Weekend Preview for Thursday and Friday's Games
February 18, 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), will finish their regular season schedule this week with a back-to-back on Thursday and Friday against the Syracuse Silver Knights and the Baltimore Blast.
After clinching a spot in the playoffs with an OT victory against Detroit last Saturday, a tired Chicago squad fell at home to the Syracuse Silver Knights despite an evenly-played first 3 quarters on Sunday afternoon. While Chicago looked playoff ready for the most part, this will be a week to address the little things that caused the team to unravel against Syracuse. Syracuse and Baltimore are the top 2 teams in the Eastern Conference and will surely create a good litmus test for the level of competition as the Chicago Mustangs get ready to prepare themselves for the Milwaukee Wave in the playoffs.
TonCar 3 Keys of the Weekend!
1) Steal one back. It was neck-and-neck and then a few bad minutes doomed the Mustangs in Chicago. It's time for the Mustangs to head into Syracuse and steal it back. While Syracuse has an impressive squad, this one felt a lot like the Missouri game. It felt like Chicago was on the verge of breaking through and then a few little things here and there mixed with fatigue and the tides quickly turned. If Chicago can play a full 4 quarters against the Silver Knights, they could very well steal one on the road and grab some much needed momentum going into Baltimore.
2) Focus on the details. As Hewerton said during one of the 'Mustangs Chat' interviews, "when we sweat the details, we're a dangerous team." Whether players get rest or Coach Gamboa plays his regular rotations against these 2 playoff-bound teams, how they perform will all come down to the details. Chicago will need to perfect their technique and up their awareness if they want to compete with these teams and go far in the playoffs, it all starts with practice this week but we have all seen how dangerous this team can be when the focus is there to compliment the natural skill.
3) Make a statement against Baltimore. No matter what happens, the Mustangs need to put up a fight against Baltimore. Sure, resting players, changing rotations, all of those things are fairly relevant when it comes to playoff teams at the end of the season...but no matter who plays or what changes, Chicago needs to show the rest of the league that they will scrap it out 2 nights in a row against 2 tough playoff teams, one being Baltimore, one of the top dogs in the yard. Play for pride, play for respect, and show everyone that the Mustangs are here to make a statement.
Players to keep an eye on
Chicago Mustangs:
1. Omar Santillan, Defense - Santillan has been quietly racking up points and important minutes lately and it's paying off in the scoresheet. With some key absences this past weekend, Santillan helped key a playoff-clinching win in Detroit with a goal and 2 big assists including the game winner to Miguel Vaca. Santillan has brought a lot of stability to the Mustangs defense and he's looking to continue to roll this weekend.
2. Miguel Vaca, Forward - Vaca has become a regular fixture on our players to watch, and for good reason. With 3 goals and 2 assists (including the game-winner) in Detroit and another goal against a stingy Syracuse team, Vaca has been shouldering much of the offensive load lately. First on the team in goals and second in assists, Vaca has been more of the silent killer type compared to his offensive cohorts. Playing against 2 tough Eastern Conference teams, the Mustangs will look to Vaca yet again to provide a scoring spark.
Syracuse Silver Knights:
1. Bo Jelovac, Defense - Jelovac scored 2 goal in Sunday's matchup against the Mustangs including a 4th quarter goal that began the onslaught that put the game out of reach for Chicago. Just named to the MASL Team of the Week, Jelovac has points in his last 5 games including 3 goals in his last 2 games. While he certainly has many players above him on his team in points, Jelovac has been a catalyst lately as Syracuse settles into their playoff form.
2. Rick Pflasterer, Goalkeeper - Pflasterer played the role of flusterer on Saturday afternoon. After an evenly matched 3 quarters, Pflasterer took over in the 4th and didn't give Chicago a chance. All game, Pflasterer knocked away quality shot attempt after quality shot attempt and gave Syracuse the opportunity to pull away in the 4th no matter what the Mustangs were throwing at him. While he only has 5 starts on the year, Pflasterer has proven that he is a brick wall and should he start against Chicago again on Thursday, you know that his amazing saves will stick in the minds of the Chicago shooters.
Baltimore Blast:
1. Tony Donatelli, Midfielder - Donatelli had 3 points on 2 goals and 1 assist in Baltimore's last game against Rochester and currently leads the team with 25 points. Donatelli has 4 points in his last 2 games and 9 points in his last 6. While Baltimore spreads the scoring around evenly, this midfielder certainly has a knack for getting involved in the process.
2. William Vanzela, Goalkeeper - Vanzela has been the man(zela) this year posting an impressive 3.02 goals against average coupled with an .810 save percentage. This past weekend Vanzela earned a shutout against Rochester making it his 3rd shutout of the season. While Chicago sure has a high-octane offense, Vanzela has been the Rubik's Cube of goalies as nobody has really been able to quite figure him out. Also recently named to the MASL Team of the Week, Vanzela is looking to shut down Chicago and make a statement before the playoffs begin.
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The Mustangs return home Thursday, February 26th for the playoffs at the Sears Centre Arena against the Milwaukee Wave. Visit the Sears Centre box office, call the Mustangs front office at (847) 805-6633 or visit us on the web at www.chicagomustangspro.com for all of your ticket needs.
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from February 18, 2015
- St. Louis Ambush Close out Season this Weekend - St. Louis Ambush
- Silver Knights Land Two on MASL Team of the Week - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Weekend Preview - Baltimore Blast
- Weekend Preview for Thursday and Friday's Games - Chicago Mustangs
- William Vanzela Named to MASL Team of the Week, Tony Donatelli Honorable Mention - Baltimore Blast
- MASL Weekly - Week 17 - MASL
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