Major Indoor Soccer

The previously surging Blast loses its second straight Major Indoor Soccer League game, as a fourth-quarter call for too many players on the field leads to Goran Vasic's tie-breaking shootout goal and a 13-9 Crunch win. Above, Cleveland's Otto Orf foils Lee Tschantret. [Page 2c]

Blast at Missouri Comets What: MISL championship Game 1 When: Thursday, 8:35 p.m. Site: Independence (Mo.) Events Center Video: mislnation.com Outlook: Surprise! Most people expected to see the two-time defending league champion Milwaukee Wave playing against the Blast for the Major Indoor Soccer League title, but the Comets upset Milwaukee in the semifinals. After dropping the first game in overtime last Thursday, Missouri came back to stun the Wave on Sunday in the second game, 9-8, and then advanced to the championship series with a 5-4 win in the deciding mini game.

MILWAUKEE -- Blast goalkeeper Sagu stared down the leading scorer in the Major Indoor Soccer League and made a huge save, foiling a critical shootout attempt and leading the Blast to a 14-13 Major Indoor Soccer League semifinal victory over the Milwaukee Wave yesterday. Sagu's stop on Wave forward Greg Howes propelled the Blast to a sweep of the two-game series, its fourth straight victory in the postseason and a berth in the MISL championship game. MISL Championship game Blast vs. La Raza, Saturday, 7 p.m., U.S. Cellular Arena, Milwaukee, 680 AM

The Blast has the ideal primer for the upcoming Major Indoor Soccer League playoffs as the team closes out its regular season at 1st Mariner Arena on Saturday - a game against the two-time defending league champion Milwaukee Wave. The rivalry is far and away the best and most intense in the MISL, with all the other franchises too new to have developed any on the same level. And this game - set for 7:35 p.m. - has plenty on the line with the teams tied for first place in the league.

Blast owner Ed Hale's team is exactly where he wants it to be - in the Major Indoor Soccer League championship game. It's the location of the final hurdle that has him aggravated. MISL championship Blast vs. La Raza, Saturday, 7 p.m., U.S. Cellular Arena, Milwaukee, Fox Soccer Channel, 680 AM

Pro soccer Matchup -- Blast (13-6) @ St. Louis (15-4) Time -- 5:35 p.m. Radio -- 680 AM Outlook -- The Blast has won four straight and a victory here would put it within one game of the first-place Steamers. Adauto Neto ranks second in the Major Indoor Soccer League with 41 points while Giuliano Celenza is fourth (34). The Steamers have three players in the top 10 in scoring. Former Blast forward Carlos Farias is the team's top scorer (31 points), and goalie Brett Phillips also played a big part in the Blast's championship three years ago.

Even with an injury-riddled roster, the Blast was too potent for the defenseless California Cougars last night at 1st Mariner Arena. While remaining unbeaten at home, the Blast broke open a competitive game with an eight-point third quarter and strengthened its grip on second place in the Major Indoor Soccer League with a 22-6 romp before 9,027. Blast@Cougars Thursday, 10 p.m., 680 AM

In a game in which the Blast defense was relatively secure, the offense couldn't convert enough opportunities. The result was a 6-4 defeat to the Detroit Ignition last night at 1st Mariner Arena, marking the Blast's first home setback of the season and dropping the team to last place in the Major Indoor Soccer League on a percentage basis. Blast@Cougars Thursday, 10 p.m., 680 AM

PHILADELPHIA -- For want of a decent start, a game was lost yesterday. Unable to overcome a 12-point, first-quarter outburst by the Philadelphia KiXX, the Blast never pulled into serious contention, losing, 16-8, to the Major Indoor Soccer League leaders at the Wachovia Spectrum. Wave@Blast Friday, 7:35 p.m., 680 AM

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- After struggling earlier this season away from home, the Blast has suddenly transformed into a team of road warriors. With yesterday's 12-4 Major Indoor Soccer League victory over the Chicago Storm, the Blast has won three straight away from 1st Mariner Arena. KiXX@Blast Friday, 7:30 p.m., 680 AM

A familiar face will be on the field tonight at 1st Mariner Arena, and this time, he won't be wearing a Blast uniform. Lee Tschantret, a member of three Blast championship teams, returns as a member of the Philadelphia KiXX to continue a pro soccer odyssey that has lasted 18 years and more than 1,000 points. Tschantret, 39, reached the scoring milestone as a Blast player during the 2006-07 season, then "retired" to coach the sport and teach physical education at Loyola High, his primary workout site for staying in shape for the professional season.

Blast owner Ed Hale's team is exactly where he wants it to be - in the Major Indoor Soccer League championship game. It's the location of the final hurdle that has him aggravated. MISL championship Blast vs. La Raza, Saturday, 7 p.m., U.S. Cellular Arena, Milwaukee, Fox Soccer Channel, 680 AM

MILWAUKEE -- Blast goalkeeper Sagu stared down the leading scorer in the Major Indoor Soccer League and made a huge save, foiling a critical shootout attempt and leading the Blast to a 14-13 Major Indoor Soccer League semifinal victory over the Milwaukee Wave yesterday. Sagu's stop on Wave forward Greg Howes propelled the Blast to a sweep of the two-game series, its fourth straight victory in the postseason and a berth in the MISL championship game. MISL Championship game Blast vs. La Raza, Saturday, 7 p.m., U.S. Cellular Arena, Milwaukee, 680 AM

The Blast will have to confront a quick turnaround, minor injuries and a seasoned and well-rested Milwaukee Wave team tonight in the first game of the Major Indoor Soccer League semifinals at 1st Mariner Arena. After eliminating the New Jersey Ironmen on Saturday night on the road with a grind-it-out 6-4 victory, the Blast will have enjoyed little recovery time before facing its oldest rival, a team that has not played in nearly two weeks. "They've had a good rest, but sometimes that kind of break isn't good," said Blast midfielder Robbie Aristodemo, who has a sore hamstring.

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. --The Blast has been playing indoor soccer for 28 years. It has captured three Major Indoor Soccer League championships in that time, but it has never had a night like last night, as the team recorded the first shutout in franchise history, defeating the Chicago Storm, 13-0, behind goalkeeper Sagu. In a game far different than its last game, a 26-23 win at California on March 16, the Blast (17-9) continued its recent winning ways. Sagu, who sat out the California game, returned to the net and made 11 saves.

The Blast stunned Orlando with a four-goal barrage in the first six minutes last night and remained unbeaten in the Major Indoor Soccer League with a 14-7 victory at 1st Mariner Arena. A crowd of 5,150 had barely settled into their seats when two goals by Denison Cabral and one each by Matt Watson and Mike Lookingland staked the Blast to an 8-0 lead before the expansion Sharks got into the game. La Raza@Blast Friday, 8 p.m., Fox Soccer Channel, 680 AM

Blast forward Adauto Neto is on a roll, and the Philadelphia KiXX had the misfortune to get in his way last night. Neto posted his fourth three-goal game of the season and took over the Major Indoor Soccer League lead in scoring, finishing with three goals and one assist, as the Blast rolled to a 5-2 win over slumping Philadelphia before 10,082 at 1st Mariner Arena. Blast@KiXX Tonight, 7:05, 680 AM

PHILADELPHIA -- The Blast traveled to Philadelphia yesterday with hopes of clinching a playoff berth, but the KiXX had other ideas. David Bascome had two goals and Robbie Aristodemo a goal and an assist, but they were not enough as the Blast fell to the KiXX, 7-5, in a Major Indoor Soccer League game before 6,284 at the Wachovia Spectrum. Blast@Wave Next Sunday, 2:05 p.m., 680 AM