Sidekicks at Kansas City Friday

Published on February 6, 2003 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Dallas Sidekicks News Release


The Dallas Sidekicks (6-19) travel to Kansas City to take on the Comets (12-12) at Kemper Arena. Kansas City leads the series 2-1. Home field seems to be a disadvantage in this series. Kansas City took the first two in Dallas 18-12 on November 6, and 12-7 on November 29. Dallas took the next meeting in Kansas City 13-8 on December 21. That victory is Dallas' lone Western Conference victory and lone away victory. The Sidekicks are on an eight-game losing skid, the longest since the inaugural 1984-85 season that included losing streaks of 10 and 11. Dallas is 1-12 against the West, and 1-5 away against the West.

Tatu passed Zoran Karic February 1 vs. San Diego for second-all time in points with 1575 on 852 goals and 723 assists. He tied Karic with a goal at 4:21 in the first quarter and passed him with an assist to Nick Stavrou at 14:29 in the second quarter. Karic has 1573 points on 752 goals and 821 assists. Tatu has 1398 points with the Sidekicks and looks to become the second player to 1400 with one team (Hector Marinaro - 1702 with Cleveland Crunch/Force (2)). Doyle has 83 power play goals and is one behind Kia for third all-time at 84 power play goals. Doyle is also tied with Kevin Smith for 17th all-time at 384 assists. This is Doyle's 279th as a Sidekick, which ties him with Doc Lawson for fifth in team history.

The Sidekicks continue their road trip tomorrow as they travel to Philadelphia (19-5) to take on the 2001-02 MISL Champions Philadelphia Kixx. The Kixx lead the series 2-1 winning 10-8 in overtime October 19 and 10-7 on January 4, both in Philadelphia. Dallas took the season opener 14-13 September 28 in Dallas.

NEXT GAMES: The Sidekicks play the second of their back-to-back Saturday, February 8 at 6:05 when they take on the Philadelphia Kixx at the First Union Spectrum.

RADIO: All Sidekicks games are on Fox Sports 1190 AM. They are also available on the internet at www.dallassidekicks.com. All broadcasts begin five minutes prior to listed kickoff and will last three hours. Pete Stein calls the action and John Clemens hosts the halftime and post-game shows.

PLAYER/HEAD COACH TATU: Tatu is in his 18th season as a player for the Dallas Sidekicks, his fifth as head coach. Tatu led the Sidekicks to the World Indoor Soccer League finals all four years as head coach, winning the 1998 and 2001 titles. In 1998, Tatu replaced Gordon Jago, who retired, as head coach. He has a 60-45 (.571) regular season record, and 7-3 (.700) postseason record.

PLAYER: Tatu is in his 21st season in indoor soccer, his 18th with the Sidekicks. Tatu enters the season near the top of the career list in several categories. He is second with 21 seasons played (Victor Nogueira of Milwaukee - 23), seventh with 624 games played (Michael King of Milwaukee - 640), second for goals with 852 (Hector Marinaro - 1201), second in assists with 723 (Zoran Karic - 821), second in points with 1575 (Marinaro - 1886), tied for second in game-winning goals with 77 (Marinaro - 99, Steve Zungul - 77), and first with 111 power play goals. He has been part of all four Sidekicks' championship teams, winning titles in 1987, 1993, 1998, and 2001. Tatu is a six-time MVP, 11-time scoring champion, 12-time all-star, and three-time championship series MVP. He also hold Sidekicks franchise records for games - 548, goals - 731, assists - 667, points - 1398, shots - 4151, power play goals - 96, game-winning goals - 68, and overtime goals - 7.

