The St. Louis Ambush (3-18) close out their 2017-18 Major Arena Soccer League season when they host the Monterrey Flash (18-1) thisSunday, February 25, 2018 at 3:05 p.m. CST at the Family Arena in St. Charles.
Sunday’s contest will mark the first time ever the Ambush and Flash have squared off. The Ambush and Flash both began life in 2013 with the Ambush starting in the former MISL and the Flash kicking off in the PASL, the forerunner to today’s MASL. The Flash captured the 2014-15 MASL title, defeating the Baltimore Blast in the best-of-three Ron Newman Cup championship series.
Following their title season, the Flash went on hiatus for two seasons before returning to action for the current season and doing so in championship form. They have clinched the Southwest Division title, their win percentage (.947) is the highest in the league, and they lead the league in goal differential, having scored 71 more than their opponents (through 19 games).
The Flash come to town with two individuals who have contributed to St. Louis indoor soccer history. During his playing careeer, Monterrey head coach Mariano Bollella appeared in five games with the original St. Louis Ambush during the 1998-99 season, then returned to St. Louis to play for the 2004-05 St. Louis Steamers (22 games) and 2005-06 Steamers (25 games). Monterrey forward Carlos “Chile” Farias also played for the Steamers, appearing in 11 games during the 2004-05 season and 28 games during the 2005-06 season.
The Ambush now have a player at the top of one category among the MASL league leaders. Defender Rob Acosta took over the top spot in the “blocked shots” category last weekend with 47. Acosta will have a chance to add to that total on Sunday and help the team close out the season strong with a win and possibly finish the season at the top of that category.
The Ambush will say thank you to their fans for their loyal support this season, as Sunday is Fan Appreciation Day. The first 1,000 fans will receive a bobblehead of Ambush player/coach Hewerton, courtesy of Edge Marketing. A variety of other prizes and giveaways will occur throughout the game, courtesy of Cave Springs Lanes and Harvest Lanes, Knockerball Smash, Altitude Trampoline Park, Sky Zone, Rockin’ Jump Trampoline Park, Bretsky Promotions, Mattingly’s Embroidery & Screen Printing, Arch City Screen Printing, Sportsprint, Dick’s Sporting Goods, Frontier Bowl and O’Fallon Bowl.
