December 8, 1997
The Countdown has Begun for Attack's Return Home
Week in Review-
It's finally over! The defending champion Kansas City Attack split a weekend series,
ending the nine-game road trip that began the season. On Saturday, Dec. 6, the Attack
fell to the Buffalo Blizzard, 9-6, but bounced back on Sunday, Dec. 7, with a victory at Grand Rapids, Mich., against the Detroit Rockers, 12-11.
"Obviously we're a little disappointed with the results of the road trip," Head Coach
Jim Schwab said after Sunday's game, "But we know we've struggled through injuries
and we know that no one ever wins a championship in the first ten games of the season.
We just need to come home and play like we know we can and things will start to fall
in place."
The Attack finished the road trip with a 3-6 overall record, but with nearly half
of their 1997-98 road schedule out of the way. Eleven of the Attack's next 13 games
will be played in the friendly confines of Kemper Arena, and only one road trip the
rest of the season will last more than two games.
"It is very hard to win on the road in this league," Vice-President Zoran Savic said,
"We feel we will be stronger because of the tough schedule we've had to face the
first month of our season. It will only help us in the long run and it will only
make us a better team come playoff time."
News and Notes-
The Attack acquired three-time All Star goalkeeper and former Attack keeper Scoop
Stanisic, who was in goal for the Attack in the 1993 Championship season, prior to
the weekend's road trip. Stanisic was acquired for cash and a draft pick from the
Harisburg Heat, where he'd been playing for the past three seasons.
Stanisic is the NPSL's fifth leading keeper for career victories with 111, and comes
with fifteen years of professional indoor soccer experience. His addition gives
the Attack one of the finest goalkeeping tandems in the league when Warren Westcoat
returns from an elbow injury within the next few weeks.
"Having two keepers of the quality of Warren and Scoop is a coach's dream," Schwab
said, "Scoop's addition to the team and Warren's healthy return put me, as coach,
and the organization itself in a great position to make a run at the NPSL title."
Home Opener--
A fantastic line-up of Kansas City professional sports champions have secured a seat
for the Attack's home opener on Friday, December 12 at Kemper Arena. Connie Johnson
of the 1946 Monarchs, Eli Durante of the 1969 Spurs, Jan Stenerud of the 1970 Chiefs, Frank White of the 1985 Royals, Gary Emmons of the 1992 Blades and Maurice Green
of the 1997 US Indoor Track and Field team will be honored for the championship legacy
they have given to the community.
The Attack will compete with the Detroit Rockers at 7:35 pm Friday night with a Saturday
1:05 pm matinee game to follow the next day against the Buffalo Blizzard. On Friday
night, the Attack will raise the championship banner from last season's NPSL title.
K
ick Off Celebration Set for Crown Center--
The Attack players will be on hand at Kansas City's Crown Center this Friday, Dec.
12, from 12 p.m. to 1 p.m. in order to kick off their 1997-98 home schedule. Players
will be meeting fans, signing autographs and getting Kansas City ready for a fantastic season at Kemper Arena. Also in attendance will be the Attack's biggest fan, Fuzzy
the Attack Cat.
Injury Report-
Warren Westcoat dislocated elbow 1-3 weeks
Brian Loftin knee questionable
Top of form.
