Barons in the pros (MISL edition)
Seven former Barons playing pro indoor soccer
With winter officially upon us, and the outdoor season complete, there are seven former Barons who are continuing to play soccer. They are playing in the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL), with four of them with the Philadelphia Kixx, one with the New Jersey Ironmen and a pair with the Baltimore Blast. While all three teams have lacked consistency in the early season, most of the players have made solid contributions.
In Philadelphia, the Kixx are struggling with a 4-7 record, but have rebounded after losing their first four games, the worst start in team history. They snapped their losing streak with a two wins in a row, but since then, it’s been up and down. They followed that with a three-game skid, but most recently have won two in a row heading into their New Years Eve game at Orlando.
Tony Donatelli (Temple / Glenside, PA) is following up an All-Rookie team selection last year with an outstanding first 10 games. His 19 points (eight goals -- one of them a 3-pointer -- and two assists) is currently tied for the team lead, and is ranked 16th among the entire MISL. The highlight of the season came on November 17 against Monterrey when the Temple alum scored a hat trick helping Philly capture their first win of the season. He is also getting back on defense as well, making eight blocks so far this season.
Steven Wacker (Temple / Philadelphia, PA) has also played in 10 games for the Kixx, and his first goal of the season was an impressive game-winner on December 14 at New Jersey. He found the back of the net with 5:05 left in the fourth quarter to give Philadelphia a 10-8 win, snapping a three-game losing streak. Wacker also has four blocks to his credit as well.
Ryan Heins (Temple / Medford, NJ) and Chris Williams (Philadelphia U / Philadelphia, PA) are both in their rookie years with the Kixx and both have contributed to Philadelphia wins. Heins’ first MISL goal came in Philly’s win December 14 win over the Ironmen. The next night against Orlando, Heins picked up his first career assist and Williams scored his first career goal in a convincing 20-4 win over the expansion Sharks. After a full season outdoors with Miami FC of the USL First Division, Williams has continued his stellar defensive play with nine blocks (3rd best on the team).
Matt Maher (Temple / Cape May, NJ) is a defender for the New Jersey Ironmen, and has helped the expansion team from Newark, NJ to a 5-3 record. He’s contributed an assist and five blocks thus far as he plays in front of former U.S. National Team goalkeeper Tony Meola.
Down in Baltimore, Michael Todd (Hofstra / Cleveland, England) and Brian Devlin (Penn State / Philadelphia, PA) are helping the "Jekyll & Hide" Blast to a 5-5 mark. Todd is third on the team with 11 points (four goals and three assists) and Devlin has played in just three games in his rookie campaign. Todd kicked off his MISL career with a pair of goals in his debut against Philadelphia, which they won 8-2. It was the first of five straight wins for the Blast to begin the 2007/08 season. Since then, they’ve fallen on hard times with five losses in a row to even their record.
