May 17, 2008
Cabral's home away from home
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MILWAUKEE - Whenever Blast forward Denison Cabral makes a big play at home, he likes to share the joy with fans by running up to the glass at 1st Mariner Arena.
Last night, he made U.S. Cellular Arena seem like a home away from home.
"When I came here to play in Milwaukee, I wanted to feel like it was at home," Cabral said. "I promised myself that I was going to go up [and jump] on that glass, and I did."
The 34-year-old veteran collected a hat trick last night as the Blast claimed its fourth Major Indoor Soccer League championship in the past six seasons, beating Monterrey La Raza, 14-11.
After scoring his third goal midway through the third quarter, Cabral leaped up and climbed atop the protective glass lining the indoor field, raised his arm in triumph and kissed the Blast logo on his red uniform.
Cabral has played his entire MISL career - 11 seasons - in Baltimore and is the team's all-time regular-season (873 points) and postseason scoring leader (78).
"Four championship trophies in six years," Cabral said. "It's this organization, the players, our staff, our fans, everybody. This is not just the players on the field. This is a championship that we all won together. We're bigger than six guys on the field."
The championship victory in Milwaukee was the second in Blast history. The Blast beat the host Milwaukee Wave in the finale of a three-game series at the Bradley Center in 2003.
The Blast forward set up his team's third goal in the second quarter when he skipped a perfect pass to teammate Carlos Garcia, who was positioned at the left of the Monterrey goal for an uncontested score. La Raza goalkeeper Jose Bontti seemed preoccupied with the approaching Celenza, leaving a wide opening for Garcia to pop in a shot that tied the game at 6.
"I was on the ball and was able to tip the ball along to the far post, and [Garcia] was able to tap it in," Celenza said.
"Sagu played really good in goal," Blast coach Danny Kelly said. "And in the second half, we got back to what made us a success, playing good solid team defense and playing for each other."
Sagu surrendered a late three-point goal to La Raza when the game was out of reach.
La Raza seemed to have a slight edge in fan affection in the early going, perhaps because of the Blast's 14-13 semifinal victory over the Wave last Sunday. But as the Blast built its second-half lead, cheers for the visitors from Baltimore grew progressively louder.
Copyright © 2008, The Baltimore Sun
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