2014–15 St. Louis Ambush season

St. Louis Ambush
2014–15 MASL season
CEO Andrew Haines
Head Coach Daryl Doran
Arena Family Arena
2002 Arena Parkway
St. Charles, Missouri 63303
Major Arena Soccer League 5th, Central (regular season)
Top goalscorer Elvir Kafedžić (17 goals, 15 assists)
Highest home attendance 7,360 (January 3 vs. Missouri Comets)
Lowest home attendance 4,207 (November 15 vs. Chicago Mustangs)
Average home league attendance 6,110 (10 games)[1]
← 2013–14 (MISL) 2015–16 →

The 2014–15 St. Louis Ambush season was the second season of the St. Louis Ambush professional indoor soccer club. The Ambush, a Central Division team in the Major Arena Soccer League, played their home games at the Family Arena in St. Charles, Missouri.

The team was led by head coach Daryl Doran and assistant coach Joe Smugala.[2] The Ambush finished the regular season with an 8–12 record, placing them 5th in the Central and out of the post-season. The MASL honored forward Gordy Gurson as the league's Rookie of the Year.

Season summary

The Ambush had a difficult welcome to the MASL, starting the season with 5 losses of their 8 games in 2014. This included a 3-game sweep by the Milwaukee Wave and losing 2 of 3 to defending PASL champion Chicago Mustangs while beating the Detroit Waza and the San Diego Sockers. 2015 proved little better as it began with 4 consecutive losses, 2 each to the Missouri Comets and Wichita B-52s. The streak was snapped by an at-home win over the Tulsa Revolution. The Ambush went on to sweep their 3-game season series against Tulsa but won only 4 of their final 7 games of the 2014–15 season. The team finished with an 8–12 record, fifth place in the Central Division, and did not qualify for the MASL playoffs.

History

Launched as an expansion team in the third Major Indoor Soccer League for the 2013–14 season,[2] the Ambush are named after the original St. Louis Ambush, who played in the second National Professional Soccer League from 1992–2000.[3]

In their only season as members of the MISL, the Ambush earned a 4–16 record (6th in the 7-team league) and failed to qualify for the playoffs.[2] After the 2013-14 season, three other teams left the MISL leading to the league's collapse. Along with five other former MISL teams, the Ambush joined the teams of the Professional Arena Soccer League, which was soon rebranded as the MASL.[4] The other teams in the Central Division are former MISL clubs Milwaukee Wave and Missouri Comets, plus PASL clubs Chicago Mustangs, Tulsa Revolution, and Wichita B-52s.[2][5]

Off-field moves

On December 13, the team honored the players and coaches of the 1994–95 St. Louis Ambush. That season of the original franchise saw player/coach Daryl Doran lead the team to the National Professional Soccer League championship.[6]

Before the January 3 game against the Missouri Comets, the Ambush and the Unsung Heroes Soccer Organization hosted their second annual Indoor Soccer Classic event. Teams of first responders from the area competed in a friendly soccer match to raise money for the families of "fallen heroes".[7]

On March 23, just after the conclusion of the Ron Newman Cup playoffs, the team announced that head coach Daryl Doran would return for the 2015–16 season. Doran coached the Ambush to a 4–16 record in 2013–14 and 8–12 in 2014–15.[8]

