Storm expects to contend for MISL title this time around
Goalkeeper Jim Larkin and his Chicago Storm teammates won't soon forget April 14, 2007.
That's the day the Philadelphia KiXX ended the Storm's season with a 10-6, sudden-death overtime win in semifinals of the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) playoffs. The KiXX went on to capture the league title.
While the Storm had a successful year with a 17-13 record that included the first postseason win in franchise history, there is definitely some unfinished business. That playoff loss will serve as motivational fodder for the Storm as it opens the 2007-2008 season Saturday against the California Cougars at the Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates.
"The experience of last year really left a bad taste in everyone's mouth," said Larkin, who is also the team's assistant coach. "When we came back from Philadelphia, everyone was pretty sour because we felt we should have won. To watch them go on to win the championship was very difficult for all of us."
With that experience and 13 returning players, the Storm could be the team to beat. The top five leading scorers are back, including midfielder Stephen Armstrong, who was named MISL Rookie of the Year. The team made a major off-season addition by signing two-time all-star Carlos "Chile" Farias.
Last season, Armstrong set Storm records by scoring 32 goals and 76 points, fifth-best in the league. The Birkenhead, England native also finished first in the MISL in power-play goals with 14.
"He comes with a great deal of experiences and brings an absolute bomb of a left foot," Storm coach Steve Morris said. "He is a creative attacking player. He has all of the tools that are required for an indoor player -- energy, fitness and a defensive mentality."
Besides Armstrong, Mark Ughy (71 points, 28 goals), Mariano Bollella (59, 17), Matthew Stewart (49, 20) and Awadalla Morad (45, 16) provide the bulk of the offensive firepower. Bollella also had 24 assists to set a Storm record.
The addition of Farias, however, will strike more fear in the hearts of MISL goalies. Farias led the Detroit Ignition to the MISL finals. The crafty forward finished the season 13th in the MISL and second on the Ignition in points with 58, scoring 19 goals and dishing out 16 assists. He was acquired by the Storm in the 2007 expansion draft with a pick received via trade with the New Jersey Ironmen.
"He is a perennial all-star," Morris said. "We expect him to contribute offensively and provide us with not only scoring ability but the playmaking ability that he has better than anyone else in the league. He has great vision and is a wonderful passer with the ball. We expect to feed off Chile."
On defense, the Storm is led by what Morris calls the best goalkeeper tandem in the league, Jeff Richey and Larkin. The team did suffer a loss on defense when Gaston Pernia was selected in the expansion draft. He had a Storm record 58 blocks last year. On defense, Fabinho and Randy Soderman will anchor the back line
This is the franchise's fourth season, and second year at the Sears Centre. While the Storm certainly looks to entertain its fans, the team also wants to bring some hardware home, too.
"We are focused," Morris said. "The whole team believes in the success that we had last year. We are going to commit ourselves to make sure we achieve the goals we have."