Blast v. Kixx (R)

The Kixx really played a great game defensively tonight. It was basically a 5-3 game, plus an empty net three pointer (what skill and accuracy!).

It was very physical, but not really dirty. The first quarter was the Kixx best defensively. They chased the Blast all over the field and forced turnover after turnover.

The Blast were down 8-0, but got back to 10-6, so they clawed their way back into the game. They were also missing Machel Millwood.

I missed 8 minutes of the second quarter due to the poorly run concession stand, which also means I missed Philadelphia's first two goals. They kept saying they didn't have any ones and there weren't any in the whole building. They also didn't have the popcorn that the sign said they did.

Both goalkeepers (Sagu/Pappas) played very well.

I would put attendance around 6,500. It was a lot better than last game. The place was full of scouts, naturally.

The Blast wore camoflage uniforms with an Army sponsor logo that they auctioned off. As always their special jerseys were way better than their real jerseys.

The Kixx looked to be wearing Fana jerseys I hadn't seen before and I thought they were pretty nice. They had kind of a vertical racing stripe thing going on and the last names were sublimated in all lower case font. Much better than their referee or all black get ups.

 

Here you go again Syd.

Attendance listed at close to 9,000 BUT you say around 6500
It's getting old dude.

I was at the game. There were no more than 1,000 scouts tonight. Years past they had 2-3,000 scouts. The entire bottom was filled, and there were quite a few people in the upper deck. Now, I don't know how many were paid and how many were comped, but the 8900 figure is pretty damn accurate.

This is the kind of BS people are getting sick of out of you and a few others on here. Quit proping up the bullshit league you represent as professional and knocking one of two teams putting asses in the seats.

 

The lower bowl was maybe 80-85% filled. There were a couple sections that weren't even 20% filled and maybe 500 people upstairs. And I hadn't seen the announced number. And even RavenTerp said he knew for a fact that there were 4,800 at the game last week and I estimated 5,000.

So keep reaching. Like blaming Monterrey's attendance on the fact that they have too many home games when they actually have less this year. That was great.

 

This really is incredible to me. I have never before found someone with whom I disagree on almost everything including, in the scheme of things, something as minor as uniforms. First the Blast, I hate the special uniforms, mainly because they play terribly every time they wear a special jersey. I can't recall seeing them actually win any game where they wore the army jersey. The fake throwbacks put me in mind of the tuxedo I wore to the prom in 1975, looked good then, but given the perspective of time you wonder what the heck was anyone thinking. There were a lot of great uniforms in the 1980's, but regretably the Blast's were not among them. Personally, I feel, their present uniform set, home and away, is one of the best coordinated out there today. The Kixx uniforms stink, maybe it has to do with the fact that I sit in the middle tier, but the numbers and names are difficult to make out and to me that is the starting point for any uniform made to viewed from a distance. Again, having lived through the 70's I feel the Kixx homage to the era is misplaced. Again, there is no right or wrong, I'm just amused that even on something this simple I can't find commonality with you.

 

I defer to your expertise, I guess after counting all the PASL-Pro crowds measuered in hundreds you have a good eye for crowd size. There were scouts but it did not seem as many as years past. I'm stunned that you failed to mention the absence of SpongeBob Squarepants at the game, since I know that having the crowd include children and families having a night out together interferes with your enjoyment of the game.

 

I don't know how many scouts there were but it took half of halftime to announce them all and let them parade around the field. God forbid anyone should go to a Blast game without being able to walk on the field.

There was no absence of SpongeBob unfortunately. And they had kids chanting Let's Go Blast into the mic. No one should be chanting into the mic ever, ESPECIALLY not kids.

 

There was just over 8k in the building last night...as for the game, the blast REALLY miss Millwood...and he won't be back for another 2 weeks from what I hear.

 

And take that damn ugly hat with the PASL or Arena league logo off your profile

It's getting old man. You work for the PASL...fine... their top team is Stockton which draws 1600-2000 per game. Top reasons your league is total bush league:

1) players make minimum wage if that
2) they play when they want
3) you play in a rec facility! What is it $50 per hour to rent the field?
4) top team is granted an automatic bid to the finals!
5) anyone with $50 entry fee and a bag of balls is granted a team.

Some may think I am being harsh, I am just sick and tired of NSL and the 3 others on here that belong to the PASL propping up that minor league and putting down eveyone else. Why do you even pay to see the Blast? West Virgina isn't too far. Don't they have a club that plays at the YMCA in Charlestown?

 

Your thrashing out in the dark is lame. Instead of trying to discuss the issues your trying to throw everything and the kitchen sink at me. But your grasp of the facts is limited.

For instance, Stockton does not have an automatic bid to the finals.

