Peter Pappas' Jersey Retirement March 21st
March 8, 2010 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Philadelphia KiXX News Release
Philadelphia (Monday, March 8, 2010) - The Philadelphia KiXX (6-9) announced today that the team will retire the #22 jersey of former goalkeeper Peter Pappas, who started for the team during its first 13 years of play. The ceremony will take place when the KiXX host the Baltimore Blast in its season finale on Sunday, March 21st, while a Pappas replica t-shirt will be given to the first 2,000 fans to walk through the gates at The Liacouras Center that day, courtesy of NBC-10 Philadelphia.
"I personally would like to congratulate Peter on all his accomplishments," Philadelphia head coach Don D'Ambra said. "I have been teammates with Peter for his entire career, and he is arguably the best goalkeeper in the history of indoor soccer. It has been an honor to coach and play alongside Peter all these years, and it will be a special night when we retire his number."
At the conclusion of the 2008-09 season, Pappas and D'Ambra were the longest tenured professional athletes in the City of Philadelphia. D'Ambra now holds that unique distinction by himself since returning to the KiXX roster six games ago, and he has tallied a goal in each of the six matches he has played.
"While it is sad to see the great career of Peter Pappas come to an end, March 21st will be a night of remembrance and celebration," KiXX Vice President Darcee' Roberts commented. "We encourage all of the fans who enjoyed watching Peter play during his career to come out and let him know how much he has meant to this team and the City of Philadelphia."
Pappas started every game in net for the KiXX last year in what became his 13th and final season in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL). For his regular season career, he played in 416 matches and logged 23,606:01 minutes in goal. He also recorded 5,399 saves and 230 wins, while logging over an additional 2000 minutes and 450 saves in the postseason. The Philadelphia University graduate was named the MISL Goalkeeper of the Year on four occasions (2001, 2004, 2005, 2007) and was an All-League selection eight times. The Toronto native also registered four shutouts during his illustrious career, including a 4-0 blank slate over the Blast in his final season of 2008-09.
Following a huge win over La RaZa de Monterrey last night at The Liacouras Center, the KiXX finds itself still in contention for the third and final playoff spot for the 2010 MISL postseason. Starting with a Saturday night pairing with the Baltimore Blast this week, the KiXX will play five games in eight days to find out its destiny.
Philadelphia returns home to The Liacouras Center on Sunday when the team hosts the Rockford Rampage for the final time this season. Tickets for that match are available now by calling 1-888-888-KiXX or by visiting www.ComcastTix.com.
Major Indoor Soccer League Stories from March 8, 2010
- Peter Pappas' Jersey Retirement March 21st - Philadelphia KiXX
- Denison Cabral Named MISL Player Of The Week - MISL
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