Chicago Storm kick off XSL season Sunday
December 13, 2008 - Xtreme Soccer League (XSL)
Chicago Storm News Release
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (Dec. 13, 2008) - The Chicago Storm's fifth season of professional indoor soccer kicks off at 3 p.m. (CST) Sunday, Dec. 14, 2008, with a road match against the New Jersey Ironmen in Newark, N.J. Chicago and New Jersey, along with the Detroit Ignition and Milwaukee Wave, join the newly created Xtreme Soccer League for 2008-2009. The Storm enter the season with a mix of familiar faces, young talent and experienced indoor veterans. A total of 10 players of this season's roster had some role in the Storm's 2007-2008 campaign, which resulted in a 15-15 regular-season record and a third straight postseason appearance in the Major Indoor Soccer League Championship Series. Chicago also improved to 2-0 in the playoffs at the Sears Centre Arena with a victory against eventual MISL runner-up La Raza de Monterrey.
Goalkeeper Jeff Richey, midfielder Andy Rosenband and forward Awadalla Morad have been with the Storm since the team's inception in 2004. Richey and Rosenband both spent the off-season with the U.S. Futsal National Team, which earned third place in the CONCACAF and advanced to the 2008 FIFA Futsal World Cup in Brazil. Richey enters 2008-2009 as the team's premier goalkeeper, proving himself with 10 victories in 2007-2008 in split time in the net.
The Storm welcome back defender Lazo Alavanja this season. Alavanja spent his first two indoor seasons with the Storm, spent 2006-2007 away from indoor, played in 2007-2008 with New Jersey, and now sees himself a little closer to his hometown of Crown Point, Ind. Alavanja led New Jersey with 24 blocks in 2007-2008, and his 53 points tied for second on the Ironmen with Goran Vasic.
In the off-season, Alavanja, Storm newcomer Randi Patterson and third-year Storm player Stephen Armstrong played for the United Soccer Leagues First Division's Charleston Battery. The Battery reached the championship of the 2008 Lamar Hunt U.S. Open Cup.
One focal point of the Storm offense is Armstrong, who missed seven games in 2007-2008 and played through multiple injuries throughout the season, yet still scored 18 goals - second-best on the team. Armstrong opened his 2006-2007 indoor career with the Storm and scored 32 goals, a franchise record for a single-season performance. He led the MISL with 14 power play goals and earned Rookie of the Year honors.
Joining the Storm offense is Patterson, who led the USL-1's Charleston Battery with 10 goals and 21 points. Though he doesn't have previous professional indoor experience, last season proved that top outdoor talent can be molded for indoors. A strong example was the play of 2007-2008 rookie standout Ian Bennett. In 22 games, Bennett led all Storm rookies with 12 goals and 31 points. New up front this season is 2007-2008 Orlando Sharks rookie Chris Cerroni, who shouldered a heavy workload and contributed 13 goals and 33 points in 27 games.
Aside from Richey in the net, a strong contingent of the Storm's defense is back in the fold with Fabinho, Branko Savic, Chris Brisson, Will Kletzien and Gabriel Cigliano. Most of this group posted career-best numbers in 2007-2008. Fabinho put together a stellar campaign on both sides of the ball. In 27 games, he led the team in blocks with 45 and led all defenders with 36 points. Savic shined during his sophomore season with 42 blocks, seven goals and 17 points.
Head coach Steve Morris returns for his third campaign, and he enjoys the mix and focus of this season's group. "I believe we have the type of players who can gel together and form the right chemistry," Morris said. "We have selfless players who are willing to pull in one direction for the good of the team."
The Chicago Storm organization enters its fifth season of professional indoor soccer. Chicago's 2008-2009 Xtreme Soccer League season kicks off with a road game at New Jersey on Sunday, Dec. 14, and the Storm's home opener takes place at 7 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 20, against Milwaukee at the Sears Centre Arena. Storm offices are located at 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., in Hoffman Estates. For more information on all aspects of Storm soccer, including season tickets, group outings, birthday parties and more, call 1-866-STORM-81 (1-866-786-7681), or visit www.ChicagoStorm.net.
Xtreme Soccer League Stories from December 13, 2008
- Wave rally in second half for 11-4 win in opener - Milwaukee Wave
- Ignition fall to Wave, 11-4, in inaugural XSL game - Detroit Ignition
- Chicago Storm kick off XSL season Sunday - Chicago Storm
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