Indoor Clash

Coming into the 2008 season, the Kansas City Brigade had plenty of reasons to be optimistic. An on-the-ropes Chiefs franchise did nothing in the offseason to appease its ornery nation of face-painted blowhards, opening the door for KC's arena-football franchise to steal the Chiefs' proverbial thunder sticks. Toss in a move to the Sprint Center (1407 Grand), $9 upper-balcony tickets and the newly illuminated Power and Light District, and this should have been a can't-miss season. Only problem: The Brigade dropped its first four games, low-lighted by an embarrassing 92-52 loss to San Jose. On the heels of a promising 10-6 season, it's a regression that has left players and coaches scrambling for reasons to regain that fast-disappearing optimism. Then again, arena football prides itself on big hits and fast-paced action, two attractions that will remain intact tonight as the Brigade clashes with the Chicago Rush in a 7:30 p.m. contest that will be televised on ESPN2. Call 816-931-3330 for tickets, which range up to $150 for seats close enough to have a player occasionally get hip-checked into your lap. Brigade
Mon., April 14, 7:30 p.m., 2008