Storm try to halt three-game skid, La Raza's 7-game winning streak
March 7, 2008 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Chicago Storm News Release
HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. - The Chicago Storm are in the midst of a grueling stretch of the season. But the team hopes to turn the tide when it hosts La Raza de Monterrey at 7 p.m. Saturday, March 8, at the Sears Centre Arena. The Storm then travel to Detroit for a 3:35 p.m. (CST) match Sunday, March 9, against the Ignition.
Chicago (13-10) has lost a season-high three straight matches, while Monterrey (13-11) has posted a season-best seven straight victories. With a win Friday, the Storm can match last season's home win total with eight.
"Whether it's Monterrey on Saturday or Detroit on Sunday, our main focus has been throughout the week to try to get back to the level where we're bringing all facets of the game," Storm head coach Steve Morris said. "And then we'll see where the chips fall. We know we have enough talent in the room. It's just getting them to refocus, recommit, focus on attention to detail, and I know we will be back to where we want to be."
Don't miss out on "Giant Saturday" at the Sears Centre. Before the match is the Storm's second annual Girl Scouts Kick-It with the Storm. During the first half of the match, Storm fans can participate in the annual Green Jersey Auction. And following the game, watch Duelo perform as part of the Univision Concert Series, brought to you by Comcast.
With the Major Indoor Soccer League postseason nearing, and no team having clinched a spot through Thursday because of the tight standings, the picture becomes clearer following this weekend's set. And there is a distinct possibility that the Storm can clinch a playoff spot over the weekend. Here are the scenarios (league's top six teams advance to the postseason): - The Storm can clinch with a Baltimore win on Friday and victories against Monterrey on Saturday and Detroit on Sunday. - Milwaukee can clinch Friday with a Baltimore win. - Detroit can clinch Friday with a win against Orlando. - Baltimore can clinch this weekend with a win Friday and a California loss Saturday.
STORM UPDATE: - Points leaders: Matthew Stewart leads the Storm with 21 goals (all two-pointers) and 48 points. Stephen Armstrong has 43 points, leading the MISL in three-point goals with eight. Carlos "Chile" Farias and Mariano Bollella each have 42 points. - Storm's La Raza connection: Mariano Bollella and Fabinho won a championship for La Raza when the Mexican-based team was part of the World Indoor Soccer League, and Bollella was the league's most valuable player that 2000 season. - Early impact: Storm rookie and 2008 MISL College Draft third-round pick Stephen Brust scored his first MISL goal in the first quarter of the team's loss to Monterrey last Thursday. Brust made his debut at the Sears Centre on Feb. 23 against the Baltimore Blast. The local soccer product played for nearby Hersey High School in Arlington Heights. - Road/home tendencies: The Storm are 7-5 at the Sears Centre and 6-5 on the road. With a Storm victory, Chicago would match last season's home win total at the Sears Centre. Monterrey is 5-7 on the road and 8-4 at Arena de Monterrey.
LA RAZA UPDATE: - La Raza vs. Storm, head-to-head: Monterrey has a 2-1 series lead against Chicago this season. The Storm topped host Monterrey, 16-12, on Nov. 1, 2007, during La Raza's MISL debut, with Stephen Armstrong and Chile Farias each scoring two second-half goals. On Jan. 4, La Raza clipped the Storm, 16-14, at the Sears Centre. Victor Negrete's goal with 50 seconds remaining in regulation gave La Raza the two-point advantage. Most recently, Monterrey topped Chicago, 24-12, on Feb. 28 at Arena de Monterrey in Mexico. - La Raza on a roll: La Raza's seven-game winning streak is the best in the MISL, and their potent offense continues to soar. Monterrey leads the MISL with 362 points, and the team is coming off a dominating 28-12 victory Thursday against the visiting New Jersey Ironmen. In that match, Monterrey scored the game's first 20 points with 3 minutes remaining in the second quarter. - Chicago ties: La Raza forward Byron Alvarez played for the Storm during their 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons. In 45 regular-season games, Alvarez scored 35 points and 25 goals. His 21 goals in 2004-05 ranked second on the Storm. For Monterrey, Alvarez recently had a four-goal, nine-point effort against New Jersey on Thursday. ... Monterrey head coach Erich Geyer made his head coaching debut with the Chicago Sting of the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1986 to 1988.
GIANT SATURDAY (SABADO GIGANTE): - Earning a patch: Before Saturday's match, area Girl Scouts troops participate in the second annual Girl Scouts of the USA Kick-It with the Chicago Storm. Girl Scouts earn a commemorative Storm patch after completing various skill, team building and strategic stations conducted by Storm players. Training includes trapping, passing, dribbling and shooting, and scouts receive team-building lessons on sportsmanship and communication. - Green party: An Irish salute takes place as a prelude to St. Patrick's Day. Storm players ditch their black and yellow jerseys for the annual Green Jersey Auction. Fans bid on actual, game-worn jerseys, with bids starting at $75. Fans place their bids throughout the first half of the match. As soon as halftime ends, bidding is closed and winners are announced in the second half. Jerseys then are washed, autographed and mailed to the winning bidders. All proceeds go toward the Kids-4-Soccer Foundation, which benefits underprivileged children in the Chicago area. - Post-game performance: Stick around after the Storm-La Raza match for a performance by Duelo. The band, based out of Roma, Texas, is led by Mexican singer and songwriter Oscar Ivan Treviño.
The Chicago Storm are members of the Major Indoor Soccer League. Storm offices are located at 5333 Prairie Stone Pkwy., in Hoffman Estates. For more information on all aspects of Storm soccer, including season tickets, group outings, birthday parties and more, call (866) STORM-81, or visit ChicagoStorm.net.
Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from March 7, 2008
- Cougars Add Archibald And Muluzi From PASL - California Cougars
- Blast Defeat KiXX 18-2 In Baltimore - Philadelphia KiXX
- Ignition Clinch Playoff Spot With 13-6 Win In Orlando - Detroit Ignition
- Storm try to halt three-game skid, La Raza's 7-game winning streak - Chicago Storm
- Monterrey Rolls Over Ironmen - New Jersey Ironmen
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
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