Playoff Preview: Game 2
March 5, 2015 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Chicago Mustangs News Release
Hoffman Estates, IL- The Chicago Mustangs, proud members of the Major Arena Soccer League (www.MASLSoccer.com), travel to the UW-M Panther Arena in Milwaukee this Saturday to take on the Milwaukee Wave in game 2 of the opening round of the Central Division Playoffs.
The Mustangs defeated the Wave 6-3 at home last Thursday and look to close out the series in Milwaukee with another win. Should Chicago lose game 2, it will come down to a 15-minute mini-game so the Mustangs are hoping to finish the series in the regulation games. In this week's preview, we will be reviewing last week's predictions as well as focusing on what the Mustangs need to do in order to come out on top. While Chicago looked like the better team for 3 out of 4 quarters on Thursday, Milwaukee is not a team to be taken lightly.
Reviewing last week's TonCar 3 Keys of the Game:
1) Learn from last weekend instead of dwelling on it - The Mustangs did a great job of not letting their East Coast trip put any type of doubt in their mind against the Wave. While Chicago started off slow, they found their groove and looked like a completely different team.
2) Communicate - While the communication was lacking early on with some errant passes and breakdowns in positioning, Chicago did a great job backing each other up and picking each other up throughout the game, even after Milwaukee got on the board early.
3) Know your mortality, but don't panic - This one is the big one...as soon as St. Louis scored the early goal for Milwaukee, they felt like they had set the pace. Each time Chicago had an answer, Milwaukee was ready with something else. The Mustangs did a great job of not panicking and sticking to their game plan and when it was all said and done, they came out with a convincing 6-3 win.
TonCar 3 Keys of Game 2!
1) Avoid the slow start. This is the theme of this week's preview...the last time Chicago traveled to Milwaukee, the Wave got on the board early and the Mustangs were unable to crawl out of the hole despite a late comeback attempt. While Chicago may have been able to use their home-field advantage to dig themselves out of the early hole on Thursday, another slow start against a dangerous Wave team could spell doom.
2) Don't let the Wave fans take you out of it. UW-M Panther arena is going to be loud. If there is 1 thing the organization and fans don't want, it is to be knocked out of the playoffs by their friendly neighbors to the south. All themes aside, this is a natural rivalry and you can bet there are going to be all sorts of attempts by the fans to disrupt the focus and flow of the Mustangs team.
3) Don't let the 1-game lead make you complacent. While it is comforting to know that you have an advantage, it is not something you can rest your laurels on. Milwaukee was 1 or 2 plays away from it being a much closer game in Chicago and the Mustangs need to realize that. Be happy that you won, but approach this game as a must-win because the second you take your foot off the gas, the Wave will be ready to capitalize.
Last Week's Players to keep an eye on:
Chicago Mustangs:
1. Hewerton, Forward - We predicted that, having had some time off, Hewerton would step right in and do some damage and oh boy were we right! The Brazilian Boot scored 2 long goals and had an assist on a key "Wilo" Martinez goal that put Chicago up for good.
2. Taylor Bond, Forward - Bond had really seemed to be settling into his role lately and he didn't disappoint against Milwaukee scoring the final 2 goals of the game and being all over the field during tape review.
Milwaukee Wave:
1. Luan Sales Oliveira, Midfield - Oliveira was the 1 player we didn't hit on with our predictions. Usually a very dangerous midfielder, Oliveira had a quiet game with 6 shots, a block, and a foul. Don't expect that trend to continue into Saturday's game.
2. Stefan St. Louis - St. Louis had always been a thorn in the side of Chicago and continued his torrid streak against the Mustangs scoring the first goal of the game and adding a 2nd unassisted goal later in the contest.
Players to keep an eye on in Game 2:
Chicago Mustangs
Jesus Flores, Goalie - Flores was absolutely ridiculous in Thursday's contest. Despite the 6-3 score, it was truly a battle between the goalies and Flores, after letting in a few early goals, settled in between the pipes and gave Chicago a chance all night long. The keeper ended up with 18 saves, many of which were highlight reel quality, and he's looking to build on that performance in Milwaukee's house.
Omar Santillan, Defense - Santillan had 3 key assists in Thursday's game and provided the Mustangs with much needed energy all night. Santillan has quietly had himself an impressive season and has been the focal point in many of Chicago's major points the last several games.
Milwaukee Wave
Ian Bennett, Midfield - To nobody's surprise, Bennett scored another goal on Thursday, but more impressively he fired off 13 shots. While nobody can deny the dangerous threat that Bennett poses, it is easy to assume that the shots will start to fall if he can keep putting them up in bunches. It's going to take another stellar effort from Flores to keep the midfielder off the board, but it's always a safe bet that Bennett will be at the center of any action Milwaukee has on the offensive end.
Matt Eisold, Goalie - Eisold is in a tough spot being a 3rd string goalie starting in the playoffs against a fast-paced offense like the Mustangs, but he truly shone in Chicago. Don't be fooled by the final score, Eisold made some incredible, athletic saves and kept Milwaukee right in the thick of things until the final few minutes of the game. The young goalkeeper seemed to settle in as the game went on and, should that trend continue, he will definitely frustrate Chicago's scorers with some of those acrobatic saves.
For more information on the Chicago Mustangs, Season Tickets, or our Club Partnership program, call the Mustangs front office at (847) 805-6633 or visit us on the web at www.chicagomustangspro.com.
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from March 5, 2015
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- Knights Downed in Game 1 - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Playoff Preview: Game 2 - Chicago Mustangs
- Sockers Midfielder Ney Named to MASL 2014/15 All-Rookie Team - San Diego Sockers
- Ambush Forward Gurson Named to MASL All-Rookie Team - St. Louis Ambush
- Vini Dantas and Onua Obasi Named to MASL All Rookie Team - Baltimore Blast
- MASL Announces 2014/15 All-Rookie Team - Kansas City Comets
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