2010-11 MISL Goals of the Year

MISL Communications: Chicago Riot goalkeeper Ante Cop's game-winning strike against the Baltimore Blast ranked third among the 2010-2011 Major Indoor Soccer League Goals of the Year.

Riot Goal of the Year: 2010-2011

CLICK HERE to vote for the Chicago Riot Goal of the Year for the 2010-2011 Major Indoor Soccer League season. See the panel of goals below:

Riot's Megson joins All-Rookie Team

Chicago Riot forward Alex Megson was named to the 2010-2011 Major Indoor Soccer League All-Rookie Team on Tuesday.

Megson tallied nine goals, two assists and 20 points in 18 games. Five of his goals came during the Riot's final five matches.

Read more at MISL.net.

Radoncic named to MISL 1st Team

Chicago Riot forward Bato Radoncic was named to the 2010-2011 All-Major Indoor Soccer League First Team on Monday. Radoncic led the Riot with 49 points and was a three-time MISL Player of the Week selection this season.

For more, visit MISL.net.

Riotous expectations: Reflecting on inaugural 2010-11 MISL season

Ante Cop's winner: The reaction says it all.

I'm prone to doing things at the last minute like anyone else. But the Chicago Riot's birth into the Major Indoor Soccer League was taking it a bit far.

Starting a professional soccer team in a matter of weeks? Talk about a challenge! But the word "impossible" never crossed my mind as I knew we had the right people running the ship.

My first involvement with the team -- I guess you could call it a job interview? -- originated with Peter Wilt in the Toyota Park parking lot on Oct. 16, 2010, before I had to cover Chicago Fire forward Brian McBride's final home game for an ESPN Chicago article. Ten days later, we held our introductory press conference (thanks for the great turnout!). And several weeks after that, on Nov. 19, the Riot went on the road to Baltimore for its first MISL game.

The Riot crew after our home finale.

With hardly any preparation, this Riot squad put together a season that the team and its fans should be proud of. It didn't result in a postseason berth, but under these circumstances, I'm amazed at what the Riot was able to accomplish.

And it was a thrill to be back in the indoor grind in a unique setting at the Odeum Sports and Expo Center in Villa Park. The Odeum has that Hickory Huskers feel to it like "Hoosiers." The game-day activities and events also were old-school and entertaining. The Riot's version of Bozo Buckets brought back the days where I wish I could have won a Radio Flyer wagon. Chicago Soccer Heritage Night was fantastic, running into the folks who were trend setters of this sport in Chicago, and seeing memorabilia, photos, articles and more from several decades back.

As my bookend for the Riot's first season, though, Chicago's roster deserves the full credit. So here are my top-five moments from the 2010-2011 campaign:

• 5. Cop saves the day (Jan. 16, 2011): Let's face it ... Ante Cop is showing up on several occasions with this list. Cop had 22 saves on this date, and his final save came at the final tick of the clock. The Riot, carrying a two-point lead, made a poor mistake with a three-line pass with 2 seconds remaining in the fourth quarter, putting the ball at the top of the arc for the visiting Baltimore Blast. Baltimore took the free kick and Giuliano Celenza had a clear path with his strike from the left side. Cop dove to his left and batted the ball away to give Chicago its first home win at the Odeum, 14-12.

• 4. Bato heats up (Feb. 6, 2011): Bato Radoncic had a February to remember. He was the league's top scorer in the month (10 goals, 22 points), though he lost out to Missouri's Byron Alvarez for player of the month honors. Radoncic's offensive prowess shined to the fullest on Feb. 6, as he tallied the first hat trick (four goals, actually) in Riot history during Chicago's 16-12 win over the Missouri Comets. Two tallies came during the Riot's critical 8-0 run in the fourth quarter.

• 3. First win in the books (Dec. 19, 2010): The Riot's 0-4 start to the season was a bitter pill to swallow, simply because Chicago lost three of the four games by four points or less. But the Riot finally broke through with a 14-13 road victory over Missouri. The Comets did have a chance to take the game at the end, but Jeff Richey made a clutch diving stop to his left with about 3 seconds left on the clock to preserve the win.

• 2. Cop, Richey rise in OT (March 4, 2011): The mathematical playoff scenarios were already in the rearview mirror, but the Riot fought to the very end in becoming the first team this season to hand Baltimore two defeats. The 11-9 win was capped off by an Ante Cop goal in overtime. Cop didn't get much playing time in the forward role in this match, but he made the most of it with a goal at the 2:11 mark of OT to complete a 6-0 run, ruining the Blast's chance to clinch the regular-season title. Cop shouldn't take the full spotlight, though. The Riot would not have even been in this position if not for the play of goalkeeper Jeff Richey, who posted a game-high 19 saves and kept Chicago in the match. Richey had plenty of critical saves, including a late one in regulation against Giuliano Celenza, who was honored for his career before the match -- Celenza's retiring at the end of the season. The Riot soured the Blast's day on many levels.