Schedule

  Win   Loss

Regular season

Game Day Date Kickoff Opponent Results Location[9] Attendance
Score Record
1 Saturday November 8 7:35pm Milwaukee Wave L 4–8[10][11][12] 0–1 Family Arena[13] 6,679[14]
2 Saturday November 15 7:35pm Chicago Mustangs L 3–8[15] 0–2 Family Arena[16] 4,207[17]
3 Saturday November 22 7:05pm at Chicago Mustangs W 8–7[18] 1–2 Sears Centre 1,253[19]
4 Friday November 28 7:35pm Milwaukee Wave L 4–8[20][21] 1–3 Family Arena 4,719[22]
5 Saturday December 6 6:05pm at Milwaukee Wave L 3–9[23][24] 1–4 UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena 3,209[25]
6 Saturday December 13 7:35pm Detroit Waza W 7–6[26] 2–4 Family Arena[6] 6,486[27]
7 Saturday December 27 7:05pm at Chicago Mustangs L 4–5[28] 2–5 Sears Centre[29] 2,006[30]
8 Sunday December 28 6:35pm San Diego Sockers W 8–3[31][32] 3–5 Family Arena[29] 6,574[33]
9 Saturday January 3 7:35pm Missouri Comets L 5–8[34][35] 3–6 Family Arena[36][37] 7,360[38]
10 Saturday January 10 7:05pm at Wichita B-52s L 5–7[39][40] 3–7 Hartman Arena 2,116[41]
11 Friday January 16 7:35pm at Missouri Comets L 5–7[42][43] 3–8 Independence Events Center[44][45] 4,587[46]
12 Saturday January 17 7:05pm at Wichita B-52s L 9–14[47][48] 3–9 Hartman Arena[45] 1,864[49]
13 Friday January 23 7:35pm Tulsa Revolution W 11–5[50][51] 4–9 Family Arena[52] 5,009[53]
14 Saturday January 24 7:35pm Wichita B-52s L 8–9 (OT)[54][55] 4–10 Family Arena 6,027[56]
15 Friday January 30 7:35pm at Harrisburg Heat♠ L 16–25[57] 4–11 Farm Show Large Arena[58][59] 2,316[60]
16 Saturday January 31 7:05pm at Detroit Waza W 6–5[61][62] 5–11 Melvindale Civic Center[58][63] 674[64]
17 Friday February 6 7:35pm Missouri Comets L 5–10[65][66] 5–12 Family Arena[67] 6,989[68]
18 Saturday February 7 7:05pm at Tulsa Revolution W 7–3[69][70] 6–12 Expo Square Pavilion[71] 372[72]
19 Friday February 20 7:05pm at Tulsa Revolution W 14–9[73][74] 7–12 Expo Square Pavilion[71][75] 197[76]
20 Saturday February 21 7:35pm Tacoma Stars1 W 13–3[77] 8–12 Family Arena[75] 7,056[78]

♠ Game played with multi-point scoring (most goals worth 2 points and select goals worth 3 points).
1 Seattle Impact shut down mid-season; franchise purchased by Tacoma Stars

Awards and honors

St. Louis forward Gordy Gurson was selected for the 2014-15 MASL All-League Second Team.[79] Gurson was also named to the league's all-rookie team for 2014–15.[80][81]

On March 13, the MASL announced the finalists for its major year-end awards. These nominees included St. Louis forward Gordy Gurson for Rookie of the Year.[82] On March 19, the league announced that voters selected Gurson as the MASL's Rookie of the Year.[83][84]

