Friday, February 2nd

Baltimore Blast 9-7 Empire Strykers

A huge display of play for Baltimore. The game started with four quick goals in the first quarter for the Blast. In the second and third quarters, both teams would score four goals. This would set up the late push for the Strykers, but a little too late and a fourth quarter goal by Baltimore put the final nail in the indoor coffin. This result could be the one that writes off the Empire’s playoff hopes.

Tacoma Stars 6-5 Kansas City Comets

What a game - the game of the weekend for me personally. The game did start off in favor of the Comets but the Stars fought back. Throughout the game, both teams would trade off who was in the lead. With a minute and thirty seconds on the clock, Tacoma would tie it and send it into overtime. However, overtime could not separate these two and, for the first time in a long time, we saw a shoutout decide a game. Nani Mendoza would get the win for Tacoma. However, this game would give Tacoma some bad news, Nick Perera would end his night early due to a knee injury. This knee injury would also see him missing the Beach Soccer World Cup.

Chihuahua Savage 8-6 San Diego Sockers

Chihuahua showed why they are the team to beat in the West. The game kicked off with a goal from San Diego but, by the second quarter, the Savage were in control. In the third and fourth quarters the two went goal for goal. The game was chippy and 10 cards were given out. However, in the end, Chihuahua took the points. Now having beaten San Diego both at home and on the road, Savage should be the clear favorites in the West.

Saturday, February 3rd

Kansas City Comets 7-2 Empire Strykers

A long weekend for the Strykers, after losing to Baltimore, they would travel to Kansas City. In the Cable Dahmer Arena, the Empire would fall for the second time this weekend. While they did out shoot the Comets, a solid defense and a top performance from Nicolau Neto, would keep the Empire at two goals for the full time. Kansas City would score 7 goals and, for the first time this season, they would do it without Zach Reget in the lineup. Lucas Sousa and Ramone Palmer would both score a brace to give the Comets a comfortable win.

Tacoma Stars 12-6 St Louis Ambush

What a roller coaster for St Louis’s fans. The first two quarters saw Tacoma run away with the game and putting them in front with a 6-2 score line. Then in the third quarter, the Ambush fought their way back to a 6-5 score line, only to have the Stars score six more goals in the fourth quarter. Ultimately, the game would end 12-6. This was the first game that the Stars would play without Nick Perera. In his absence, Jamael Cox would step up and get himself six points on the night. It should also be noted that both William Eskay and Raphael Araujo were away on national team duties.

Chihuahua Savage 7-4 Texas Outlaws

Another win for Chihuahua and another test Texas fails to pass. This match was played less than 24 hours after the game against San Diego and Savage still found a way to pull this off.

Controlling both halves and scoring first, Chihuahua looks like they have found their rhythm after their five losses against Monterrey. Miguel Diaz kept his form, earning his third star out of the last four games they have played, now he is the leading points and goal scorer for the Savage.

- Geo Monterroso

While Geo is a contributing writer for Protagonist Soccer, he’s also the founder and host of the Goals N Boards podcast. It’s the best podcast strictly devoted to MASL.