While the Blast has had its share of problems scoring goals with regularity this season, its been more than efficient on the power play.
How about sizzling?
Following its 4-for-4 effort in Saturday's 22-11 win over Cleveland, the Blast is converting at an MISL-best 72.2 percent rate, with 13 goals in 18 opportunities.
Midfielder Denison Cabral leads the league with eight man-advantage goals. The Kansas City Comets and Milwaukee Wave are tied for second at 63 percent.
"The biggest thing about our power play right now is we're being patient in what we're doing," said Blast coach Kevin Healey.
Last season, the Blast was in the middle of the pack in the 10-team National Professional Soccer League on power plays, scoring 41.3 percent of the time during the regular season.
Cabral, Hileman honored
For doubling up the Crunch on Saturday, the Blast received double the recognition.
Cabral earned Offensive Player of the Week honors with his five-goal, 10-point performance and goalkeeper Scott Hileman claimed the defensive award for turning back 18 of the 22 Crunch shots sent his way.
It's the first time Blast players have been recognized since the first week of the season, when forward Tarik Walker took offensive honors.
Along with leading the league in power-play goals, Cabral also leads in total goals (19) and is sixth in scoring with 37 points.
MISL-WISL talks
The league has scheduled a news conference for 1 p.m. today in Dallas to announce expansion plans involving the World Indoor Soccer League.
MISL commissioner Steve Ryan and WISL president Gordon Jago are expected to attend. A number of franchises in the five-team WISL -- currently consisting of the San Diego Sockers, Dallas Sidekicks, St. Louis Steamers, Sacramento Knights and Utah Freezz -- are likely to join the MISL as soon as next season.
Ryan will be in Baltimore tomorrow to further discuss the expansion news with Blast team operator Ed Hale, who also leads the league's expansion committee, and others.
Et cetera
Through nine weeks, home teams have gone 29-10 for a .744 winning percentage, with Milwaukee (6-0) and Kansas City (4-0) unbeaten at home. ... The MISL All-Star Weekend will take place in Cleveland, Feb. 15-17, with the All-Star Game concluding the festivities at Gund Arena.