References

  1. ↑ "2014-15 League Attendance". Major Arena Soccer League. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  2. 1 2 3 4 Roberts, Ken (November 3, 2014). "St. Louis Ambush looking forward to fresh start". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  3. ↑ Schlinkmann, Mark (June 12, 2013). "Indoor soccer to return to Family Arena in St. Charles". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  4. ↑ Graham, Glenn (April 14, 2014). "Baltimore Blast joining with other teams to form new indoor soccer league". The Baltimore Sun. Retrieved November 7, 2014.
  5. ↑ Marshall, Raymond (July 29, 2014). "MASL Announces 2014-15 Alignment". The Dallas Morning News. Retrieved September 4, 2014.
  6. 1 2 O'Neill, Dan (December 12, 2014). "Ambush set to honor 1994-95 champions". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. Retrieved December 12, 2014.
  7. ↑ "Sports shorts: Indoor Soccer Classic". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. December 30, 2014. Retrieved December 30, 2014.
  8. ↑ "Ambush Head Coach Doran Returns for 2015-16". St. Charles, Missouri: St. Louis Ambush. March 23, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2015 – via Our Sports Central.
  9. ↑ "St. Louis Ambush Schedule". Major Arena Soccer League. Retrieved November 19, 2014.
  10. ↑ "Sports shorts: Milwaukee tops Ambush in season opener". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. November 8, 2014. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  11. ↑ "Fresh start pays lots of dividends for Wave". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. November 9, 2014. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  12. ↑ Docter, Cary (November 9, 2014). "Wave kick off season with a victory against Ambush, 8-4". WITI-TV. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  13. ↑ Boehler, Dave (November 7, 2014). "New coach, same guys". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  14. ↑ "Box Score: Family Arena – Sat, Nov 08, 2014". Major Arena Soccer League. November 8, 2014. Retrieved November 9, 2014.
  15. ↑ "Sport shorts: Ambush lose". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. November 16, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  16. ↑ "Sport shorts: Ambush host Chicago". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. November 14, 2014. Retrieved November 17, 2014.
  17. ↑ "Box Score: Family Arena – Sat, Nov 15, 2014". Major Arena Soccer League. November 15, 2014. Retrieved November 16, 2014.
  18. ↑ "Sport shorts: Ambush gain first victory of the season". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. November 22, 2014. Retrieved November 24, 2014.
  19. ↑ "Box Score: Sears Centre – Sat, Nov 22, 2014". Major Arena Soccer League. November 22, 2014. Retrieved November 23, 2014.
  20. ↑ "Bennett's big quarter turns the tide for Wave". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. November 29, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  21. ↑ "Sport shorts: Wave topple Ambush". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. November 28, 2014. Retrieved November 29, 2014.
  22. ↑ "Box Score: Family Arena – Fri, Nov 28, 2014". Major Arena Soccer League. November 28, 2014. Retrieved November 28, 2014.
  23. ↑ Barbato, Matthew (December 7, 2014). "Offense propels Wave to win in home opener". Milwaukee Journal Sentinel. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  24. ↑ "Sports shorts: Tough draw for U.S. women in World Cup". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. December 6, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  25. ↑ "Box Score: UW–Milwaukee Panther Arena – Sat, Dec 6, 2014". Major Arena Soccer League. December 6, 2014. Retrieved December 7, 2014.
  26. ↑ "Sports shorts: Ambush win". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. December 13, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  27. ↑ "Box Score: Family Arena – Sat, Dec 13, 2014". Major Arena Soccer League. December 13, 2014. Retrieved December 14, 2014.
  28. ↑ "Sports shorts: Ambush lose". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. December 28, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  29. 1 2 "Ambush to play two this weekend". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. December 25, 2014. Retrieved December 27, 2014.
  30. ↑ "Box Score: Sears Centre – Sat, Dec 27, 2014". Major Arena Soccer League. December 27, 2014. Retrieved December 28, 2014.
  31. ↑ Riggins, Alex (December 29, 2014). "No. 13 Huskies Shocked by Stony Brook". U-T San Diego. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  32. ↑ "Sports shorts: Ambush win". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. December 29, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  33. ↑ "Box Score: Family Arena – Sun, Dec 28, 2014". Major Arena Soccer League. December 28, 2014. Retrieved December 29, 2014.
  34. ↑ Althaus, Bill (January 6, 2015). "Comets remain unbeaten". The Examiner. Independence, Missouri. Retrieved January 6, 2015.
  35. ↑ "Sport shorts: Comets stay unbeaten, topple Ambush". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. January 3, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  36. ↑ "Comets report for January 3". The Kansas City Star. January 4, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  37. ↑ "Sport shorts: Ambush to host undfeated Comets". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. January 2, 2015. Retrieved January 2, 2015.
  38. ↑ "Box Score: Family Arena – Sat, Jan 03, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. January 3, 2015. Retrieved January 4, 2015.
  39. ↑ "Sport shorts: Ambush lose". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. January 10, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  40. ↑ Tipton, Lionel (January 10, 2015). "B-52s beat St. Louis for third straight win". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved January 13, 2015.
  41. ↑ "Box Score: Hartman Arena – Sat, Jan 10, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. January 10, 2015. Retrieved January 11, 2015.
