Fury could take huge step toward playoffs as ex-U.S. mates set to clash in historic matchup
April 4, 2019 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release
Ontario, Calif. - The Ontario Fury has been preparing for one of the biggest sporting events in the history of the Inland Empire, as the club featuring recent signing Jermaine Jones is set to host Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) Pacific Division rivals San Diego Sockers and Landon Donovan. In addition to the significance of Jones and Donovan being ex-U.S. Men's National Team mates and FIFA World Cup stars, the match at Citizens Business Bank Arena also carries massive weight in terms of the standings for the Fury, which would clinch a playoff berth in the event of a fourth straight victory and a Tacoma loss on Saturday.
Jones' Ontario takes on Donovan's San Diego this coming Thursday, April 4, at 7 p.m. PT. Tickets may be purchased by visiting www.ontariofury.com or by calling 909-457-0252.
As part of the MASL's first nation-wide television partnership, all the action will be broadcast live by Eleven Sports, which, in addition to streaming on the Twitch platform via its free digital channel Eleven Sports NEXT (www.twitch.tv/elevensportsnext), is available via national cable/satellite systems (DIRECTV channel 623, AT&T U-verse channel 1665, Verizon Fios channel 597) and other cable and OTT providers (RCN 571, Atlantic Broadband 501, Hawaiian Telcom 1091, Sony PlayStation Vue, FUBO TV).
In its recent 12-2 rout of the visiting Turlock Express, the Fury exploded for a total of nine tallies in the second half.
Midfielders Jones and Juan Carlos Gonzalez led the charge with five points each in the contest while defender Maicon de Abreu followed closely behind with four points.
"We worked hard and had a good team performance," said German-American Jones, who made it 2-0 in the first quarter and added three more strikes after the break. "We had control almost for the whole game, but in the third quarter especially we played really well and made sure things went in our favor. It was an important game for us and I'm very happy with the result."
The 37-year-old, who joined his current side following a storied outdoor career, already boasts an impressive six goals and two assists in just three appearances with his new side. He had a simple explanation for his early offensive success as a first-year MASL player.
"A lot of people don't know, but I started as a striker early in my career," he offered. "At some point I moved back and started to play midfield. I stayed in that position, but I still really enjoy attacking and scoring goals. Because of the shorter field, there are now a lot more chances for me to to that."
Ontario currently finds itself inside the MASL postseason picture for the first time since late February, thanks to Saturday's victory over the Express and a Tacoma Stars home defeat to the Sockers the next day. Jones and company prevailed in a dramatic shootout at Tacoma on March 15 which commenced their run of three straight wins while also crucially handing them the season series against the Stars at 3-2. As a result, another victory combined with Tacoma losing to hosts Dallas Sidekicks over the weekend would seal the deal for the 11-11 Fury in the hunt for the second and only remaining playoff berth in the Pacific Division, given its direct competitor from Washington state sits at 10-11.
Said Jones, whose heroics in the drubbing of Turlock earned him a spot on the MASL Team of the Week, "We did a lot to put ourselves in this position and we believe that the door to the playoffs is wide open. Now we have the toughest game coming against San Diego, but we're not scared. We respect all the teams, but we know the quality we have and hopefully we can show that on Thursday."
Of course, Ontario's clash with the visiting Sockers has drawn even more attention than prior iterations due to the highly anticipated duel of fellow former U.S. standouts Jones and Donovan. While German-born dual-national Jones amassed nearly 70 caps after making a one-time switch to the Red, White and Blue at 27 years old, Inland Empire native Donovan took the field a total of 157 times for his country and is tied for most goals scored all-time with 57.
The Fury's biggest star was keen to provide his own perspective on the excitement generated by the upcoming meeting with his ex-United States teammate.
"It's not a game between me and him but a game between the two clubs," said Jones. "Yes, we both come from a background in outdoor soccer, but we had very different careers. He played most of his career in the United States and I played most of mine in Germany. Of course I want to win, but I see it like a normal game and I really don't care who is on the other team, if it's Donovan or someone else. I care about my team and that's why I want to be successful."
He continued, "It's a bit similar with the rivalry stuff. It doesn't matter who we're playing. I always want to perform on the field. But of course I know our fans care a lot about this game and I know we can give something back to them with a win. That makes me even more motivated."
