Baltimore Blast

The team was founded by North Carolina–based software executive Bill Stealey as the Baltimore Spirit at the end of July 1992 and joined the National Professional Soccer League. The team replaced the earlier Baltimore Blast, who folded along with the original Major Indoor Soccer League.{{cite news |first=Craig S. |last=Ey |newspaper=Baltimore Business Journal |location=Baltimore, MD |publisher=Advance Publications |title=Can soccer succeed in Baltimore? |url=http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/stories/1997/08/11/story1.html |date=August 11, 1997 |access-date=December 9, 2014}} When the team was purchased by Ed Hale, a former owner of the original team, the Spirit were renamed the Blast on July 10, 1998{{Cite web | url=http://www.kicksfan.com/opponents/baltimore/new/index.htm | title=Sidekicks Opponents: Baltimore Blast (New-MISL) }} (Hale had the rights to the Blast name, hence the reason why the team decided to change its name) and joined the new MISL II in 2001. After the MISL II folded in 2008, the team announced it would be joining the new National Indoor Soccer League, which would later acquire the rights to, and became, the third version of the MISL.

One day after the 2013–2014 MISL Championship final, USL President Tim Holt announced a number of teams would not be returning to the MISL the following year.{{Cite web |url=http://www.frequency.com/video/misl-statement/156411245 |title=Video: MISL Statement ~ Frequency |access-date=2014-04-14 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140415062356/http://www.frequency.com/video/misl-statement/156411245 |archive-date=2014-04-15 |url-status=dead }} The franchise announced on April 2, 2014, that it would not return to the Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) after its contract with the United Soccer Leagues (USL), owners of the circuit, expired following the 2013–14 season.{{cite news |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/soccer/bal-in-hopes-to-become-more-relevant-blast-breaks-away-from-major-indoor-soccer-league-20140402,0,7866996.story |last=Graham |first=Glenn |title=Seeking to become 'more relevant,' Blast breaks away from MISL |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |date=April 3, 2014}} It was officially announced the Blast would be one of six teams joining the Professional Arena Soccer League (later renamed the Major Arena Soccer League) in the 2014–2015 season.{{cite news |first=Glenn |last=Graham |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |location=Baltimore, MD |publisher=Tribune Publishing |title=A look at the Blast's new league, the MASL |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/soccer/bs-sp-masl-capsules-1108-20141106-story.html |date=November 7, 2014 |access-date=November 9, 2014}}{{cite web| url = http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2014/04/14/ed-hale-moves-baltimore-blast-to-professional.html| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20140417201511/http://www.bizjournals.com/baltimore/news/2014/04/14/ed-hale-moves-baltimore-blast-to-professional.html| archive-date = 2014-04-17| title = Ed Hale moves Baltimore Blast to Professional Arena Soccer League - Baltimore Business Journal}}

In their first two seasons as a member of MASL, the Blast would win 33 out of 39 games. They placed first in the Eastern Division in both the 2014-2015 and 2015-2016 seasons, played in the 2015 and 2016 championship series and won the 2016 series over Soles de Sonora two games to none. The Blast repeated as Newman Cup Champions in 2017, again winning the final series over Soles de Sonora two games to one. In 2018, the Blast won their third straight championship, defeating the Monterrey Flash 4-3 in the final.

On February 18, 2016, Blast owner Ed Hale announced his intentions to leave the Major Arena Soccer League and form a new league.{{cite news |first=Glenn |last=Graham |newspaper=The Baltimore Sun |location=Baltimore, MD |publisher=Tribune Publishing |title=Baltimore Blast owner Ed Hale plans to remove team from MASL, form new league |url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bs-sp-blast-future-0218-20160218-story.html |date=February 18, 2016 |access-date=February 29, 2016}}

On May 3, 2016, the expansion franchise Florida Tropics SC held a press conference stating they would be joining the IPL. At the press conference, Ed Hale was announced as the chairman of the league, and Sam Fantauzzo, former owner of the Rochester Lancers, was announced as the first commissioner of the league. It was announced that the St. Louis Ambush, Baltimore Blast, and Harrisburg Heat had "resigned" from the MASL.{{Cite web|url=https://www.facebook.com/FLTropics/videos/press-conference/1783778395175144/|title=Press Conference | By Florida Tropics SC | Facebook|website=www.facebook.com}}{{Cite web | url=http://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/soccer/bs-sp-blast-brief-0504-20160503-story.html | title=Blast owner ed Hale launches Indoor Professional League; eight to 10 teams to start play in November | date=3 May 2016 }}

On August 29, 2016, the Blast, Heat, Ambush re-entered the MASL with the expansion Tropics joining.{{cite web|title=MAJOR ARENA SOCCER LEAGUE EXPANDS TO THE SUNSHINE STATE|url=http://pointstreaksites.com/view/masl/news/news_460679|website=Major Arena Soccer League|access-date=30 August 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160902075052/http://pointstreaksites.com/view/masl/news/news_460679|archive-date=2016-09-02|url-status=dead}} The move effectively folded the IPL as no teams remained in the league.