SERIES HISTORY vs. KANSAS CITY: This is the fourth meeting of the teams during the regular season. They played one preseason game at the Western Conference Preseason Tournament. Game 17 - December 21 at Kansas City: The Dallas Sidekicks defeated the Kansas City Comets 13-8 at Kemper Arena Saturday. It was the Sidekicks first road victory of the season and its first against a western conference opponent. The win also gave the Sidekicks their first three game winning streak of the season. Patrick Shamu scored the game-winning goal at 13:47 of the fourth quarter to drop Kansas City to 0-5 at Kemper Arena. Antonio Sutton scored a three-point empty-net goal to end the scoring for Dallas (6-11). It was a comeback win for the Sidekicks. Dallas trailed the entire game until Jeff Betts dribbled around Comets forward Wes Wade and scored his second goal of the game at 10:30 of the fourth to tie the game at 8-8. Dino Delevski of the Comets scored his 19th goal of the season by catching Dallas goalkeeper Sagu out of his net at 5:07 of the third period. Nikola Corneli also scored his second goal of the game later in the third quarter as the Comets pushed the lead to 8-2. Jeff Betts responded for Dallas by scoring his second goal of the season on a Frank Filo assist at 9:25 of the third period. Filo then pulled the Sidekicks within two by scoring his seventh goal of the season immediately after his boarding penalty expired. Kansas City gave the Sidekicks a chance to get on the board by earning an intentional handball penalty at 1:55 of the second period. David Doyle converted the awarded penalty kick, his 17th goal of the season, to cut the Comets lead to 4-2 at halftime. The score gave Doyle 83 career power play goals, bringing him within one of Kia for third all time. Nino DaSilva opened the scoring with a power play goal at 13:11 of the first period. The penalty had been on Filo of the Sidekicks for holding. Corneli scored 58 seconds later on an assist from Paolo Ceccarelli to give Kansas City a 4-0 lead after one period. Game 12 - November 29 vs. Kansas City: Kansas City forward Goran Hunjak scored the game-winner with 1:46 to play as the Comets defeated the Dallas Sidekicks 12-7 at Reunion Arena. The game was tied at seven when Hunjak scored the go-ahead power play goal after Wes Wade deflected a rebound his way 15-feet from the front of the goal. The power play came on a Sidekicks' team penalty for too many men at 12:53 of the fourth. Wade added an empty-net three-point goal at the buzzer for the final margin. The Sidekicks (3-9) had rallied from a 7-0 deficit to tie the game on a David Doyle three-point power-play goal at 8:02 of the fourth. The first two Sidekicks' scores came in the second when Antonio Sutton scored at 11:15 and Nick Stavrou found the net at 14:19. Kansas City (5-5) gained the early advantage with first quarter goals by Nino DaSilva at 2:41 and a three-pointer by Vlatko Andonovski at 6:08. Chad James added two-points at 9:55 of the second for the 7-0 Comets lead. Game 8 - November 6 vs. Kansas City: The Dallas Sidekicks allowed nine points in the third quarter en route to an 18-12 loss to the Kansas City Comets at Reunion Arena Wednesday afternoon. The Sidekicks (2-6) led 8-6 at halftime before the Kansas City rally. The Comets (2-5) scored nine points on four goals in seven minutes during the third quarter. The onslaught started with a two-point goal by Brian Soell at 4:24 and ended on a two-pointer by Vlatko Andonovski at 11:12 of the third. Jeff Davis added a three-pointer at 6:10 and Dino Delevski found the net at 8:33. The Sidekicks trailed 15-10 when they went to a sixth attacker at 10:50 of the fourth quarter. Nate Houser killed the Sidekicks comeback try with a three-point empty-net goal at 12:03. The Sidekicks added a late goal by Tatu for the final margin. Dallas had closed the gap to 15-10 on a two-point goal by midfielder Nick Stavrou at 2:31 of the fourth quarter. Tatu led Dallas with four points on a two-point goal and two assists. He now has 706 career assists and is 11 behind Pato Margetic for second all-time. Tatu now has 21 points and is sixth in the MISL. Patrick Shamu continues to shine at home, scoring two goals on the day. He now has seven goals in five home games this season. Forward David Doyle also added one goal and one assist. Sagu had 12 saves and now has 1005 as a Sidekick. He is the third player to reach the millennium mark. Preseason Game 1 - September 14, 2002 vs. Kansas City: The Kansas City Comets defeated the Dallas Sidekicks 15-4 on the first day of the Major Indoor Soccer League Western Conference Preseason Tournament at Inwood Soccer Center. Kansas City won with 10 unanswered points from the 6:49 mark of the second quarter until the end of the game. Dallas had rallied from a 5-0 deficit to within 5-4 before Kansas City took control. The Comets jumped out to a 5-0 lead on two power play goals in the first 10 minutes. Vlatko Andonovski scored a two-point power play goal at 3:34 of the first quarter. Dino Delevski, the 2001-02 MISL scoring champion, followed with a three-point power play goal at 9:29 of the first. The Sidekicks responded at 10:47 as Tatu scored on a penalty kick after being tripped from behind in the penalty box by Nate Houser. David Doyle pulled Dallas within 5-4 with a two-point goal at 14:31 of the first. Doyle scored on his second shot as Comets' goalkeeper Brian Bowes stuffed the first attempt, but couldn't control the ball. Kansas City finished with a pair of two-point goals from both Nino Dasilva and Miodrag Djerisilo. Eric Kuster also contributed a two-point goal.

