Chicago Mustangs Weekend Preview
January 1, 2015 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Chicago Mustangs News Release
Hoffman Estates, IL- The Chicago Mustangs, proud members of the Major Arena Soccer League ( HYPERLINK "www.MASLSoccer.com" www.MASLSoccer.com), will host the Tulsa Revolution January 3rd and the Rochester Lancers January 4th at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates. This will mark Chicago's first matchup with both teams this season.
The Mustangs are riding a 3 game winning streak into their Saturday match with Tulsa. Chicago is spreading the ball out well and now has 67 goals on 56 assists this season. The Revolution has 39 goals on the season and are averaging 11 goals against per game. Sunday's opponent, Rochester, has only 42 goals on the year but plays a very tough defensive game that has allowed them to average under 6 goals against per game.
TonCar 3 Keys of the Weekend!
1) Don't get complacent. Saturday's game has all the makings of a high-scoring affair from the Mustangs as their offense has a statistical edge over Tulsa's defense. Sometimes these tend to serve as trap games, and it's important that Chicago stays focused and maintains their momentum heading into a tough defensive matchup in Rochester.
2) Chemistry. Chicago signed two players, Matthew Stewart and Semir Mesanovic, before their matchup against the St. Louis Ambush and both players played and contributed immediately with assists during the comeback victory last weekend. It will be interesting to see what a week of practice together does for the team as the skilled newcomers seemed to mesh together pretty quickly.
3) Play smart. In a time where the team is really starting to hit its' groove, mental mistakes and penalties always have the potential to derail a team's momentum. It will be important, especially in game 2, to play a very clean game as Rochester plays a very tight, disciplined game.
Players to keep an eye on
Chicago Mustangs:
1. Miguel Vaca, Midfield - Vaca has been on a tear of late and has helped fuel the recent win streak. He is currently in the middle of a 4 game goal streak with 7 goals and 4 assists. Vaca scored 2 goals in the last game against the St. Louis Ambush and looks to continue the momentum.
2. Efrain "Wilo" Martinez, Forward - Wilo has been white-hot alongside Vaca with a 5 game point streak including 4 goals and 8 assists. He was integral in the comeback victory against St. Louis with 1 goal and 2 helpers including the game-winning assist to Vaca.
Tulsa Revolution:
1. Lucas Bunster Almeida, Midfielder - Almeida is Tulsa's leading scorer with 6 goals and 10 assists. He is currently on a 6 game point streak notching 4 goals and 9 assists. While Tulsa does not have a ton of firepower, Almeida seems to be able to find points pretty regularly.
2. Michael Poneys, Forward - Poneys is the other major offensive threat on the Revolution. He has uncorked 31 shots on the season with 9 of those falling for goals. Poneys also has 5 assists on the season, but he appears to be the go-to scorer on the offensive end.
Rochester Lancers
1. Mauricio Salles, Forward - Salles is a scorer. Plain and simple. He has 17 goals on 59 shots and has scored in every game he has played this season. Salles has also scored multiple goals in 6 of the 7 games, proving just how tough of a matchup he will be for the Mustangs
2. Lancers Goalies - Rochester has 2 goalies who have split starts this season and both pose a serious threat to stifle a high-octane offense like the Mustangs. Joe Kapinos has given up a paltry 12 goals on 77 shots for an average of less than 4 goals against per game. Marcelo Moreira has also seen time in net for the Lancers averaging just over 6 goals against per game. Both goalies have combined for an impressive 5 goals against per game. No matter who is in net, it is sure to be a big challenge for Chicago.
Tickets for this weekend's games as well as all Chicago Mustangs home games are on sale now! There is a buy 1 ticket get a ticket for the 2nd game for $1 special along with $5 student tickets with proof of a school ID and kids 12 and under are free! Tickets can be purchased online (click here), on the phone by calling (847) 805-6633 or by visiting the Sears Centre Box Office (5333 Prairie Stone Parkway, Hoffman Estates, IL 60192). For questions regarding the Chicago Mustangs please call (847) 805-6633.
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from January 1, 2015
- Chicago Mustangs Weekend Preview - Chicago Mustangs
- Silver Knights Even Thruway Rivalry - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Rochester Lancers Fall to Syracuse at Home 18-10 - Rochester Lancers
- Lancers Host Syracuse Today - Rochester Lancers
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