  42. ↑ Althaus, Bill (January 17, 2015). "Comets extend winning streak to 13". The Examiner. Independence, Missouri. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  43. ↑ "Sports shorts: Ambush fall to Comets". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. January 17, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  44. ↑ Althaus, Bill (January 16, 2015). "Goalkeeper eager for his chance with Comets". The Examiner. Independence, Missouri. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  45. 1 2 "Sports shorts: Ambush on the road". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. January 15, 2015. Retrieved January 16, 2015.
  46. ↑ "Box Score: Independence Events Center – Fri, Jan 16, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. January 16, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  47. ↑ "Sport shorts: Ambush lose". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. January 17, 2015. Retrieved January 17, 2015.
  48. ↑ Tipton, Lionel (January 17, 2015). "B-52s top St. Louis 14-9 for fourth straight win". The Wichita Eagle. Retrieved January 19, 2015.
  49. ↑ "Box Score: Hartman Arena – Sat, Jan 17, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. January 17, 2015. Retrieved January 18, 2015.
  50. ↑ "Sports shorts: Ambush beat Tulsa". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. January 23, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  51. ↑ "St. Louis beats Revolution on Friday". Tulsa World. January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  52. ↑ "Sports shorts: Ambush at home Friday, Saturday". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. January 22, 2015. Retrieved January 23, 2015.
  53. ↑ "Box Score: Family Arena – Fri, Jan 23, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. January 23, 2015. Retrieved January 24, 2015.
  54. ↑ "B-52s' comeback sinks Ambush". The Wichita Eagle. January 24, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  55. ↑ "Sport shorts: Ambush lose". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. January 25, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  56. ↑ "Box Score: Family Arena – Sat, Jan 24, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. January 24, 2015. Retrieved January 25, 2015.
  57. ↑ "Sports digest: Ambush fall". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. January 30, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  58. 1 2 "Sport shorts: Ambush to play two on road". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. January 29, 2015. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  59. ↑ Bullock, Michael (January 30, 2015). "Harrisburg Heat to entertain MASL rival St. Louis Friday night at the Farm Show". The Patriot-News. Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  60. ↑ "Box Score: Farm Show Arena – Fri, Jan 30, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. January 30, 2015. Retrieved January 31, 2015.
  61. ↑ "Sports shorts: Ambush win". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. January 31, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  62. ↑ Haapala, Kelly (February 2, 2015). "Waza Flo fall 6-5 to Ambush Saturday". Detroit: WDIV-TV. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  63. ↑ Haapala, Kelly (January 30, 2015). "Waza Flo look to bounce back against Ambush Saturday". Detroit: WDIV-TV. Retrieved January 30, 2015.
  64. ↑ "Box Score: Melvindale Civic Center – Sat, Jan 31, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. January 31, 2015. Retrieved February 1, 2015.
  65. ↑ "Sports shorts: Ambush fall". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. February 6, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  66. ↑ Bell, Thad (February 9, 2015). "Comets win twice but old friends Roentved and Andonovski steal the show". The Blue Testament. Kansas City, Missouri: Vox Media. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  67. ↑ Althaus, Bill (February 5, 2015). "Comets not taking nights off despite clinching early". The Examiner. Independence, Missouri. Retrieved February 5, 2015.
  68. ↑ "Box Score: Family Arena – Fri, Feb 06, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. February 6, 2015. Retrieved February 7, 2015.
  69. ↑ "St. Louis blasts Revolution, 7-3, in indoor soccer action". Tulsa World. February 8, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  70. ↑ "Sports shorts: Ambush win". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 10, 2015.
  71. 1 2 "Game on Dec 27th Rescheduled". Tulsa Revolution. December 24, 2014. Retrieved December 24, 2014.
  72. ↑ "Box Score: Expo Square Pavilion – Sat, Feb 07, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. February 7, 2015. Retrieved February 8, 2015.
  73. ↑ "Revolution loses to St. Louis". Tulsa World. February 22, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  74. ↑ "Ambush win in Tulsa". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. February 21, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  75. 1 2 "Ambush end season this weekend". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. February 19, 2015. Retrieved February 20, 2015.
  76. ↑ "Box Score: Expo Square Pavilion – Fri, Feb 20, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. February 20, 2015. Retrieved February 21, 2015.
  77. ↑ "Ambush win finale". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. February 22, 2015. Retrieved February 28, 2015.
  78. ↑ "Box Score: Family Arena – Sat, Feb 21, 2015". Major Arena Soccer League. February 21, 2015. Retrieved February 22, 2015.
  79. ↑ "MASL Announces 2014/15 All-League Teams". Major Arena Soccer League. March 9, 2015. Retrieved March 10, 2015.
  80. ↑ "Sports digest: Indoor soccer". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. March 10, 2015. Retrieved March 12, 2015.
  81. ↑ "MASL Announces 2014/15 All-Rookie Team". Major Arena Soccer League. March 5, 2015. Retrieved March 6, 2015.
  82. ↑ "Gibson a finalist for MVP; four other Comets up for MASL awards". The Examiner. Independence, Missouri. March 13, 2015. Retrieved March 14, 2015.
  83. ↑ "MASL Announces Major Award Winners for 2014/15 Season". Major Arena Soccer League. March 19, 2015. Retrieved March 19, 2015.
  84. ↑ "Gurson rookie of year in MASL". St. Louis Post-Dispatch. March 19, 2015. Retrieved March 24, 2015.

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