For a while now we have all heard about the Gianni Issue. This goes to court on Jan 24th 2024 Well it seems like things are only getting worse behind the scenes Rumor has it that a dispute is taken place with Key players, I have heard this though several other people so far they have all been correct. As much as I would love to name the players out of respect for them I was asked not to name them. I can tell you that the league is involved with this fiasco and in the end it will be nothing but more Bad press for The Blast and the MASL. The Blast Has yet to hire a new GM, They do have a New M2 coach its rumored to be Tarlik Walker, We also Have Kareem Mouban Back as the goalkeeper coach. Below is an updated roster Not Returning Lucas Roque F Ouna Obasi ( Signed With Harrisburg ) . 47 Keegan Kelly M Released New Signings Oumar Sylla could be for the Blast or Arsenal Raphael Araujo ( Former Heat and Tropics player ) Victor Parerras ( Former Tropics Captain ) Jesus Pacheco Confirmed Returning Players 6 Josh Hughes M 9 Moises Gonzalez F 11 Tony Donatelli M 12 Adriano Dos Santos D 13 Jereme Raley D 17 Jamie Thomas F 20 Mike Deasel D 22 Juan Pereira F 23 Jonatas Melo M 24 Mike Zierhoffer G 33 Oswald Annang F 70 Ricardinho Sobreira M Statius is unknown at this time Isamnia Cohen P Jake Dengler P Jonathan Sousa P 1 Quantrell Jones G 14 Ibrahima Keita D 21 Maxi Schenfeld P 27 Jack Shearer F 88 Patrick Thompson 0 William Vanzela G 25 Max Ferdinand F 78 Nelson Santana
Will be interesting to see how court case turns out. Wonder what the player dispute is about? The Blast still have a good core off returning veterans. I like the recent acquisitions, especially Parreiras. Would be nice if eventually they pick up Diegues and Alves. Would like to see the Blast resign Vanzela, Ferdinand, Santana, Thompson. But should remain competitive if they aren't able to. A number of these new signings are probably going to the M2 Arsenal. Thanks for the info.
I don't see any of the players you have listed coming back. None of them are in training camp. All of the new signing today are for the Blast Not the M2. But I can see some of them getting playing time in the M2, I am not sure how many Masl players you can have on the m2 roster. I can't get in to spacificifics on the disputes right now. I can tell you that the league got involved and it is my understanding that his is Ed Hales call & These players could be suspended indefinitely by the blast. IMO if your not going to pay these players, them out right release them , They have family's to feed and this is going to just leave a bad taste in the mouth of blast fans. the players in question have retained an attorney from my understanding. The MASL or the Blast does not need any more bad press right now. The Blast should be making more player announcements on the 21st and the 22nd .
Yes I agree , if your not going to resign the players, then trade or release them. But maybe something else is going on and the details have yet to be released. Will be good to see some of the new talent develop on the new M2 Arsenal team and Rochester. That is if Rochester Lancers M2 are still affiliated with the Blast. According to the M2 website they still are.
Something else is going on behind the scenes and the details will never be released, Unless a lawsuits are filed and I honestly believe they will be. They will be for breach of contract. I can't see anyone filing a wrongful termination suit because Maryland is an at will state, Meaning you can be fired on the spot for any reason. Technically players are suspended and not fired. The Lancers are still affiliated with the Blast, I would love to see a Baltimore arsenal Roster surface we have 6 goalkeepers in camp. from what I have heard.
Well hopefully those unsigned Blast veteran MASL players will be playing on another MASL team , they would be a great asset to any team. Good to hear about the goalkeeper competition. I'm guessing Zierhoffer will be the starter. I like what I've seen from him so far. Wonder if any other former MASL keepers are in camp? Well that's good that Rochester is still affiliated with the Blast. That gives them more players to develop and draw from. Plus the M3 team. I guess the M2 rosters will be announced after the MASL rosters are finalized.
I think it will be Mike Zierhoffer and Quantrell Jones as our keepers I would not be surprised to see Quantrell Jones as the starter on the M2 team to get some Much needed playing time. I can see him in a dual role on home games he's not a starter. I have not heard of any Veteran Goalkeepers in Gamp. I hope they van get things worked out with William in the next 2 weeks.
Looking at the Blast roster today on the MASL website shows all the new players along with a number of current Blast players. Patrick Thompson and Keegan Kelly are listed on the active roster. Vanzela, Ferdinand, and Melo are listed on the inactive roster with 3 others players. Nelson Santana is not listed in either roster.
Melo's facebook profile says he worked at the baltimore Blast, Before it said he worked for the Baltimore Blast. Keegan Kelly was released. I spoke to him myself, he suffered a major concussion and has not recovered. Nelson Santana , I can't see coming Back if your going younger and faster you can't have nelson on the team. The strikers Just released its goal keeper so maybe ed hale will work something out to let William go play there. I honestly don't believe that no one in the league wanted to do a trade for William, Melo, or Max, What I have been told and my source has been 100% correct so far is that William and Max are suspended Indefinitely by Ed Hale. Both players have retained a lawyer. If Melo is suspended they would be smart to have the same attorney represent them. The Press would love the story. Here are the players not coming back. William Vanzela G (inactive) Jonatas Melo (inactive) Max Ferdinand F (inactive) Nelson Santana ???? Lucas Roque F Traded to the Strikers Ouna Obasi ( Signed With Harrisburg ) . Keegan Kelly Released Confirmed by him
The only time the news or media have ever covered the blast is when it's for something bad. I honestly expect this all to come out shortly, once the shit hits the fan its going to stick to everything. This will give you more of an insight to what Gianni actually did behind the scenes to cause these players to be suspended indefinitely by the blast.
A public post from William Vanzela's Facebook page: I would like to make a few things clear to everyone. •I won't be playing for the baltimore blast. •I have not decided to retire. •After everything I've done in 11 years, all I got was an email from the team lawyer saying that my contract of 2 more years was "TERMINATED". •I never sat down with the "front office" if you can call that, and I never got a call from the owner/president/general manager. •Am I surprised? Not at all. I'm going to miss playing with my friends for sure and I'm extremely grateful for the fans, it was a pleasure to perform in front of you, memories will never die! God is good and life goes on, I'm super excited about what's next! I can't talk about for legal reasons, so please don't ask questions!
I can tell you for a fact William was notified of this, He even took this to the League and they told him it's Ed Hales call. Two separate contracts exist One was for a one year deal that the League has on file with Ed Hales Signature on it. The 2nd is a Two year deal with Gianni's Signature on it According to Maryland law, if someone within a company embezzles, any contract they did are null and void.. I am sure the blast will be making a statement on this shortly.
Statement from Ed Hale https://baltimoreblast.com/2023/12/baltimore-blast-owner-responds-to-false-information/