Let the games begin
Published on May 19, 2006 under Major League Lacrosse (MLL)
Chicago Machine News Release
The Chicago Machine kicks off its inaugural season on Saturday night against the Denver Outlaws at Invesco Field at Mile-High Stadium in Denver, Colorado. The opening face-off is set for 7:30pm. The Denver Outlaws and Chicago Machine are two of the four new expansion teams for the 2006 season and join the San Francisco Dragons and Los Angeles Riptide in the Western Conference.
Entering into their inaugural season, the Chicago Machine has a significant amount of talent to contribute to their game. Kevin Leveille, Machine attackman, joins the Chicago Machine for his fourth season in Major League Lacrosse after playing the last three seasons with the Boston Cannons and coming out of last season as second in MLL in goals (39). On the defensive end, Todd Rassas comes with experience as captain of the 2002 Team USA World Championship team and is on Team USA roster for 2006. The Chicago Machine also boasts midfielder Doug Shanahan who is also a member of the 2006 Team USA and achieved the MVP award in 2002 with Team USA. Shanahan joins the Machine after playing for the Philadelphia Barrage from 2003-2005. After playing for the Long Island Lizards from 2002-2005, goalkeeper Nick Murtha, will now dress in a Chicago uniform to defend the Machine goal.
Chicago Machine Head Coach, Kevin Finneran, joins the team for its inaugural season with a significant background in professional lacrosse. Finneran's Major League Lacrosse career includes playing for the Long Island Lizards from 2001-2004 where he achieved two Major League Lacrosse Championships and was named the New Balance Sportsman of the Year in 2004 along with scoring 84 total points that season (56 goals and 26 assists). In 2005, Finneran played for the Philadelphia Barrage and now continues his MLL career as head coach of the Chicago Machine.
The Chicago Machine will travel to Baltimore for their second season game against the Baltimore Bayhawks on Saturday, May 27th at Johnny Unitas Stadium. The opening face-off is set for 7:30pm.
Major League Lacrosse Stories from May 19, 2006
- Let the games begin - Chicago Machine
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