COACHES MATCHUP - TATU vs. ZORAN SAVIC: This is the third regular season meeting of these two as head coaches. Savic took the first game 18-12 on November 6 and the second 12-7 on November 29, both at Dallas. They did face as players in the original MISL. Tatu with Dallas and Savic with the Los Angeles Lazers during the 1984-85 season. Tatu is 57-34 (.626) as head coach of the Sidekicks and Savic is 183-151 (.548), all with the Kansas City Attack/Comets.

SERIES HISTORY vs. PHILADELPHIA: This is the third meeting of the season. Game 21 - January 4 at Philadelphia: The Dallas Sidekicks led the Philadelphia Kixx for three quarters before falling 10-7 at the First Union Spectrum Saturday. The Sidekicks (6-15) took leads of 3-0, 5-2, and 7-4 through three periods. Philadelphia (15-3) rallied with three goals in the fourth to extend their home record to 11-0 on the season and 19 consecutive regular season home victories overall. Pat Morris pulled the Kixx within 7-6 when Goran Vasic assisted at 1:37 of the fourth. Morris then gave Philadelphia the lead at 8:51 of the fourth with Shawn Boney assisting. The Sidekicks stayed within a point and put David Doyle in at sixth attacker with 2:27 of the fourth. Dallas didn't capitalize on the advantage and allowed an Edgar Bartolomeu empty-netter at 14:51 of th fourth for the final margin. The Sidekicks scored first as Doyle hit a three-pointer from Tatu at 13:12 of the first. It was the eighth time this season Tatu has set up a Doyle goal. The assist was Tatu's 718th and moved him into second all-time, passing Pato Margetic. Philadelphia countered with a Chris Handsor tally at 4:43 of the second from Kevin Sloan. Nick Stavrou then gave Dallas a 5-2 advantage when he redirected a Tatu pass into the net at 14:31 of the second. Dallas failed to hold the Kixx for the final 29 seconds of the half as Joel Shanker, Philadelphia's leading scorer, took a Vasic pass and planted it behind Sidekicks' goalkeeper Sagu. The cut the Dallas lead to 5-4 at the half. The Sidekicks looked to re-establish the tone at the start of the third quarter when Brad Flanagan netted a Doyle pass 11 seconds into the period. It was Doyle's 380th assist and moved him to 19th all-time, passing Kevin Hundelt. Tatu's two assists move him to 1570 career points on 851 goals and 819 assists. He is three points behind Zoran Karic for second all-time. Karic finished with 752 goals and 821 assists. Game 5 - October 19, 2002 at Philadelphia: The Philadelphia KiXX (3-1) defeated the Dallas Sidekicks (2-3) 10-8 in the first overtime of the MISL season in front of 3,127 fans at the First Union Spectrum Saturday. KiXX defender Glenn Carbonara scored the game-winning goal at 4:01 in overtime, on an assist from goalkeeper Peter Pappas. Pappas (3-1) earned the victory and recorded nine saves, while David Doyle (1-1) took the loss for Dallas, stopping 11 shots on goal. Dallas took a 4-0 lead in the first quarter on goals from Filo and Tatu. DePalma scored both of his goals in the second quarter for the Kixx. In between Filo scored again for Dallas. It was the first multi-goal goal game of his career. In the second period, the KiXX got on the board as Gary DePalma just under five minutes into the quarter. Filo responded with his second goal