If you disagree with my criticism of the Blast then by all means let's hear a rebuttal. I'm obviously holding the Blast to a higher standard because they think the NISL is a better league and because the team took the Blast mantle.

I'm sure there are people in Edmonton lamenting what has happened to the "Drillers" and there will be people in San Diego complaining about the state of the "Sockers".

And finally, if I was the only one knocking the Blast (and I certainly had some positive things mixed in to my game review unlike my man Gamera who has never seen a PASL game and has gone 100% negative) then you might have a point, but the criticism has been wide and varied.

And my stance hasn't changed at all since I joined the PASL and anyone who's been here more than a couple months (cough, cough) knows that.

 

NSL..
I do apologize if I came across and bashing only you.
Look, Hale's major mistake was bringing in the Twisters and keeping the multi point scoring. The state of the game is pretty bad now. The Blast and Kixx draw well and yes, more than half their crowd is made of kids.

I don't agree with kids screaming in the mic, playing music, Spongebob or the moronic chant of Royal Farms, Royal Farms...

BUT

this is what we are dealt with at this time. This is how Baltimore and Philly put asses in the seats. That is a fact. You may not agree or like it, but the PASL will never be seen as a major player, TV deals, any coverage etc... the best hope of ever achieving this would be a few teams in both the NISL and XSL merging, and maybe have some PASL teams as feeder clubs.

I could probably go back and find 99% of your post bashing the Blast, and propping up the league you are affilitated with, although there are only about 6 people on this board that would even know who the PASL is.

 

There see? We mostly agree. I just disagree about merging the XSL and NISL and I disagree that 99% of my posts are bashing the Blast and propping up the PASL-Pro.

Let each of the three leagues chase their destinies. It's nice to see three plans in action at once. In a perfect world we could take the PASL's plans and Ed Hale's money and put something really great together. But until then we'll all keep plugging along.

 

Does anyone know the status of Machel Millwood?

 

He's out for 2 weeks. That was my first home game of the year (Blast), and it was enjoyable as always. I think the "special" uniforms were awful looking. The place was pretty full, the majority of the lower bowl was filled. The upper deck had quite a few fans as well. But again, the Blast putting on a good show with a lot of fans is just plain wrong for some people.

The Blast themselves were flat. Philly was running circles around us all night. The paper mentioned a possible team shake up before the next game. We'll see I guess.

 

I went to my first Blast match in two years last night. The place was packed solid with kids. I don't like the chanting into the mike. It is a very loud evening with the music selection which is aimed at a younger crowd. The venilation in the building was horrible. There were close to 9,000 in the building, It was an impressive crowd and it didn't look like a ton of boy scouts were there. The Kixx were impressive and the Blast looked flat. I saw a lot of old friends there but the noise level was too high for me so I left early. It reminded me of a Chuck E. Cheese that I once went to.

 

Bomp, It's always good to see you at the BLAST games, I'm very sorry I did not have time to talk to you at the Fan Club Table. Mayby the next time!

 

I'm surprised Soccer-Man didn't chime in on this thread.
And Bomp, that avatar of yours always makes me laugh my ass off!

 

First off, how in the hell do you figure 6,500 people there? I would say almost 9,000. We are drawing on average about 4 to 500 more fans than last year. Brother needs to check his math more.

We do miss Mills though. We just came out FLAT saturday. No other excused. All around game was bad. The Blast usually out run philly on any given night. The Kixx got alot of garbage goals, but a win is a win. Watson had the goal of the year Saturday night. In the Sun, Kelly said changes would be comming. Who would they put out there? If there is anybody we are truly missing from this team is Lucio Gonzaga. He is tearing it up in the XSL.

 

Syd: And finally, if I was the only one knocking the Blast (and I certainly had some positive things mixed in to my game review unlike my man Gamera who has never seen a PASL game and has gone 100% negative) then you might have a point, but the criticism has been wide and varied.

Yes, but the difference is I have no desire to see mediocre indoor soccer played in a practice facility, especially if I have to pay to sit on a bleacher or stand. You might say how do I know it is mediocre? BECAUSE it is played in a practice facility would be a start. You like to get on the Blast attendance for being less than announced, but I am sure some of your 413 announced crowds are more like 237. We already know the WAZA crowds are closer to 380 than 3,800. I was going to check out the WAZA next week, but plans have changed, and that You-Tube video was part of the reason. Syd I really do like you buddy, but I am sure you are just as irritating towards the NISL/XSL guys as I am to the PASL folk.

 

That's (mostly) fair. I'd rather see mediocre players in a real arena than the best players in the world in a practice facility. You don't have to have the best players to put on the best show.

For sure we need better venues.