Storm looking to halt Monterry's hot streak
The Chicago Storm hopes to turn its season around Saturday when it hosts La Raza de Monterrey at 7 p.m. at the Sears Centre Arena.
The Storm then travels to Detroit for a match Sunday against the Ignition.
The Storm (13-10) has lost a season-high three straight matches, while Monterrey (13-11) has posted a season-best seven straight victories. With a win, the Storm can match last season's home win total with eight.
"Our main focus has been throughout the week to try to get back to the level where we're bringing all facets of the game," Storm head coach Steve Morris said. "We know we have enough talent in the room. It's just getting them to refocus, recommit, focus on attention to detail, and I know we will be back to where we want to be."
Special events: Before the match, the Storm will host its second annual Girl Scouts Kick-It with the Storm event. During the first half of the match, Storm fans can participate in the annual Green Jersey Auction and bid on actual, game-worn jerseys, with bids starting at $75. Following the game, watch Duelo perform as part of the Univision Concert Series. The band, based out of Roma, Texas, is led by Mexican singer and songwriter Oscar Ivan Treviȱo.
Reunited: Mariano Bollella and Fabinho, both with the Storm, won a championship for La Raza when the Mexican-based team was part of the World Indoor Soccer League, and Bollella was the league's most valuable player that 2000 season.
La Raza forward Byron Alvarez played for the Storm during their 2004-05 and 2005-06 seasons. In 45 regular-season games, Alvarez scored 35 points and 25 goals. His 21 goals in 2004-05 ranked second on the Storm. For Monterrey, Alvarez recently had a four-goal, nine-point effort against New Jersey on Thursday. … Monterrey head coach Erich Geyer made his head coaching debut with the Chicago Sting of the original Major Indoor Soccer League from 1986 to 1988.
Early impact: Storm rookie and 2008 MISL College Draft third-round pick Stephen Brust scored his first MISL goal in the first quarter of the team's loss to Monterrey last Thursday. Brust made his debut at the Sears Centre on Feb. 23 against the Baltimore Blast. The local soccer product played for nearby Hersey High School.
Playoff push: With the Major Indoor Soccer League postseason nearing, and no team having clinched a spot through Thursday because of the tight standings, the picture becomes clearer following this weekend's set. And there is a distinct possibility that the Storm can clinch a playoff spot over the weekend. Here are the scenarios (league's top six teams advance to the postseason):
• The Storm can clinch with a Baltimore win on Friday and victories against Monterrey on Saturday and Detroit on Sunday.
• Milwaukee can clinch Friday with a Baltimore win.
• Detroit can clinch Friday with a win against Orlando.
• Baltimore can clinch this weekend with a win Friday and a California loss Saturday.
Points leaders: Matthew Stewart leads the Storm with 21 goals (all two-pointers) and 48 points. Stephen Armstrong has 43 points, leading the MISL in three-point goals with eight. Carlos "Chile" Farias and Mariano Bollella each have 42 points.
La Raza on a roll: La Raza's seven-game winning streak is the best in the MISL, and their potent offense continues to soar. Monterrey leads the MISL with 362 points, and the team is coming off a dominating 28-12 victory Thursday against the visiting New Jersey Ironmen. In that match, Monterrey scored the game's first 20 points with 3 minutes remaining in the second quarter.