• 1. Thrilla in Villa (Jan. 16, 2011): Ante Cop earned a little national acclaim with this strike, which appeared on ABC's "Winners Bracket" show. With 23 seconds remaining and a one-point deficit, Cop unleashed a left-footed strike from a few feet inside the midfield stripe, found the upper right corner of the net and the Odeum went crazy. Chicago Riot 14, Baltimore Blast 12. The reactions afterward were priceless -- Riot head coach Jeff Kraft practically doing an Arsenio Hall "woof! woof!" impression; injured goalkeeper Jeff Richey hobbling with a bad hamstring but lifting up Cop in celebration during the Blast's timeout; and of course the growing contingent of Riot rebel rousers at the east end behind Blast goalkeeper Nick Hovaker. Cop's goal will remain one of the most memorable strikes in indoor, and I don't think I'm being overly dramatic in saying so.

Also check out ...
• HotTimeInOldTown.com: Chicago Riot 2010-2011 season recap; lows, highs & the future

Riot drops finale to Missouri; Richey surpasses 900 saves

Riot goalkeeper Jeff Richey

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. -- The Chicago Riot fell to the third-place Missouri Comets, 18-12, on Sunday to wrap up its inaugural Major Indoor Soccer League season at the Independence Events Center.

In a losing effort, Riot scoring leader Bato Radoncic tallied three goals and an assist, and goalkeeper Jeff Richey made 20 saves to surpass 900 for his career. Richey now has 904 career saves.

Chicago overcame a 10-2 halftime deficit to tie the score at 10-10 through three quarters. But the Comets pieced together another 8-0 run to seal the victory, with two of Missouri's final scores coming when the Riot had a sixth attacker on the field.

"We were down, 10-2, and the boys came back and fought tonight," Riot Head Coach Jeff Kraft said. "I hate pulling the 'keeper, and we got burned in the end. But I'm proud of the boys. And give the Comets credit, they stepped up and could be going to the playoffs. They're peaking at the right time."

The Riot wraps up its first MISL season with a 5-15 mark, while the third-place Comets improve to 8-11 as they attempt to secure the third and final playoff spot.

For more about the Riot, visit ChicagoRiotSoccer.com.

Cop nets winner as Riot tops Blast, 11-9, in OT

Riot's Ante Cop (left)

BALTIMORE, Md. -- For the second time this season, the Chicago Riot's Ante Cop scored a game-winning goal against the Baltimore Blast as Chicago earned an 11-9 overtime victory Friday in Major Indoor Soccer League action at 1st Mariner Arena.

The Riot (5-14) ended a four-game losing streak and became the only team in the league to defeat Baltimore (14-4) twice this season. Chicago's win also prevented the Blast from clinching the MISL regular-season crown and ended Baltimore's eight-game winning streak.

"It's about time for these guys. We've come up many times on the short end of close games, and they never stopped fighting, especially for the city of Chicago," Riot Head Coach Jeff Kraft said. "We've been through a lot, but they know what it's all about. It was a good win all around, and the guys stepped up offensively and defensively."

Cop tallied the game-winner at the 2:11 mark of overtime with a quick turn in the box as Blast goalkeeper Sagu could not come out in time to prevent the attack. Cop has scored three goals this season. Cop's other game-winner was when he was in a goalkeeper/sixth attacker role, netting a three-pointer with 23 seconds remaining to beat Baltimore, 14-12, on Jan. 16 at the Odeum Sports and Expo Center in Villa Park, Ill.

Also noteworthy Friday was Riot goalkeeper Jeff Richey, who kept Chicago in the match with a game-high 19 saves.

Read more at ChicagoRiotSoccer.com.

Riot vies for 2nd straight win at Wave

The Chicago Riot (2-6) faces the Milwaukee Wave (7-3) at 6 p.m. Saturday at the U.S. Cellular Arena. Chicago hopes to build off the momentum following a thrilling, come-from-behind victory over the Baltimore Blast, 14-12, last Sunday.

Read the full preview at ChicagoRiotSoccer.com.

Can't get enough of Ante Cop's game-winning goal against Baltimore. Here's a different angle ...

Cop lifts Riot, earns MISL Player of Week

Chicago Riot goalkeeper Ante Cop netted a fourth-quarter game-winner, assisted a goal and added 22 saves -- including one in the final second -- to lead Chicago to a 14-12 win over the Baltimore Blast on Sunday in Major Indoor Soccer League action at the Odeum Sports and Expo Center. CLICK HERE for the full game recap.

On Monday, the league rewarded Cop's performance by naming him MISL Player of the Week.

For the latest on the Riot, visit ChicagoRiotSoccer.com.

Riot hosts Blast on Sunday

The Chicago Riot hosts the Baltimore Blast for the first time this season at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 16, in Major Indoor Soccer League play at the Odeum Sports and Expo Center in Villa Park, Ill.

The Riot (1-6) begins a four-game stretch where the team faces either Baltimore or the Milwaukee Wave, the top two teams in the current MISL standings. In the only other meeting between the two sides, the Blast defeated the Riot, 10-6, on Nov. 19 at 1st Mariner Arena in Baltimore. Chicago is coming off a 13-11 loss to the Omaha Vipers on Jan. 9 at the Odeum.

