:format(webp)/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_image/image/59313847/usa_today_10767048.0.jpg)
The Baltimore Blast won its third straight Major Arena Soccer League championship, 4-3,
weathering a furious comeback by the Monterrey Flash in front of 8,220 fans at the Arena
Monterrey on March 25, 2018.
It's a Three - Peat for the Baltimore Blast!@cbsbaltimore @MASLarena https://t.co/QADKG5dQbQ
— Baltimore Blast (@BaltimoreBlast) March 26, 2018
Vini Dantas, Andrew Hoxie, Daniel Peruzzi, and Juan Pereira each scored a goal. Despite
recently returning from an injury layoff, goalkeeper William Vanela made eight saves and was named Championship MVP.
The indoor soccer juggernaut has won an impressive ten championships since 1992, stretched across a variety of leagues as the Blast have navigated the chaotic history of America’s most entertaining sport. [Ed. Note: citation needed.]
Former New York Red Bulls II player and St. John’s alum Jamie Thomas completed his second successful season with the club. He scored a goal in the Blast’s 5-4 win over the Syracuse Silver Knights in the Eastern Conference Semifinals.
The Silver Spring, Maryland-native made 23 appearances for the Red Bulls’ USL reserve side in 2015 before joining the Harrisburg City Islanders for the 2016 and 2017 seasons. He spent part of the 2018 preseason on trial with Pittsburgh Riverhounds SC.
Although Thomas spent most of his career as a defender, the fast-paced nature of indoor soccer requires players to wear multiple hats. Constant involvement is demanded, whether through a steady stream of possession or constantly sacrificing one’s body to block shots.
There’s some impossible to quantify level of romanticism to soccer being played outside of the top division, whether it’s on a pitch or sandwiched in between walls. Relatively notable names will pass by on your television or computer screen, sparking a warm feeling of comfort because they’re still out there doing what they love and you can too.
Congratulations on another Championship, Jamie. Here’s to several more and a continued professional career.
Unless the Philadelphia Kixx come back into existence. Then I hope you and the Blast never win anything ever again.