MASL Official Thread 2018-19 (Major Arena Soccer League)

Mr KLC · 12-15-18, 03:17 PM

This Friday night the Turlock Express (0-3) opened up their home season by hosting the RGV Barracudas (1-1) from Texas. Turlock unfortunately was unable to break their losing streak and were shut out by the Barracudas 6-0.

The opening quarter showed two fully energized teams who were both in search of their first win of the season.

The first 5 minutes of play showed an equal amount of possession from both MASL teams. It wasn’t until we were down to the last 6 minutes that Efrain Martinez shot one in off a set play for the Barracudas giving them the lead.

That goal fired up the South Texas Team and pushed them into full offense mode with Efrain Martinez returning for his second goal of the night a few minutes later. This put the Express two goals down and little time in the opening quarter to recover. Barracudas now with the lead made sure to secure it bagging an additional 2 goals in a 2 minute timeframe the following quarter.

The Express entered the 3rd playing catch up as they remained goal less on the board while the Barracudas continued to look for more. Turlock showed better defense in this quarter limiting RGV on offense. Shots for the Express were seen by Ivan Campos and Jorge Carmona but none reached the back of the net. The 5th and 6th goal for the Texas teams were both seen in the last 5 minutes of the 3rd and 4th quarter but none by Turlock.

Efrain Martinez and Erick Ponce were the key players for Rio Grande tonight by scoring two a piece.

The Turlock Express return next week at home on December 22nd. Tickets can be purchased online by visiting TurlockExpress.com or at Turlock Indoor where they play their home games all season

Mr KLC · 12-15-18, 03:18 PM

Baltimore, MD (December 14, 2018) – The Baltimore Blast defeated the Orlando Seawolves 4-1 in their first meeting of the season to improve to 3-1 on the season.

The first quarter began with a defensive battle between the two sides with only one goal scored in the opening period. Orlando opened the scoring on the night midway through the first quarter with a first-time volley from defender Luiz Mota, his first on the season. The Blast had several chances from set pieces, but the Orlando defense limited the Blast to zero goals in the quarter.

The second quarter saw impressive defensive performances from both teams as the offenses were limited in their shots on goal. The Blast began to craft more shots on goal throughout the second quarter and finally found the net midway through the second quarter. Andrew Hoxie equalized off a free kick for the Blast with his fourth goal of the season and first of the night for the Blast. Jonatas Melo provided his 5th assist on the year. Key saves from William Vanzela and Rainer Hauss kept the game tied at 1-1 at the end of the first half.

The Blast came firing out on all cylinders in the third quarter. Minutes into the third quarter, the Blast broke the tie as Josh Hughes tapped in a deflected shot from Jon Orlando to make it 2-1 Blast. Hughes scored his 2nd goal of the season while Orlando provided his 2nd assist on the season. Several minutes later, Elton de Oliveira intercepted the Orlando attacker and passed the ball to Juan Pereira who calmly lobbed the ball over the goalkeeper’s head to extend the Blast’s lead to 3-1.

The Blast defense would not budge as they shut down the Orlando attack once again in the fourth quarter. A late penalty shootout goal from Juan Pereira with a minute remaining capped off an impressive defensive performance from the Blast. Orlando played with six attackers for the rest of the game but the Blast defense held strong for a 4-1 victory.

The Blast were led by Juan Pereira, who recorded two goals in the Blast’s victory. Josh Hughes and Andrew Hoxie also contributed with one goal each, while Jon Orlando and Jonatas Melo both recorded an assist. In goal, William Vanzela recorded 6 saves in the Blast victory.

The Blast are back in action Sunday, December 30 when they travel to New York to take on Utica City FC at 2:00 p.m. EST.