Professional Arena Soccer League Update
February 5, 2013 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL) News Release
"Sockers Magic" Kick Starts New Streak
2/5/13 - The San Diego Sockers flair for the dramatic has been reaching new heights. From beating Las Vegas on a Brian Farber goal with 2.2 seconds left, to tying the Sidekicks on a Kraig Chiles goal with 6 seconds left, the last minute of any quarter has become their magic time.
With the Sidekicks in town for a rematch, Sockers Magic was on display again. Eddy Velez gave the Sockers a 1-0 lead with 21 seconds left in the first quarter. Trailing 2-1 Chiles tied the game with 20 seconds left in the half.
Then, trailing 4-3 in the fourth quarter, Ze Roberto seized on a ball misplayed by Sidekicks goalkeeper Sagu to tie the game with 40 seconds left. All that paled in comparison to the ending. With the Sockers on the power play, Anthony Medina poked the ball free in a scramble and Velez knocked it in to win the game as time expired.
With their 10-6 win in Anaheim the next night, the Sockers have now won 50 of their last 51 games.
Player of the Week
Kraig Chiles, San Diego Sockers
The Sockers 10-6 win in Anaheim lacked all of the drama of their previous few games against Dallas and Las Vegas, but it was historic nonetheless. With five goals and an assist Kraig Chiles rewrote the PASL record books. Chiles ended the game with 49 goals, surpassing his own league record of 46 that he set last season. With 61 points Chiles has two games to try to meet or beat Bernie Lilavois' record of 68. Chiles has now scored at least one goal in 27 straight regular season games.
Kick Starters - Conversations you should be having about the PASL
Sockers Streaks End at 35, 48
San Diego's record regular season winning streak stands at 35. Including playoffs, US Open games, and the FIFRA Club Championships, the Sockers won 48 in a row, surpassing the US Pro Team Sports record of 40 set by the indoor football Sioux Falls Storm in 2008. San Diego is still an all-time 31-0 at home during the regular season.
US Open Final Set
The Detroit Waza will host the finals of the US Open Arena Soccer Championship against the Sockers on March 2 at Melvindale Ice Arena & Community Center. This will be the second finals appearance for Detroit, who lost the first ever US Open final to the St. Louis Illusion in 2009. The Sockers are the three-time reigning US Open champions.
Magic Numbers
The Detroit Waza clinched the Eastern Division with a blowout win over Ohio. Las Vegas and San Diego have clinched their respective divisions. The Central Division is still too close to call with Dallas just a half game ahead of Chicago. The Cincinnati Kings and Dallas have, however, clinched playoff berths. The Chicago Mustangs and RGV Flash could still win the division, but only one of them will make the playoffs. The Turlock Express can clinch a playoff spot with a win in Sacramento Saturday. Otherwise, the second Pacific spot would go to Tacoma if they can beat Sacramento.
The Week Ahead
Rockford at Dallas Sat, Feb 09 8:00 pm Allen EC
Rio Grande Valley at Anaheim Sat, Feb 09 10:00 pm Anaheim CCA
Turlock at Sacramento Sat, Feb 09 10:30 pm Off The Wall
Cincinnati at Detroit Sat, Feb 09 7:30 pm Taylor Sports.
Ohio at Illinois Sat, Feb 09 8:35 pm Sports Academy
Las Vegas at Phoenix Sat, Feb 09 10:00 pm American SC
Rio Grande Valley at Mexico Sun, Feb 10 4:00 pm Unisantos Park
Rockford at Texas Sun, Feb 10 4:05 pm Ford Arena
Arizona at San Diego Sun, Feb 10 8:05 pm VV Casino Arena
Ohio at Cincinnati Sun, Feb 10 6:00 pm Game Time
All times EST
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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from February 5, 2013
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