Steamers Host Baltimore
December 16, 2005 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
St. Louis Steamers News Release
Some early-season drama is on the agenda as the Steamers and Baltimore Blast collide at Savvis Center Friday night at 7:35 p.m. Just five games into the season, the Steamers and Blast are tied for second place in the MISL with identical 3-2 records. That tie will be broken and one team will move ahead when the final buzzer sounds Friday night. Following Friday's contest, the Steamers journey to the Windy City for their first meeting of the season with the Chicago Storm on Sunday (December 18). The Steamers fell victim to Baltimore in their November 19 season opener, losing a 12-5 affair at 1st Mariner Arena. Since that meeting, the Steamers have gone 3-1 and Baltimore has gone 1-2. The Steamers have made the most of home field advantage this season and are undefeated (3-0) at Savvis, while Baltimore is 0-1 on the road. The two teams met five times last season, with Baltimore holding a 3-2 edge.
Balimore's roster boasts two of the MISL's top offensive threats in forward Giuliano Celenza, who presently ranks second in the league with eight goals, and forward Adauto Neto, who is tied for second in the league in total points with 13 (6 goals, 7 assists). On the defensive side, Baltimore goalkeeper Sagu enjoys a 4.69 goals-against average, second-best in the league.
For the Steamers, forwards Mike Apple (left) and Shaun David (lower left) and midfielder Sandre Naumoski (right) are the goal-scoring leaders with four each. Naumoski and David lead in total points with six each.
After their meeting with Baltimore on Friday at Savvis, the Steamers will invade Chicago's UIC Pavilion for the first encounter with the Storm this season. The Steamers and Storm faced off eight times last season, with St. Louis holding a 5-3 advantage. Chicago is presently in fifth place in the MISL, with a 2-4 record. They are 2-1 in games played at UIC Pavilion.
Offensively for the Storm, midfielder Gus Kartes leads the team with four goals while midfielder John Ball is the point leader with five (3 goals, 2 assists). Chicago will be without the services of Ball on Sunday, as he will be serving the second game of a two-game suspension imposed by the league as a result of a confrontation between Ball and a fan following the conclusion of the Storm's match versus the Baltimore Blast on Saturday, December 3, 2005 at 1st Mariner Arena. Ball sat out the first of his two-game suspension on Saturday, December 10 at Philadelphia. He will serve his second game off on Sunday versus the Steamers.
Friday's game at Savvis will feature a special salute to the 1994-95 St. Louis Ambush. That squad remains the only St. Louis professional indoor soccer team to win a league championship. Sixteen members of the Championship squad are slated to be on hand, including former player/coach Daryl Doran and former Ambush owner Dr. Abraham Hawatmeh. The tribute will include a highlight video of the championship season and each of the team members will be presented with a commemorative plaque.
The national anthem prior to Friday's contest will be performed by Warner Brothers recording artist Willie Moore Jr. (a.ka. Pretty Willie, a.k.a. P Dub).
Both of this weekend's games can be heard over KFNS 590-AM THE FAN or live via the internet at kfns.com.
Tickets for all Steamers home games are on sale at the Savvis Center box office and all Ticketmaster locations. Tickets may also be ordered by phone by calling Ticketmaster at 314-241-1888 (automated line) or 314-421-4400 (live operator) or 618-222-2900 (live operator). Tickets may also be purchased online at ticketmaster.com. (Click the graphic at right for a special ticket offer for the December 16 game.)
Following Sunday's duel against the Storm in Chicago, the Steamers head west for their first visit to Stockton to face the Cougars on December 22, before returning home to Savvis to battle the Chicago Storm Thursday, December 29 at 7:35 p.m. (Click the graphic at right for a special ticket offer for the December 29 game.)
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Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from December 16, 2005
- Steamers Stay Perfect At Home With 7-2 Victory - St. Louis Steamers
- Steamers Host Baltimore - St. Louis Steamers
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