Force hits road for first time in 2005

January 19, 2005 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Cleveland Force News Release


CLEVELAND, OHIO - The Cleveland Force will take to the road for the first time in 2005 when the team will play its only road back-to-back games this Friday, January 21 and Saturday, January 22. The Force will first do battle with the Chicago Storm on Friday night at 8:30 p.m. followed by a match-up versus the Milwaukee Wave on Saturday at 7:05 p.m. Cleveland will play eight other back-to-back games during the remainder of the season but they will involve a home and road contest.

Both games can be heard live on WHK 1420 AM or 1440 AM in Warren/Youngstown or live worldwide on the Internet at www.thesportsking.com.

The Force enters the contest with a record of 6-8 overall, 2-1 versus the Storm, 0-1 versus the Wave and 2-3 on the road this season. Cleveland fell to the two-time defending MISL Champion Baltimore Blast on Sunday by a final score of 8-6 at the Convocation Center at Cleveland State University. The Force currently sits in sixth place in the MISL standings four games behind the St. Louis Steamers in first place, one game behind the Blast for the fourth and final playoff spot and two games ahead of the Storm in seventh place.

Chicago comes into the game on a seven game losing skid and with a record of 6-12 overall and 3-4 at the UIC-Pavilion. The Storm fell to the Kansas City Comets by a final score of 6-3 on Sunday at home. The Storm posted their lone victory over Cleveland at the UIC-Pavilion by a final score of 6-5 on November 4.

Milwaukee enters the game with a record of 11-6 overall and MISL best home record of 8-2 at the U.S. Cellular Arena. The Wave defeated the Philadelphia KiXX by a final score of 7-5 last Friday at home. Milwaukee is currently in second place in the MISL standings a half game behind the Steamers and one game a head of the KiXX in third place. The Wave defeated the Force by a final score of 6-5 in overtime on November 13 in Milwaukee. The Wave has won the last four meetings at home versus Cleveland, including a 3-0 record at U.S. Cellular Arena. The last time the Force defeated Milwaukee was on December 14, 2002 at the Bradley Center by a final score of 14-13 (multi-point scoring).

Cleveland is led by defender and team captain John Ball with seven points on five goals and two assists in the season series with Chicago. Defender Rene Rivas is second in the three games with five points on two goals and three assists.

The Storm is led by three players with three points apiece in the three games. Midfielder Matthew Stewart has recorded his three points on three goals while forward Byron Alvarez recorded two goals an assist. Defender Costea Decu, who did not play in the third game with an injury, rounds out the scoring attack with his one goal and two assists.

The Force is led by midfielder Robbie Aristodemo in the series with the Wave with two points on two goals. Five players are tied for second with one point as forwards Chris Handsor, Sipho Sibiya and Antonio Sutton each tallied a goal while midfielder Gary DePalma and Rivas each notched an assist in the first game.

Milwaukee is led by the defending MISL Most Valuable Player forward Greg Howes with three points in the series on two goals and an assist. Midfielder Marcelo Fontana and forward Todd Dusosky are tied for second with two points in the first meeting. Fontana recorded two goals, including the game-winner in overtime while Todd notched a goal and an assist.



Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from January 19, 2005


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