Blast Opens the Holiday Season with Matchup Versus Orlando
December 6, 2019 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Baltimore Blast News Release
Baltimore Blast vs. Orlando Seawolves
Saturday December 7th @ SECU Arena 6:05 P.M. ET
You can watch the game live on MASLTV: https://www.maslsoccer.com/masltv
2019-20 Baltimore Blast: 1-1 (1-0 at Home; 0-1 away from home)
Sixth Place in the Eastern Conference
2019-20 Orlando Seawolves: 0-2 (0-1 at Home; 0-1 away from home)
Seventh Place in the Eastern Conference
All time series: Blast lead 3-0
Baltimore Players to Watch:
The Blast last fell in the opening day rematch versus Utica City FC by a score of 4-2, and are looking to bounce back against the Orlando Seawolves. Vini Dantas scored two goals in that game to tie him with forward Daniel Peruzzi (3) for the team lead. The three goals by Dantas and Peruzzi are the joint third highest goal tallies in the Eastern Conference. Forward Juan Pereira leads all MASL players with five assists to begin the season. His opening night tally of four assists put him ahead of the rest of the MASL while adding one more last game.
Defender Adriano Dos Santos returns to the Baltimore Blast lineup, following his participation with the US Men's Beach Soccer team in the 2019 FIFA Beach Soccer World Cup in Paraguay. The 10 year veteran Defender will seek to improve upon his 2018-19 season that garnered an All MASL First Team Selection. Ibrahima 'Kalou' Keita put two goals past Utica City, on the way to receiving a selection in the MASL Team of the Week for Week One. Jonatas Melo and Tony Donatelli will look to dominate the midfield as they combined for 70 points last season.
Marco Nascimento will miss this Saturday's game against Orlando as he recovers from an injury sustained from last season. The Blast are coached by Head Coach Danny Kelly & Assistant Coach David Bascome.
The Competition - Orlando Seawolves
Orlando will look to improve upon their home opening loss against the new-look Florida Tropics 3-2. The main question entering this season is how Orlando will replace the production of Gordy Gurson, who registered the fourth most points in the MASL last season with 58. The defensive partnership of Richard Schmermund and Joshio Sandoval registered an impressive 31 points between the two, last season. Thiago Freitas, who placed second last year in points for the Seawolves, will miss this weekend's game versus the Blast.
Goalkeeper Piotr Sliwa will assume the starting goalkeeper role after an impressive first game against the Florida Tropics, in which he only allowed three goals. Midfielders Jonathan Mendoza and Mario Alvarez will assume a larger role in the Seawolves midfield as they look to break into the playoff picture this season. The Orlando Seawolves are coached by Head Coach Chris Kokalis.
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