Coach's Corner with Storm head coach Steve Morris
January 17, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - Head coach Steve Morris talks about the Storm's upcoming match against the defending MISL champion Philadelphia KiXX.
- Question: The Storm had quite a few scoring opportunities against Detroit. What was the setback in not putting a few more of those chances in the back of the net?
- Coach Morris: We played well from our goal line to the opposing team's yellow line. But the final third of the field, we lacked punch, we lacked finish, and we lacked ideas of how to create goals. We settled for long-distance shots and poor shots. When we did finally attack the boards (near the goal), we usually had nobody in the box to compete for the opportunities. Like I said, from our goal line to their yellow line, we played pretty well. We possessed the ball well and moved the ball well. We just weren't sharp in the final third.
- Question: Mariano Bollella had a good game (a goal and his 125th career assist). Talk about his ability to create for other people, because that has been a steady asset for the year and a half he's been here.
- Coach Morris: Mariano's a leader on this team. That's why he's wearing the captain's band. If you'd ask Mariano and you'd ask me, Mariano's in a period of struggle right now. He's still getting a goal here and there, an assist here and there. But the energy and enthusiasm he generally brings to the game is lacking a little bit right now. And part of that is because of a nagging little injury. It's partly due to playing him a lot of minutes early on in the season. We need to get him over this little hurdle and get him fresh and sharp again.
- Question: Successful indoor players make short, quick touches and are confident with the ball while being pressured. Mariano certainly fits that mold.
- Coach Morris: I think it's important for possession. You have to have people who are comfortable on the ball, and the majority of the team is pretty comfortable on the ball. Mariano is probably one of the better ones in the league as far as dealing with tight spaces and dealing with pressure while he has (the ball). And he's a gifted dribbler, but it's not necessarily your one-on-one type dribbles. It's more of post control and retaining possession, and keeping the offense with the ball.
- Question: The team plays Philadelphia for a second time this season. Last time was a defensive battle, and the KiXX had a recent 4-0 shutout against Baltimore. Are you expecting another defensive struggle?
- Coach Morris: They're playing a lot better now than when we saw them last. Their newer players are jelling now with the surviving defending champs, and they're going to be a tough opponent. They've played well in this building in the past and we have to be sharp. We have to be focused. We have to be very diligent with what we do. That is always the case. If we can play with the right attitude and the right enthusiasm and energy, generally I'm pretty confident about our abilities.
- Question: Do you recall a shutout in your coaching or playing days? It's a pretty rare feat.
- Coach Morris: I think I was involved in one game when we shut an opponent out when I played in Milwaukee. We've been close, holding teams to two and three. But rarely shut out. It's not easy to do indoors, but when you play good defense and you have a good goalkeeper in (Philadelphia's) Peter Pappas, there's an opportunity for them. There's an opportunity for it in every game. He's a special goalkeeper. He's been one of the better goalkeepers, if not THE best goalkeeper, in the last 10 years. So congratulations to them, but we have to make sure it doesn't happen again.
- 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 January 17, 2008
- Storm host defending MISL champs on Fox Soccer - Chicago Storm
- Wave Weekly - Milwaukee Wave
- KiXX-Storm live on Fox Soccer Channel - Philadelphia KiXX
- Coach's Corner with Storm head coach Steve Morris - Chicago Storm
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