Baltimore Blast (1980–92)

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Baltimore Blast
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Full name Baltimore Blast
Founded 1980
Dissolved 1992
Ground Baltimore Arena
Baltimore, Maryland
Ground Capacity 11,271
Manager Kenny Cooper
League Major Indoor Soccer League

Baltimore Blast were a longtime member of the Major Indoor Soccer League. From 1978 to 1980, the team was played as the Houston Summit but moved prior to the 1980-81 season. The team won the league's championship in 1984. The team folded when the MISL ceased operation in the summer of 1992.

History

The team used Kool & the Gang's "Celebration" to celebrate scoring goals. The aggressive promotion of the team by radio partner WFBR, then 1300 AM was instrumental in its popularity, as well. Art Sinclair and Charley Eckman handled the play-by-play. They were owned by Bernie Rodin, who also owned the Rochester Lancers and the New York Arrows. Mike Zolotorow was the long time Equipment Manager for 20 years.

In 1991, the team contested the Trans-Atlantic challenge. A one-off indoor soccer game at the Sheffield Arena, Sheffield. They beat English first division team Sheffield Wednesday to win the trophy. Wednesday had American international John Harkes in their ranks. The game was the one & only occasion that Eric Cantona played for Sheffield Wednesday during his infamous trial.

Year-by-year

Year League Reg. Season Playoffs Attendance Average
1980-81 MISL 2nd, Atlantic Semifinals 6,540
1981-82 MISL 3rd, Eastern Semifinals 9,557
1982-83 MISL 1st, Eastern Final 10,729
1983-84 MISL 1st, Eastern Champions 11,189
1984-85 MISL 1st, Eastern Final 11,051
1985-86 MISL 4th, Eastern Quarterfinals 10,189
1986-87 MISL 2nd, Eastern Division Semifinals 9,936
1987-88 MISL 4th, Eastern Division Semifinals 8,221
1988-89 MISL 1st Final 8,170
1989-90 MISL 1st, Eastern Finals 8,530
1990-91 MSL 3rd, Eastern Did not qualify 7,432
1991-92 MSL 4th Semifinals 8,206

Notable players

Player
United States Keith Van Eron
United States Dave MacWilliams
United States Mike Stankovic
United States Scott Manning
England Billy Ronson
England Bobby McAvan
United States Tim Wittman
United States Joey Fink
England Paul Kitson
Canada Pat Ercoli
Trinidad and Tobago Ronnie Simmons
Puerto Rico Cris Vaccaro
Germany Heinz Wirtz
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Peter Baralic
England Ken Fogarty
United States Sepp Gantenhammer
Trinidad and Tobago Richard Chinapoo
United States Nick Mangione
Socialist Federal Republic of Yugoslavia Stan Stamenkovic
United States Van Taylor

Head Coach

Arenas

External links