Professional Arena Soccer League Update
February 4, 2014 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL) News Release
Can Sockers, Sidekicks Hold on to Their New Divisional Leads
2/4/14 - The San Diego Sockers and Dallas Sidekicks have taken slim leads in the Pacific and Central Divisions, respectively, but those leads may be short lived. Each team leads by a half game, but are tied in the loss column with teams who own the tie-breakers.
San Diego (12-3) leads Las Vegas (11-3), but the Legends own the tie-breaker and can win the division with wins over the Ontario Fury in their two remaining meetings. San Diego's final regular season game is also against Ontario. A Sockers loss would also deliver a first round bye for Las Vegas.
The Sidekicks (12-2) beat the Legends 8-6 on Friday to take a half game lead over the Hidalgo La Fiera (11-2) and Monterrey Flash (12-3). Hidalgo holds the tie-breaker against Dallas and Monterrey, while Dallas holds the advantage over Monterrey. In the event of a three-way tie, Dallas has the edge in overall league goal differential.
Player of the Week
Sagu, Dallas Sidekicks
Sidelined since November 16 with a hip flexor injury, veteran Sidekicks goalkeeper Sagu returned to the field against Las Vegas Saturday for what the team was calling the biggest game of the year. Sagu delivered a big win for Dallas and held the then-top scoring Legends to six goals. The 40 year old, 4-time Goalkeeper of the Year made 18 saves, none more spectacular than when he robbed Eric Guzman on the goal line by trapping a shot between his feet and holding on as Guzman repeatedly kicked at it trying to drive it six more inches into the net. It was the best of several saves on the night where Sagu did not give the Legends any rebound shots.
Kick Starters - Conversations you should be having about the PASL
Chiles: First to 200
Kraig Chiles became the first PASL player to score 200 goals with a hat trick against Toros Mexico on Saturday. Chiles, in his 5th season, notched his 8th hat trick of the year.
Tovar Passes His Old Assist Record
Enrique Tovar of the Las Vegas Legends broke his PASL assist record on Saturday, picking up his record 34th assist in the fourth quarter.
Flores Tops Kapinos Win Mark
Chicago Mustangs goalkeeper Jesus Flores became the first PASL goalkeeper to win 14 games with weekend wins in Tulsa and Wichita. Joey Kapinos set a new win mark last year with 13 victories in the PASL's 16-game schedule. Flores is 14-0 on the season and 25-5 overall, starting 30 consecutive games for Chicago.
Mustangs Roll to 14-0
The Chicago Mustangs drive to become the second PASL team to run the table and go 16-0 continued with a 16-9 win in Tulsa Friday and 10-5 win in Wichita Saturday. The Mustangs finish the regular season with home games against Harrisburg and Cincinnati, the two teams fighting for the final playoff spot in the Eastern Division.
Nestor Hernandez Leaps Las Vegas in a Single Bounce
Charismatic forward Nestor Hernandez delighted Dallas Sidekicks fans with his 4th straight hat trick Friday. After scoring, Hernandez lifted his shirt to reveal a Superman t-shirt under his jersey. When Las Vegas cut a 7-2 Dallas lead to 7-6, Shaun David knocked a ball away from Israel Sesay and Hernandez got the biggest crowd reaction of the night by winning a foot race to the ball and icing the game with an empty net goal with 14 seconds left in the game.
Mustangs and La Fiera Advance to US Open Semifinals
Chicago advanced to the US Open Semifinals with a 10-5 win over the Wichita B-52s. The Mustangs will host the Cleveland Freeze on February 22 while the Hidalgo La Fiera await the winner of Las Vegas-Bay Area after their 13-2 win over Austin FC.
The Week Ahead
Texas Hidalgo Thu, Feb 06 11:05 am State Farm
Wichita Tulsa Fri, Feb 07 7:05 pm Cox Business
Mexico Turlock Fri, Feb 07 7:05 pm Turlock IS
Cincinnati Cleveland Sat, Feb 08 7:05 pm Soccer Sprtsplx
Saltillo Texas Sat, Feb 08 7:05 pm Ford Arena
Mexico Sacramento Sat, Feb 08 7:05 pm Estadio Azteca
Las Vegas Ontario Sat, Feb 08 7:05 pm Citizens Bank
Harrisburg Illinois Sat, Feb 08 7:35 pm Fld Sprts Cmplx
Dallas Wichita Sun, Feb 09 3:05 pm Hartman Arena
Ontario San Diego Sun, Feb 09 3:05 pm VV Casino Arena
Harrisburg Chicago Sun, Feb 09 4:05 pm Grand Sports
All times Eastern
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