Chicago Riot Seeks 2nd Straight Win Over Missouri on Friday
Published on January 6, 2011 under Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Chicago Riot News Release
CHICAGO (Jan. 6, 2011) -- The Chicago Riot looks for its second straight win when the team faces the Missouri Comets at 7:35 p.m. Friday, Jan. 7, in Major Indoor Soccer League play at the Independence Events Center in Independence, Mo. A live webcast of the match is available through www.MISL.net, and Spanish-language radio is available at www.LaMaquinaDeportiva.com.
The Riot also announces a pair of signings in midfielder Miodrag "Miki" Djerisilo and midfielder Brandon Corday. Per team policy, terms of their agreements are not released. Chicago released forward Vladimir Knezevic and placed him on waivers.
Djerisilo and Corday are available for the Riot's weekend slate, which includes a 7 p.m. home match on Sunday, Jan. 9, against the Omaha Vipers at the Odeum Sports and Expo Center in Villa Park, Ill. For tickets, visit www.ChicagoRiotSoccer.com or call 630-708-6284.
The additions of Djerisilo and Corday provide a lift for a Riot team that has a pair of key injuries entering Friday's match. Chris Brisson had successful surgery this week by Dr. Craig Westin at the Chicago Center for Orthopedics at Weiss Hospital for a torn meniscus in his left knee. Brisson is out for four to six weeks, and he joins Riot forward Anthony Maher on this week's MISL Injury Report. Maher is out with a broken cheekbone injury he suffered during the Riot's win over Missouri on Dec. 19.
Djerisilo most recently played for the Detroit Ignition during the team's 2008-2009 Xtreme Soccer League championship season. Djerisilo has six previous seasons in the MISL, playing his first three seasons with the Kansas City Comets from 2002 to 2005. For his career, he has played in 178 games, tallied 75 goals, 79 assists, 203 points and 88 blocks.
"He's an MISL veteran, and that's what we need," Riot Head Coach Jeff Kraft said. "He runs a club in Detroit and comes highly recommended. He's been in the league for many years and has done well. It's an added bonus to have his caliber of play on the team."
Corday, a native of Morton Grove, Ill., and a standout at Niles West High School, played for the Chicago Storm during the 2008-2009 XSL season, tallying a two-point goal in 11 matches.
The Riot (1-4) is coming off its first MISL win, a 14-13 decision over host Missouri on Dec. 19. Chicago has had a two-and-half-week hiatus from league play since the victory. Forward Bato Radoncic earned MISL Player of the Week honors for his two-goal, one-assist performance in the match. Teammate Eric Lukin was instrumental with two second-half goals, including the game-winner. But Lukin and Radoncic did not travel for Friday's game for personal reasons. Radoncic, however, will be available for Sunday's game against Omaha.
Kraft will be juggling his front-line attack, pushing up captain Fred Degand into a forward role along with rookie Edward Santeliz and utility player Ante Cop.
"Freddy has played up top before, and Eddy's been contributing up there," Kraft said. "We're going to be a little shorthanded, but these guys are looking for the chance to play. We've had a long layoff and they can't wait for league play to resume."
The Comets (2-6) are coming off a 13-8 victory over the previously unbeaten Milwaukee Wave on Dec. 31, at Milwaukee. Byron Alvarez tallied three goals, an assist and seven points to lead Missouri, and Comets goalkeeper Danny Waltman saved 29 of 33 shots.
Following Friday's match, the Riot hosts the Omaha Vipers at the Odeum Sports and Expo Center in Villa Park, Ill. The night is a tribute to rock n' roll legends Elvis Presley, who would have turned 76 on Jan. 8, 2011, and Elvis Costello, who helped create the punk rock movement. Fans who dress up as either Elvis receive free Lager Riot standing room tickets, with upgrades to seating areas available at the ticket window. Festivities extend to halftime as a team of Elvis Presleys battle a team of Elvis Costellos in indoor soccer to determine the superior Elvis. Tickets are available starting at $10 at www.ChicagoRiotSoccer.com or by calling 630-708-6284.
Notes:
- Scoring leaders: Riot defender Chris Brisson and forward Bato Radoncic are tied for the team lead with eight points apiece -- both players have contributed three goals and two assists. ... The Comets are led by Byron Alvarez's 10 goals and 24 points. Leo Gibson leads Missouri with nine assists in eight games. Gibson is second on the Comets with 22 points.
- Familiar faces, local ties: Riot head coach Jeff Kraft started his playing career with the Kansas City Comets in 1986-1987, making his debut on May 3, 1986, against the Chicago Sting at the Rosemont Horizon (now Allstate Arena). ... Riot midfielders Miodrag Djerisilo and Sandre Naumoski and forward Anthony Maher have previously played for the K.C. Comets. ... Comets goalkeeper Danny Waltman has played for the Chicago Storm and Rockford Rampage. ... Comets forward Jamar Beasley has ties to the Chicago Fire (Major League Soccer) and Rockford Rampage, Byron Alvarez spent two seasons with the Chicago Storm, Leo Gibson and Geison Moura previously played for Rockford, and recently signed Comets forward Will John spent the 2005 MLS season with the Chicago Fire. ... Missouri defender Brian Harris is a native of Edwards, Ill., located several miles west of Peoria.
- Milestone watch: Riot goalkeeper Jeff Richey is 13 saves away from 800 for his career. Semir Mesanovic is one goal away from 75 career tallies.
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About the Riot's opponent, the Comets: In July of 2010, the Missouri Comets joined the Major Indoor Soccer League, bringing back the indoor game to the Greater Kansas City area. Former Kansas City Comets and Wichita Wings All-Star Kim Roentved is the Comets' head coach. The Copenhagen, Denmark, native joined the Comets in 1987 as a player and was part of the organization until it folded in the summer of 1991.
The Comets' first two signings were goalkeeper Danny Waltman and forward Worteh Sampson. Waltman, well known for his back-flips and energetic demeanor, previously played for the Detroit Ignition, Chicago Storm and Rockford Rampage. Waltman's standout campaign was in 2008-2009, when he led Detroit to the Xtreme Soccer League title and earned MVP honors.
The squad includes several former Rockford players from the 2009-2010 season, including forward Leo Gibson, midfielder Geison Moura and forward Jamar Beasley. Beasley started his indoor career with Kansas City during the 2003-2004 season. Before then, he had an outdoor career in Major League Soccer with the New England Revolution and then scored a career-high four goals in 18 games for the Chicago Fire.
The Comets play their home games at the Independence Events Center in Independence, Mo.
Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from January 6, 2011
- Chicago Riot Seeks 2nd Straight Win Over Missouri on Friday - Chicago Riot
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