Western Conference Final Match Preview - San Diego vs. Monterrey
March 17, 2018 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release
MONTERREY, MEXICO - The 14-time and 2017-18 Pacific Division Champion San Diego Sockers challenge the #1-seed Monterrey Flash in the MASL Ron Newman Cup Western Conference Final on Sunday, March 18, 4:05 p.m. PT, at Arena Monterrey. The match can be seen live on MASL.TV or supporters can go to the Barrel Republic in Pacific Beach for a watch party.
The winner will meet the Eastern Conference Champion Baltimore Blast in the one-game Cup Championship Final. San Diego lost 6-3 in the only meeting of the season between the teams on January 28 in Monterrey.
Monterrey swept Sonora to win their Divisional Championship Series. The Flash beat Soles 8-7 in Sonora and then won 9-5 at home to clinch the series.
The Flash are a very dangerous and explosive team especially at home in the smaller confines of their arena. Five players scored over 40 points during the regular season for them. Edgar Flores and Edgar Gonzalez tied for the team lead with 36 points. However, the latter tallied three more goals with 26 goals. Carlos "Chile" Farias is well known in these parts, as he was a member of the A-League Flash in the late 90s, can be a wildcard difference maker in the contest. Monterrey features the superb goalkeeper Diego Reynoso, who finished with a 5.06 GAA. If the Flash get an early lead, San Diego will have a tough time trying to fight back with the size of the field, crowd, and the momentum Monterrey would have.
The Sockers, the #2 seed, defeated the Tacoma Stars twice last Saturday at Valley View Casino Center to win the Divisional Championship Series. After losing the first game in Tacoma 5-2 on Thursday, the Sockers won Game Two by pulling away in the fourth period to win 9-3 and force a 15-minute Mini-Game. San Diego struck early and often to build a 5-0 lead and ended Tacoma's season with a 6-2 victory.
All season long, the San Diego's mantra was defense, defense, and defense. The Sockers achieve the goal of having a tighter backend by being the only team in the MASL not to allow 100 goals or more. Also, the team had the league's best goals-against average (3.75) and the top two goalkeepers on the circuit. John Sosa, who was acquired as a free agent during the offseason, made his presence felt on defense. He was named to the 2017-18 All-MASL Second Team.
The Sockers did not have problems on the offensive side of the field, as they averaged over seven goals per game. Captain Kraig Chiles, who was named to the All-MASL Second Team, topped San Diego's offensive charts with 55 points, 38 goals, and 17 assists. The midfield trio of Brandon Escoto (34 points), Luan Oliveira (30), and Matt Clare (28) supported the powerful offense.
Head Coach Phil Salvagio has the benefit of choosing between two talented goalkeepers in All-MASL First Teamer Chris Toth or All-MASL Third Team member and league GAA leader Boris Pardo. Toth won both Game Two and Three against Tacoma at home last week, while Pardo suffered the loss in Game One on the road.
The Flash finished with the best record in the MASL at 20-2, while San Diego was just one win back at 19-3. If Monterrey wins, they will host the Ron Newman Cup Championship Final. However, if San Diego wins they would host the Cup Championship Final on Saturday, March 31, 7:05 p.m., at Valley View Casino Center and tickets would go on sale on Monday, March 19.
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Major Arena Soccer League Stories from March 17, 2018
- Western Conference Final Match Preview - San Diego vs. Monterrey - San Diego Sockers
- Wave Fall Short in MASL Eastern Conference Final against Baltimore Blast - Milwaukee Wave
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