3.18.09
Racing to the finish
Milwaukee took the XSL lead with a 13-2 win over Detroit last Sunday, but little has been settled.
The Wave have 4 of their last 5 on the road, including 2 at New Jersey. The Ironmen, though 2 games out, have 4 of their last 5 at home.
Head-to-head record is the first tiebreaker; the Wave and Detroit have split their 6 games with one left Friday in Detroit.
Chicago was mathematically eliminated with Sunday’s loss and Milwaukee’s win.
The Wave control things now that they lead, but it would take three more consecutive wins – 2 on the road – to clinch the title outright.
Mr. Reliable
Brett Phillips was ready to hang up the gloves a year or two ago, but the 40-year-old continues to be lured back into the net and play at a high level.After recovering from a shoulder injury two seasons ago, he filled in for the injured Nick Vorberg in Milwaukee and helped the Wave squeeze into the playoffs.
He was out of the game last season, then had a brief trial with the U.S. futsal team in the summer of 2008. New Jersey brought him in when Le suffered a fractured cheekbone, and he ended up winning the permanent job.
A few huge saves against Chicago last Sunday helped preserve a 9-8 win and essentially rescued the Ironmen’s championship hopes.
Time to go camping
All four XSL locations are already busy preparing summer camps, which are a vital part of their business operations.More than 7,000 campers learned the game from professional players and coaches at those locations last summer. Visit each team’s website to learn more about XSL summer soccer camps.