of the game, a new career high, to extend the Sidekicks lead to 6-2. DePalma answered right back, scoring his second 2pt goal of the half, bring the KiXX within two, 6-4 entering the half. Dallas had a short-lived 8-4 lead when Nick Stavrou scored at 9:33 of the third. Just :22 later Shawn Boney scored for the Kixx. At 1:18 of the fourth Matt Knowles scored a restart goal for the Kixx assisted by Goran Vasic. David Doyle made 11 saves on 16 shots making an emergency start in goal for the Sidekicks with Sagu injured. Doyle is now 1-1 on the season with both decisions coming against Philadelphia. Peter Pappas, the winner in goal for the Kixx made nine saves facing 13 shots. The KiXX Shawn Boney responded to once again pull the KiXX to within two, 8-6 at the end of the third quarter. The KiXX Matt Knowles scored the only goal of the fourth quarter to knot the game at eight and send it into overtime. The win extends the KiXX winning streak to three and they now remain unbeaten at home. Game 1 - September 28, 2002 vs. Philadelphia: The Dallas Sidekicks defeated the Philadelphia Kixx 14-13 on a Tatu goal with 8-tenths of a second remaining. The Sidekicks win was the first in the new Major Indoor Soccer League and made a statement about the competition of the former World Indoor Soccer League teams. The game was a "Battle of Champions" since each won their respective league title last season. Tatu's game-winner gave him a hat trick with three two-point goals. He also had an assist, which was the 700th of his career. He is only the second player to reach the 700 assist plateau (Zoran Karic 821). The Sidekicks trailed 13-12 with 15 seconds left as Tatu took the ball off the boards in the corner. Tatu spun to the middle and deflected a shot off a Philadelphia defender and into the net for the victory. The Sidekicks also had goals from Leo Pernia, Frank Filo, Antonio Sutton, and Armando Valdivia. The Sidekicks took their first lead of the game, 12-11, on a Tatu goal 3:27 into the fourth quarter. The win was the sixth consecutive home-opening win for Dallas. Special teams played a vital role for both teams as each scored a restart. Philadelphia was two of three on power plays and Dallas went one for two with a man advantage. Sidekicks goalkeeper, Sagu, continued to be the Sidekicks best defender as he made 17 saves, including five in the fourth quarter. David Doyle gets the win for the keepers since he was on as a sixth attacker when the winning goal was scored.

CONNECTIONS-KANSAS CITY: Assistant Coach MICHAEL POWERS was an All-American at Rockhurst University in Kansas City and is a member of its athletic Hall of Fame...F-DAVID DOYLE played for the original Kansas City Comets from the 1987-88 MISL season until the end of the 1990-91 season.

THIS DATES IN SIDEKICKS HISTORY - FEBRUARY 7 & 8: The Sidekicks are 1-5 on February 7 and 0-3 on February 8. The Sidekicks have twice played road back-to-backs on these dates; losing 3-1 at Wichita then 4-0 at San Diego during the 1988-89 season and losing 10-8 at San Diego and 4-3 at Tacoma during the 1990-91 season.

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Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from February 6, 2003


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