will not return to the pitch in '03," announced MorSports President Kim Morris. MorSports, Inc. would like to thank the number of people, businesses, and organizations that contributed to the effort. Your support is greatly appreciated.
• Discuss this story on the A-League message board...
A-League Stories from October 3, 2002
- Blast From the Past-McDonald Returns to Coach Blast - Indiana Blast
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.
