Dallas Sidekicks Clinch Central Division Title, Retire Tatu's Number Nine
February 9, 2013 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
Dallas Sidekicks News Release
ALLEN, Texas - Defeating the Rockford Rampage 14-5, the Dallas Sidekicks have clinched the PASL's Central Division title and move to 12-3 on the season.
Marcos Rodriguez scored his second goal of the night just 17 seconds into the fourth quarter to put the Sidekicks up 10-2. Rockford then began pressuring the Sidekicks defense and scored three consecutive goals and from Christian Balbino, Ivan Stanisavjevic and Bojan Jovicic. It was not enough to stop the Sidekicks, who when scored four of their own. First came Michael Uremovich's goal at 9:52. Soon after, Jamie Lovegrove, Patrick Shamu and Bruno Guarda each scored their second goal of the night to win the match and the Central Division for the Sidekicks 14-5.
The third quarter was all Sidekicks, Shaun David and Renato Pereira both getting their second goals of the night at 7:00 and 8:47 to put the team up 8-2. Marcos Rodriguez added to the Sidekicks total, scoring his first goal of the season at 12:05.
During halftime, the jersey of Sidekicks head coach and indoor soccer legend Tatu was retired. Tatu was surrounded by former teammates, friends and family for the ceremony. He was surprised with signed jerseys gifted to him by Dallas greats Dirk Nowitski, Nolan Ryan, Mike Modano and Roger Staubach, as well as Brazilian soccer star and friend Pele.
The Sidekicks wasted no time getting started in the second quarter, scoring three goals in just 51 seconds. Renato got the ball rolling at 1:52, Paulo da Silva kept the action going just 20 seconds later at 2:12 and finally Guarda just 29 seconds after that with his first goal as a Sidekick. Lovegrove put the Sidekicks up 5-0 at 6:01, receiving a pass across the arc from Shamu and getting it past Rockford goaltender Ante Cop. Rockford's Gilberto Alfaro put his team on the board for the first time at 7:43. Shamu, already with three assists, scored his first goal of the night at 8:27, rolling a shot from Lovegrove the bottom of his foot and into the net. Rockford had the last word in the second period, Bojan Jovicic scoring with 12 seconds to go.
The Sidekicks were the first and only team to strike in the first quarter, David taking a pass from Shamu, tearing through the middle of the pitch and shooting it in from the center of the arc at 8:58. The Sidekicks dominated possession throughout the most of the period, and continued to do so throughout the game.
The Sidekicks get to remain at home for the last game of the regular season, taking on the Texas Strikers on Saturday, February 23 at 7:00 p.m. It will be Fan Appreciation Night at the Allen Event Center and the Sidekicks will give away a soccer ball to the first 2,000 kids in attendance 16 and under.
Individual and season tickets are on sale now through Ticketmaster. For more information, visit www.dallassidekicks.net or call 214-550-6130. Follow the team on Twitter @GoSidekicks or on Facebook at www.facebook.com/GoSidekicks.
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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from February 9, 2013
- Flash Inch Closer to Second - Rio Grande Valley Flash
- Dallas Sidekicks Clinch Central Division Title, Retire Tatu's Number Nine - Dallas Sidekicks
- Clash with Rio Grande Valley All About Future for Bolts - Anaheim Bolts
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