BLAST TO HONOR CABRAL AT 2011 MISL CHAMPIONSHIP GAME

Blast to Host 2011 MISL Championship Game on March 25

Baltimore Blast President and General Manager Kevin Healey announced that forward Denison Cabral will return to 1st Mariner Arena for a halftime ceremony on March 25 when the Blast host the 2011 MISL Championship. Cabral, the team’s all-time leading scorer with 941 points, began his career in Baltimore during the 1997-98 season and played 13 seasons with Baltimore’s indoor soccer franchise. The Blast won the 2010-11 regular season title and will take on the winner of the Semifinal series between the Milwaukee Wave and Missouri Comets in the Championship Game.

“With my ownership for the second time in the MISL, one of the key ingredients to our success over our five championships to date has been Denison Cabral,” said Blast Owner Ed Hale. “His skill during normal play and on the execution of free kicks was the best I’ve ever seen since I’ve been involved in soccer. Additionally, his interaction with the fans off the field made me proud that he was a member of the Baltimore Blast family.”
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Cabral, a five-time All-Star and five-time All-League selection, was the MVP of the 2003 MISL Championship series after leading the Blast with 14 points in the playoffs en route to the team’s 2003 title. A member of five Blast Championship teams, Cabral remains the club’s all-time leader in points (941), goals (445), two-point goals (284), one-point goals (142), power-play goals (85), game-winning goals (32), shots (2,044) and postseason scoring (82). He recorded 100 or more points in four straight seasons (1998-99 to 2001-02) and still holds a team record for most goals in a single season with 78 goals in 1999-2000. Cabral, originally from Brazil, began playing professional soccer at the age of 15, moved to the United States in 1994 and became a U.S. citizen in 2007.

“What a great opportunity to personally face-to-face thank my friends and the fans for all the support and respect that I always received from them over the years playing professional soccer in Baltimore!” Cabral said. “This will NOT be my retirement announcement; instead people will find out that I am still around and very active in the soccer/futsal community on and off the court.”

MISL Championship Game tickets on sale now at the 1st Mariner Arena Box Office and at all TicketMaster outlets including TicketMaster phonecharge at 410-547-SEAT. Tickets can also be purchased online at www.ticketmaster.com. Tickets cost $30, $22, $19 and $16. For additional information on Blast tickets, call the Blast at 410-73-BLAST.