Baltimore Blast

Baltimore Blast
Donning their famous bright red, orange and yellow uniforms, the team was known for its aggressive ways on the soccer field. It was at the completion of the 1983-84 season that the team earned its place in Baltimore sports history by capturing the Major League Indoor Soccer Championship. It was after the back-to-back championships in 2003 and 2004 that the Blast cemented its place among the city's great sports stories. The team impressed the city of Baltimore yet again with another championship in 2006 - the third in four years.

Blast History
Originally located in Houston and known as the Summit, the team moved to Baltimore prior to the 1980-81 MISL season and played its first home game on November 29th, 1980 at the then-Civic Center. The Blast won the franchise's first MISL Title by defeating the St. Louis Steamers, four-games-to-one under the directions of Head Coach Kenny Cooper on June 8th, 1984. Following the championship season, the team went through its first ownership change, though the focus remained on keeping the core of the team together. The squad advanced to the playoffs each of the next three seasons and in 1986 a new star was born. Billy Ronson, a young English player joined the team and was an instant fan favorite. On September 15, 1989, local businessman Ed Hale purchased the Blast. Following the team's 32-20 1989-90 season, the Blast announced its All-Decade team, which included Manning, Stamenkovic, Bruce Savage, Joey Fink, Tim Wittman and Dave MacWilliams.

The MISL ceased operations after the 1991-92 season and Baltimore bid farewell to its beloved Blast. Cooper joined forces with another local businessman to launch the Baltimore Spirit, Baltimore's National Professional Soccer League franchise. The new team set out to rekindle the spirit of Baltimore soccer. In the Spirit's first season, Cooper led the team to a 27-13 record and the American Division Championship. The inaugural Spirit team featured Baltimore natives Jason Dieter and Barry Stitz and several members of the former MISL Blast, including Doug Neely and Joe Koziol.

After the 1997-98 season, Ed Hale, the owner who saw the team flourish in the late 1980s, regained ownership of the franchise and changed the team's name back to the Blast. Entering his 13th year as owner of the Blast, Hale remains dedicated to providing Baltimore's families with exciting sports entertainment. Prior to the 2001-02 season, the NPSL folded and the new MISL was created. This season, the MISL will field nine teams, including the expansion Monterrey La Raza, New Jersey Ironmen and Orlando Sharks. The Blast, California Cougars, Chicago Storm, Detroit Ignition, Milwaukee Wave and Philadelphia KiXX will also return for the 2007-08 season.

Baltimore Blast: 2007-08 SeasonThe Blast opened the 2007-08 season at 1st Mariner Arena on Friday, October 19 against the MISL defending champion Philadelphia KiXX. Although the Blast started training camp with a disappointing injury, the team looks forward to the upcoming season and the mixture of returning veteran players including Denison Cabral and Baltimore locals P.J. Wakefield, Billy Nelson, Giuliano Celenza and Mike Lookingland. Robbie Aristodemo, Carlos Garcia, Machel Millwood, Matt Watson and Sagu will also return for the 2007-08 season. The Baltimore Blast lost, 12-10, to the California Cougars Saturday night at 1st Mariner Arena. Midfielder Denison Cabral played in the 300th game of his career and scored the 801st point of his career. Cabral became just the fourth player in Blast history to play in 300 games for the club and the first player to score 800 points, all in Baltimore. The Blast returned to the Arena on Saturday, December 8th to host the Detroit Ignition.

Recently, the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) and Fox Soccer Channel announced the Game of the Week telecast schedule for the 2007/08 season. The 20-game schedule - the most comprehensive national television coverage in the league's seven-year history - features all U.S.-based MISL teams appearing at least four times. According to Baltimore Blast President and General Manager Kevin Healey, the exposure of national television allows more people to not only learn about the Baltimore Blast, but also gives them the opportunity to watch the League's marquee players on a weekly basis.

With so much talent, the outlook for the season is high, and fans can anticipate 30 exciting, fast-paced regular-season games leading up to the April playoffs. After winning three of the last five MISL Championships, the Blast knows what it takes to win and is determined to bring the MISL trophy back to Baltimore.
Nuggets Tickets