"We've got to keep barreling through this," Riot Head Coach Jeff Kraft said of the team's slow start. "We sneaked in a win at K.C. [against the Missouri Comets], and I really believe we can make a run at this."

Read the full story at ChicagoRiotSoccer.com. For game notes, CLICK HERE.

Interview with Riot goalkeeper Ante Cop

Ante Cop takes over starting goalkeeper duties this Sunday for the Chicago Riot with regular starter Jeff Richey out with a hamstring injury.

Riot photo gallery: Suburban Life Publications

Check out some photos from Suburban Life Publications as they dropped by the Chicago Riot's Jan. 9 game against the Omaha Vipers.

Next up for the Riot is a 7 p.m. match on Sunday, Jan. 16, against the Baltimore Blast at the Odeum Sports and Expo Center in Villa Park, Ill.

'190 North' features Chicago Riot

In case you missed Sunday's most recent "190 North" on ABC-7, the Chicago Riot is featured (fast forward about 8 minutes into the video). Check it out! (Off topic, the first segment features Taco Chino, which is located one block away from me!)

Riot's 4th-quarter rally falls short

VILLA PARK, Ill. -- The Chicago Riot posted a late rally but fell to the Omaha Vipers, 13-11, on Sunday in Major Indoor Soccer League action at the Odeum Sports and Expo Center.

In the fourth quarter, the Riot's Fred Degand (pictured) posted a power play goal and Eric Duda netted a three-pointer to cut a seven-point deficit to 13-11. But in the closing minute, the Riot's deep shot attempts either were turned away by Vipers goalkeeper Jose Bontti, or the team missed the goal frame.

Bontti made a game-high 24 saves for Omaha. Riot goalkeepers Jeff Richey (six saves) and Ante Cop (10 saves) split time in the net after Richey left the game with a leg injury. Richey surpassed 800 career saves and sits at 801.

Next up for the Riot is a 7 p.m. match on Sunday, Jan. 16, against the Baltimore Blast at the Odeum.

For the full recap, visit ChicagoRiotSoccer.com.

Riot falls to Comets, 11-9, in OT

INDEPENDENCE, Mo. (Jan. 7, 2011) -- The Chicago Riot fell to the Missouri Comets, 11-9, in overtime Friday in Major Indoor Soccer League play at the Independence Events Center.

Jamar Beasley's goal at the 4:08 mark of the sudden-death overtime boosted the Comets (3-6) toward their first home victory of the season. The Riot fell to 1-5 overall.

"We're keeping every game close, but you can only lose so much without getting frustrated about it," Riot Head Coach Jeff Kraft said. "It's one of those things where the Comets scored when they needed to in overtime. It was a hard-fought game."

Four different Riot players netted goals -- Eric Duda, Alex Megson, Novica "Novi" Marojevic and Andre Berenzon. Novi's three-pointer was part of a 7-0 run that gave Chicago a 7-4 lead in the third quarter.

Read more at ChicagoRiotSoccer.com.

Daily Herald: 'Elvises' plan 76th b-day bash

Check out Jamie Sotonoff's article in the Daily Herald as he brings up the Chicago Riot's "Elvis Night" taking place this Sunday at the Odeum Sports and Expo Center in Villa Park. Daily Herald photographer Daniel White also dropped by to take some photos of an Elvis Presley-clad Riot head coach Jeff Kraft, and Elvis Costello-wannabe Marco Sullo.

Stay tuned for a Riot on ABC-7's '190 North'

The Chicago Riot will be featured on ABC-7's "190 North," which will air at 10:35 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 9. The Riot also hosts the Omaha Vipers at 7 p.m. at the Odeum Sports and Expo Center in Villa Park. Don't miss out!

Riot to host 'Chicago Soccer Heritage Night'

The Chicago Riot of the Major Indoor Soccer League is hosting "Chicago Soccer Heritage Night" at 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 30, for the team's game against the Baltimore Blast at the Odeum Sports and Expo Center in Villa Park, Ill. The night is in honor to all those who have put Chicago soccer on the map, including long-time Chicago Fire veteran C.J. Brown (pictured), who will take the ceremonial first kick as part of the rescheduled festivities from Dec. 12.

"This will be a great opportunity for players and fans to reconnect, reminisce about some great memories and create new ones," said Riot Owner, President and CEO Peter Wilt. "Chicago has such a rich professional soccer history and the Riot is honored to be able to recognize some of the people who helped create it."

Tickets are available starting at $10 at www.ChicagoRiotSoccer.com or by calling 630-708-6284.

Read more about the festivities at ChicagoRiotSoccer.com, as plenty of former stars from the Chicago Sting, Power and other previous clubs have already committed to making an appearance.

Riot's Radoncic named MISL POW

Chicago Riot forward Bato Radoncic was named Major Indoor Soccer League Player of the Week on Monday, following his two-goal, one-assist effort to help lead the Riot to a 14-13 road win over the Missouri Comets on Sunday -- the Riot's first MISL victory.