After rejoining the MASL, the Blast would go on to win their second Eastern Division championship and MASL championship over Soles de Sonora for the second year in a row.

The Blast announced in August 2017 that they would move from the Royal Farms Arena to the SECU Arena on the campus of Towson University, beginning in the 2017-2018 MASL season. The move was the first time the Blast franchise played home games in an arena other than the Royal Farms Arena. In June 2021 the Blast announced an affiliation partnership with Baltimore Kings, who will be playing their first arena soccer season in MASL 3 in January 2022.{{Cite web|last=Graham|first=Glenn|title=Blast welcome the Baltimore Kings, who will serve as farm team in Major Arena Soccer League's third division|url=https://www.baltimoresun.com/sports/bs-sp-masl-baltimore-kings-blast-farm-team-20210630-kltsvfe3z5br7fsw5rd237hxkm-story.html|access-date=2021-12-30|website=baltimoresun.com|date=30 June 2021 }} In March 2023, the Blast announced that the Rochester Lancers would be their affiliate in MASL 2{{Cite web|url=https://www.frontrowsoccer.com/2023/03/17/theyll-be-having-a-blast-lancers-announce-affiliation-with-baltimore/|title=THEY'LL BE HAVING A BLAST: Lancers announce affiliation with Baltimore|first=Michael|last=Lewis|date=March 17, 2023|website=Front Row Soccer}}

• As of 2 April 2024{{cite web |title=Roster |url=https://baltimoreblast.com/roster/ |website=MASL |access-date=1 April 2024}}{{cite web |title=ROSTER |url=https://www.maslsoccer.com/stats#/192/team/281778/roster |website=MASL |access-date=1 April 2024}}

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player|no=0|nat=USA|name=Zach Haussler|pos=GK|other=}}

