The Baltimore Blast moved within one victory of claiming a second successive Major Indoor Soccer League championship with Saturday night's 8-4 victory over host Milwaukee Wave at U.S. Cellular Arena.
The Blast won Friday's opener in the best-of-five series, also in Milwaukee, and can clinch the title at home. Game 3 will be played May 1 at 1st Mariner Arena, and Game 4, if needed, will be played May 2.
Milwaukee, which lost to Baltimore in last year's title series, had the best regular-season record in the MISL and was 17-2 on its home floor this season heading into the games with the Blast.
Danny Kelly scored two goals in the first 4:02 of the third quarter as the Blast turned a tight game into a romp. Carlos ''Chile'' Farias, Denison Cabral and Giuliano Celenza also scored third-quarter goals as Baltimore — ahead, 2-1, at halftime — pulled away to a 7-3 lead heading into the final quarter.
Lance Johnson, Billy Nelson and P.J. Wakefield also tallied for Baltimore. Todd Dusosky scored two goals for the Wave, and Marcelo Fontana and Chris Morman also netted goals.
MAJOR INDOOR SOCCER LEAGUE
CHAMPIONSHIP
Milwaukee Wave vs. Baltimore Blast
Best-of-five series
April 23: Baltimore 12 Milwaukee 3
April 24: Baltimore 8 Milwaukee 4
Baltimore leads series, 2-0
May 1: at Baltimore, 7:35 p.m. EDT
*May 2: at Baltimore, 6:05 p.m. EDT
*May 8: at Milwaukee, 7:35 p.m. CDT
* – if necessary