Blast trades leading scorer to St. Louis
Published on March 18, 2005 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Baltimore Blast News Release
Baltimore â Baltimore Blast General Manager Kevin Healey announced today that the team has traded forward Chile Farias to the St. Louis Steamers for Mike Apple and Nate Houser. Farias, the Blast's leading scorer, did not play for the team last weekend in Cleveland. Apple and Houser will arrive in Baltimore today and will play for the Blast tomorrow night in Philadelphia.
"Chile Farias was an outstanding player for the Blast; however, it is time for our organization to move in another direction," Healey said. "We are very pleased with the addition of Mike Apple and Nate Houser. They are both excellent players who should help in our stretch run to the playoffs."
Apple, a 6-1, 190-pound forward, had 29 points for the Steamers in 26 games this season. He started his indoor career with the Cleveland Crunch in 1999-2000 and left the indoor game until last season when he played for the Steamers. Apple led the Steamers with 21 goals this season, eight of which came in against the Blast. In the four games against Baltimore this season, Apple led the Steamers with 11 points (eight goals and three assists). The 27-year-old native of Akron, OH was named MISL Offensive Player of the Week on November 15th. Apple also played for the Pittsburgh River Hounds of the A-League.
Houser, a 12-year veteran of the indoor game, had four goals and four assists (eight points) for the Steamers this year. Houser started his professional indoor career in Kansas City in 1993 and played for the Comets until the Steamers acquired him this season. The 6-3, 190-pound midfielder was named MISL Defender of the Week on November 29 after recording one goal, one assist and three blocks in two games that weekend. Originally from San Diego, CA, Houser won two NPSL Championships with Kansas City (1997 and 1993) and was a League All-Star in 2000. He was a two-time NAIA All-American at Baker University where he set school records for goals (62), assists (38) and points (172).
Farias, who had 22 goals and 19 assists (41 points) in 25 games for the Blast this season, last played for the team on March 1st. A two-time MISL All Star, Farias is tied to rank third in points in the MISL this season. The Blast acquired Farias from the San Diego Sockers prior to the 2003-04 season in exchange for Sean Bowers.
The Blast (13-16, sixth place in the MISL), has 10 games remaining in the regular season and needs to move into the fourth spot in order to advance to the 2005 MISL postseason. The Blast will play tomorrow night (March 19th) in Philadelphia before returning to 1st Mariner Arena on Saturday, March 26th to host the Chicago Storm. Blast tickets are on sale now by calling the Blast office at 410-73-BLAST. Single-game tickets cost $20 and $17 and are available at the 1st Mariner Arena Box Office and by calling TicketMaster at 410-547-SEAT or online at www.ticketmaster.com. For additional information on all Blast tickets, call the Blast office at 410-73-BLAST.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from March 18, 2005
- Steamers acquire forward Carlos âChileâ Farias from Baltimore - St. Louis Steamers
- Blast trades leading scorer to St. Louis - Baltimore Blast
- KiXX Entertain Defending Champs on March 19 - Philadelphia KiXX
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.