{{Fs player|no=1|nat=USA|name=Quantrell James|pos=GK|other=}}

{{Fs player|no=2|nat=Guinea|name=Oumar Sylla|pos=DF}}

{{Fs player|no=4|nat=USA|name=Erik Lorent|pos=DF/MF|other=}}

{{Fs player|no=6|nat=USA|name=Josh Hughes|pos=MF|other=}}

{{Fs player|no=7|nat=BRA|name=Victor Parreiras|pos=FW|other=}}

{{Fs player|no=8|nat=USA|name=Jesus Pacheco|pos=MF|other=}}

{{Fs player|no=9|nat=USA|name=Moises Gonzalez|pos=FW|other=}}

{{Fs player|no=11|nat=USA|name=Tony Donatelli|pos=MF|other=}}

{{Fs player|no=12|nat=BRA|name=Adriano Dos Santos|pos=DF}}

{{Fs player|no=13|nat=USA|name=Jereme Raley|pos=DF}}

{{Fs player|no=14|nat=USA|name=Ethan Watson|pos=DF/MF|other=}}

{{Fs player|no=17|nat=USA|name=Jamie Thomas|pos=FW}}

{{Fs mid}}

{{Fs player|no=18|nat=USA|name=Brayden Wise|pos=DF}}

{{Fs player|no=19|nat=BRA|name=Ricardo Diegues|pos=FW}}

{{Fs player|no=20|nat=USA|name=Mike Deasel|pos=DF}}

{{Fs player|no=21|nat=USA|name=Dom Alvarado|pos=FW}}

{{Fs player|no=22|nat=BRA|name=Juan Pereira|pos=FW}}

{{Fs player|no=24|nat=USA|name=Mike Zierhoffer|pos=GK}}

{{Fs player|no=25|nat=USA|name=Jairo Guevara|pos=MF}}

{{Fs player|no=27|nat=USA|name=Jack Shearer|pos=FW}}

{{Fs player|no=33|nat=GHA|name=Ozzy Annang|pos=FW}}

{{Fs player|no=42|nat=USA|name=Jack Schindler|pos=DF}}

{{Fs player|no=70|nat=BRA|name=Richardinho Sobreira|pos=MF}}

{{Fs player|no=88|nat=USA|name=Patrick Thompson|pos=DF}}

{{Fs player|no=89|nat=USA|name=Joshio Sandoval|pos=DF}}

{{Fs end}}

{{Fs start}}

{{Fs player|–|nat=USA|name=Jonathan Sousa|pos=MF}}

{{Fs player|–|nat=|name=Rafa Santos|pos=}}

{{Fs player|–|nat=JAM|name=Renan Pastre|pos=MF}}

{{Fs player|–|nat=BRA|name=Victor France|pos=FW}}

{{Fs mid}}

{{Fs player|18|nat=JAM|name=Isamnia Cohen|pos=MF}}

{{Fs player|no=23|nat=BRA|name=Jonatas Melo|pos=MF}}

{{Fs player|no=31|nat=JAM|name=Kevaughn Frater|pos=FW}}

{{Fs end}}

• {{Flagicon|Bermuda}} David Bascome – Head coach, (2020–present)
• {{Flagicon|Brazil}} Adauto Neto – Assistant coach
• {{Flagicon|Brazil}} Sergio Moura – Assistant coach

• {{flagicon|Brazil}} Denison Cabral
• {{flagicon|USA}} Jason Dieter
• {{flagicon|CIV}} Levi Houapeu
• {{flagicon|USA}} Jason Maricle
• {{flagicon|Scotland}} Tony McPeak
• {{flagicon|USA}} Tino Nuñez
• {{flagicon|ENG}} Onua Obasi
• {{flagicon|USA}} Rusty Troy
• {{flagicon|USA}} Barry Stitz
• {{flagicon|USA}} PJ Wakefield
• {{flagicon|USA}} Tarik Walker

Statistics below show the all-time regular-season club leaders and include player statistics from the original Baltimore Blast which competed in the Major Indoor Soccer League (1978–1992).{{Cite web |url=http://baltimoreblast.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/Media%20Guide%20comprehensive%2012-9.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-02-28 |archive-date=2014-04-26 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140426035124/http://baltimoreblast.com.ismmedia.com/ISM3/std-content/repos/Top/Media%20Guide%20comprehensive%2012-9.pdf |url-status=dead }}{{cite web |title=All-Time Roster |url=https://baltimoreblast.com/all-time-roster/ |website=Baltimore Blast |access-date=8 September 2022}} Bold indicates active Blast players.

• {{flagicon|ENG}} Kenny Cooper Sr. (1992–1994)
• {{flagicon|USA}} Dave MacWilliams (1994–1996)
• {{flagicon|USA}} Mike Stankovic (1996–1998)
• {{flagicon|USA}} Kevin Healey (1998–2002)
• {{flagicon|USA}} Sean Bowers (2002)
• {{flagicon|ENG}} Bobby McAvan (2002–2003)
• {{flagicon|USA}} Tim Wittman (2003–2006)
• {{flagicon|USA}} Danny Kelly (2006–2020)
• {{Flagicon|Bermuda}} David Bascome (2020–present){{cite news |title=Baltimore Blast Announces New Coach |url=https://baltimoreblast.com/2020/05/baltimore-blast-announces-new-coach/ |access-date=2 April 2024 |work=The Baltimore Blast |date=28 May 2020}}

• Royal Farms Arena; Baltimore, Maryland (1992–2017) (previously known as Baltimore Civic Center, Baltimore Arena, 1st Mariner Arena)
• SECU Arena; Towson, Maryland (2017–present)

{{Portal|Maryland}}

{{reflist|30em}}

• {{official website|https://baltimoreblast.com/}}
• [http://www.funwhileitlasted.net/tag/baltimore-blast/ Baltimore Blast on FunWhileItLasted.net]

{{Baltimore Blast}}

{{Major Arena Soccer League}}

{{National Professional Soccer League (1984–2001)}}

{{Maryland Sports}}

{{Baltimore}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Baltimore Blast}}

Category:1992 establishments in Maryland

Category:Indoor soccer clubs in the United States

Category:Major Arena Soccer League teams

Category:Major Indoor Soccer League (2001–2008) teams

Category:Major Indoor Soccer League (2008–2014) teams

Category:Soccer clubs in Maryland

Category:National Professional Soccer League (1984–2001) teams

Category:Soccer clubs in Baltimore

Category:Association football clubs established in 1992