Weekend Preview: Syracuse Silver Knights at Baltimore Blast and Home vs. Pennsylvania Roar
February 21, 2014 - Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL)
Syracuse Silver Knights News Release
SYRACUSE, N.Y. - The Syracuse Silver Knights (10-7, MISL #4) will begin a back-to-back on Saturday, when they will face the Baltimore Blast (13-3, MISL #2) at the Baltimore Arena.
Saturday's meeting is the first match of a congested end of season schedule. After the fixture, the Orange, Silver and Black begin a two game home stand on Sunday against the Pennsylvania Roar (1-15, MISL #7) and finish the season March 2 against the Rochester Lancers (7-10, MISL #5).
Last time out, the Salt City side clinched their first ever playoff appearance with a 17-10 win against the Lancers on Saturday, behind a five point effort by Machel Millwood. The victory ensured the Silver Knights would play a home game on Friday, March 7, 7:30 pm, at the Oncenter War Memorial Arena followed by a road fixture between March 10-12 depending on their opponent. Syracuse will play either Milwaukee Wave (14-2, MISL #1) or the Baltimore Blast. Both rounds are "Best of 3" with the 3rd game being a mini match played for 15 minutes immediately after the conclusion of Game 2.
Saturday's matchup could be a playoff preview. The Blast beat the Knights 12-10 on January 31, getting a brace from Max Ferdinand with 2:50 left in the fourth quarter. Baltimore finished the month with a 2-1 record against the New York side.
Historically, the Blast dominates the Knights, posting a 10-3 record against the Empire State club. Baltimore owns a 6-1 mark at the War Memorial, outscoring the hosts 104-75.
Syracuse FW Machel Millwood is a Blast legend. The Jamaican began his indoor soccer career with Baltimore in 2004, appearing in 182 games for 174 goals and 113 assists in nine years with the club. Millwood earned four MISL Championships in a Blast shirt. The target man was a teammate of DF Marcos Chantel for his opening season while with Maryland side.
Additionally, Baltimore's FW Adauto Neto is familiar with Central New York. The Brazilian played for the Syracuse Salty Dogs in the A-League during the 2003 season. Neto made 19 appearances and tallied one goal.
Baltimore has separated itself as one of the top teams in the MISL, with an 13-3 record. Coach Kelly's team has relied on their defense, giving up just 79 total-points so far. Offensively the Maryland Club has notched 236 total-points, while relying on MF Max Ferdinand, MF Tony Donatelli and DF Mike Lookingland as the team's only players above 30-points, with 33, 34, and 44 respectively.
Saturday's match will be broadcast live on YouTube on the Blast's official page. Baltimore's coverage will begin at 6:05 p.m. EST. The game will be available shortly after its completion as on-demand content.
The Syracuse Silver Knights will have a quick turnaround, facing the Pennsylvania Roar on Sunday at the War Memorial for their Green Jersey Event.
The Silver Knights will wear a specialty Green Jersey to benefit the 2014 Syracuse St. Patrick's Day Parade. The jerseys will be auctioned off immediately following the game.
The Salt City side has had success against the expansion club, besting the Keystone State franchise in all three matchups. Coach Tommy Tanner's team beat the Roar 24-13 on January 25.
Pennsylvania enters the matchup struggling and short-handed. FW Max Touloute signed with the Missouri Comets Wednesday after posting seven goals in five matches. The forward had a six point game in his only clash against the Knights.
Sunday's match will be broadcast live on YouTube on the Knights' official page. Syracuse's coverage will begin at 7:00 p.m. EST with commentary by John Paul Chunga and Mike Kirmse. The game will be available shortly after its completion as on-demand content.
Syracuse will finish the season on home turf against the Thruway Rivals, the Rochester Lancers on March 2 at 4:00 p.m. EST. The Knights will be wearing their Specialty Pink/Teal Jerseys. This game will benefit Breast Cancer & Ovarian Cancer. The Silver Knights will be auctioning off their match worn jerseys immediately following the fixture. Proceeds will go to Hope for Heather and the Crouse Health Foundation. Single game tickets are selling fast. To become a Silver Knights Supporter call their office at 315-303-7261 and get your tickets today!
Playoff tickets for the squad's March 7 matchup are also on sale. Season ticket holders have the first right to choose their current seats up to February 21st but need to purchase both rounds of the Playoffs. After February 21st all unpaid season ticket holder seats will be released. Seating priority will be made when orders and payments are received based on purchaser's request and seat availability at that time. Fans will receive credit towards their 2014-15 Season Tickets for any Playoff tickets purchased for games not played.
Stay tuned to www.SyracuseSilverKnights.com and follow the club on Twitter @CuseKnightsMISL for all the latest news and information on the team ahead of this weekend's matches against the Blast and Roar.
How to Follow the Syracuse Silver Knights at Baltimore Blast
Kickoff: 6:05 p.m. EST at the Baltimore Arena in Baltimore, Maryland
Broadcast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HIiwt5Vjsd0
Online: The @CuseKnightsMISL Twitter Feed will provide match updates
How to Follow the Syracuse Silver Knights v. Pennsylvania Roar
Kickoff: 4:00 p.m. EST at the Oncenter War Memorial Arena in Syracuse, NY
Broadcast: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YTplO1WlRko
Online: The @CuseKnightsMISL Twitter Feed will provide match updates
Syracuse History v. Baltimore
Historically, the Blast dominates the Knights, posting a 10-3 record against the Empire State club. Baltimore owns a 6-1 mark at the War Memorial, outscoring the hosts 104-75.
The Orange, Silver and Black lost the last time against Baltimore, a 12-10 defeat on January 31, 2014.
Syracuse History v. Pennsylvania
The Salt City side has had success against the expansion club, besting the Keystone State franchise in all three matchups. Coach Tommy Tanner's team beat the Roar 24-13 on January 25.
FW Slavisa Ubiparipovic has been a terror for Pennsylvania, scoring six of his 14 total goals on the year in the triumphs.
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