Storm Host Wave for Home Opener
December 19, 2008 - Xtreme Soccer League (XSL)
Chicago Storm News Release
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. (Dec. 19, 2008) - The Xtreme Soccer League season is in its infancy, but with the regular season victor claiming the overall crown, every game is important. On Saturday, the Chicago Storm professional indoor soccer team has a chance to take sole possession of first place in this 2008-2009 season.
The Storm host a familiar rival for their home opener. Chicago takes on the Milwaukee Wave at 7 p.m. Saturday at the Sears Centre Arena, 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., in Hoffman Estates. This is the first of seven head-to-head matches this season. Both teams hold 1-0 records.
The Storm are coming off a 4-2 victory against the New Jersey Ironmen during Sunday's XSL season opener for both teams. Awadalla Morad notched his 50th career goal for the game-winner, and goalkeeper Jeff Richey saved 13 of 14 shots.
"He got off to a great start in goal, and we expect him to show strong leadership and be one of the key cogs of this team," Storm head coach Steve Morris said of Richey.
Next up for Richey and the Storm is Milwaukee, which has had some big injuries to forward Marcio Leite, goalkeeper Nick Vorberg and defender Joe Hammes. Nevertheless, the Wave won their XSL opener with a young core of players. And Morris knows, having been a player and an assistant coach under Keith Tozer, that the Storm will have their hands full Saturday.
"Anytime you have Keith Tozer on your bench, under him, you know you're going to have a prepared team no matter what," Morris said. "His teams are always disciplined and organized, and he has an eye for talent, guys who are dynamic. This will be some stiff opposition."
The Storm and Wave have split their head-to-head competition each season, and overall hold 12-12 records against one another. This season, with seven matches, one team is guaranteed to have a win-loss edge.
Xtreme Soccer League Stories from December 19, 2008
- Storm Host Wave for Home Opener - Chicago Storm
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