Coach's Corner, with Chicago Storm head coach Steve Morris
March 6, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - Storm head coach Steve Morris talks about how the team is handling its recent three-game losing streak heading into Saturday's and Sunday's matches against Monterrey and Detroit, respectively.
- Question: We're at that stage where teams are making final roster changes down the stretch. Do you think it's advantageous that the Storm's newest additions, even Stephen Brust with his two MISL games and two exhibition games, have been able to gradually jell within the system, versus other teams making quick moves to bolster their lineups?
- Coach Morris: Well, the difference is most of the other teams are bringing in veteran players. But the players that we have here, we're confident in. What role all of the players fit in to where we are at the end of the year and into the playoffs, that remains to be seen. We're going to play the best guys that we have on the field.
- Question: From the rookies who have worked their way in, are you happy with their development, even looking beyond just raw numbers?
- Coach Morris: I think obviously Ian Bennett's had some moments, but he hasn't been as sharp in the last few weeks as he had been earlier. Stephen's (Brust) doing OK. We're still trying to get him into the game. Gabriel (Cigliano) is progressing, just like he always has at the start of the season. I wouldn't say I'm over the moon with everyone right now, but we're definitely progressing.
- Question: This has been the team's toughest stretch all season. Are the players taking this three-game losing streak in stride, patiently waiting to break out of the skid?
- Coach Morris: We haven't played at our best, but we also haven't played as bad as some of the scores indicate. We've gotten off to bad starts in two games, and when you get behind in this game, then you have to press forward. When you press forward, you leave yourself exposed and give up some goals toward the end of games. We've been over the three most recent games on film and we think for the most part we've played well. We've given away some bad goals, some poor goals as far as the timing of the game. We've given up a couple goals in bunches, and when you do that you're not going to be successful. Overall, I still think we have the ability to play very well. I don't think we're far from that right now, and I hope Saturday we get back on track.
- Question: The upside has been the number of shots - quality shots - in the past couple of games, but the bounces just not going the team's way. Was the pattern in Monterrey pretty similar to the Baltimore match?
- Coach Morris: When we were in Monterrey ... that's sports. I'm a big proponent in that you make your own luck. And we haven't been making our own luck right now. Every team has. Some teams have gotten a jump on us. Some teams have perhaps worked harder than we have at periods of games, and I think that is the product of good fortune. Right now we're going to prepare, we're going to work extremely hard and we're going to hope that some of the breaks start going our way.
- Question: This Saturday, you guys go in having had eight days of rest. Monterrey, meanwhile, will have had two extra games preceding this match. Do you think this could play a factor into Saturday's match?
- Coach Morris: I don't think so. I don't think fatigue, at this point of the season, is that big of a factor. I look at a Monterrey team that has won six in a row - perhaps seven in a row when they come in here. When you're on that kind of streak, you look forward to playing. You look forward to getting on the floor no matter when it is. And I'm sure that that will be a factor compared to fatigue from matches or travel. Not at this point of the year.
- Question: On Sunday, another big match against Detroit. Of course, the last time back against the Ignition, the Storm had that solid 9-2 win. ... It would be nice to get that defensive magic back entering this weekend.
- Coach Morris: The trademark of our team, the way we tried to build this team, is a team that has individuals who can play - solid goalkeeping, protection of the ball. We haven't had all facets going right now. Whether it's Monterrey on Saturday or Detroit on Sunday, our main focus has been throughout the week to try to get back to the level where we're bringing all facets of the game. And then we'll see where the chips fall. We know we have enough talent in the room. It's just getting them to refocus, recommit, focus on attention to detail, and I know we will be back to where we want to be.
- Question: Within these batches of winning and losing stretches, it seems like when you're hot, you're hot, and when you're cold, you're cold.
- Coach Morris: For as hot and cold as we've been throughout the year, and for as cold as this stretch has been for the last three games where we haven't gotten the results, we're three games out of first place. We're within striking distance of again bettering our franchise mark as far as wins and losses. We've had a successful season up to this point, and we'll continue to be as successful as we can.
- Interview conducted by public and media relations director Charlie Corr.
The Chicago Storm are members of the Major Indoor Soccer League. 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 (866) STORM-81, or visit ChicagoStorm.net.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from March 6, 2008
- A day in the life of ... a member of the MISL's Chicago Storm - Chicago Storm
- KiXX take on Blast in Baltimore live on Fox Soccer Channel - Philadelphia KiXX
- Coach's Corner, with Chicago Storm head coach Steve Morris - Chicago Storm
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