San Diego's 8-7 defeat of Tacoma on Sunday saw the league leaders extend their own run of victories to a mind-blowing 18 games. The 20-1 Sockers are tops in the MASL in winning percentage (.952) as well as goal differential (+87) and average number of goals conceded per game (3.57), and they have given up by far the fewest total goals (75) of all 17 teams.
Despite Head Coach Phil Salvagio's men having dominated the current campaign, the Fury has made life difficult for its Pacific Division rivals throughout 2018-19. After falling 4-2 at home in December, Ontario suffered two agonizing away defeats in January, a 3-2 overtime decision and a 6-5 result one week later, followed by another 4-2 home loss on February 7 that was an even closer affair until Guerrero Pino hit the open net with three seconds to play and 'keeper Chris Toth off his line to join the attack.
In the two sides' most recent meeting on March 10, the Sockers were on the verge of having their win streak snapped by their visiting fellow Southern Californians, who failed to close out the game despite a 6-4 lead in the fourth quarter and ended up losing 7-6 via a Kraig Chiles golden goal. San Diego is 9-1 in matches decided by no more than two goals this season, with the recent 8-7 road win over the Tacoma Stars coming after an early 4-0 disadvantage and serving as yet another illustration of the killer instincts displayed by Donovan, Chiles and company over the course of past months.
Said Ontario's Jones, whose squad wasted several quality looks and only scored three times in the first half of the 12-2 victory over the Express, "We had a chance to look into San Diego's game against Tacoma. I think it's pretty simple. We know that they have quality players who would punish us for some of the mistakes we made against the other teams we've played since I got here. We have to avoid those and also bury chances like the ones we had in the first quarter and the second quarter against Turlock. If we focus on that, we definitely have a chance to beat the Sockers."
In addition to former Stars and Stripes standout Jones (tied for fifth in MASL with a 2.7 points-per-game average), the Fury roster features team points and assists leader as well as active roster leading goal-scorer Juan Carlos Gonzalez (32, 14 and 18, respectively). The two midfielders will be looking for assistance from a pair of offensively inclined defenders in ex-San Diego man Victor Quiroz (2nd on team in assists with 10 and 2nd on active roster in points-per-game avg. with 1.7) and 22-year-old Brazilian Maicon de Abreu (2nd on active roster in points and goals with 23 and 16, respectively).
Ontario shot-stopping giant Chris Toth, who spent nearly a decade with the Sockers prior to his offseason trade to the Inland Empire, boasts a .741 saves percentage, good for second best in the MASL and almost guaranteed to be subject to a stern test from his former side. Ex-Fury striker Adrien Perez (25 points, 20 goals, 2.5 points-per-game avg.), who led the MASL in scoring until joining Major League Soccer outfit Los Angeles Football Club just over a month ago, has not been a member of the active roster since then.
San Diego has at its disposal the attacking prowess of American outdoor legend Donovan, indoor legend Chiles (7th in MASL with 28 goals, tied for 7th with a 2.5 goals-per-game avg., 10th with 40 points), the always dangerous Brandon Escoto (tied for 4th in MASL with 22 assists, 6th with 49 points, tied for 8th with 45 goals, 10th with a 2.3 points-per-game avg.) and fromer Ontario standout Leonardo de Oliveira (tied for 8th in MASL with 21 assists).
Points-per-game avergage leader Chad Hagerty (3.0) has only made one appearance this season and is listed as part of the inactive roster.
The team's stingy backline features the experienced Luis "Pee Wee" Ortega, who provides cover for veteran goalkeeper Boris Pardo (2nd in MASL with a 3.63 goals-against avg., 4th with a .738 saves percentage).
Previous Match
(from March 30, 2019)
Jones, Gonzalez Dominate as Fury Routs Express 12-2
De Abreu also with standout attacking display as Ontario climbs above playoff line
Ontario, Calif. - The Ontario Fury has climbed into the Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) Pacific Division postseason picture for the first time since late February, courtesy of a 12-2 rout of the visiting Turlock Express on Saturday night. While former U.S. Men's National Team star Jermaine Jones thrilled the fans with four goals and an assist in the contest, fellow midfielder Juan Carlos Gonzalez had a pair of tallies and three assists for an equal points total. Brazilian defender Maicon de Abreu also enjoyed an excellent attacking performance, putting up two goals and two assists on the day.
With a pair of home games remaining in Ontario's regular season, Head Coach Jimmy Nordberg's men will be rooting for a San Diego Sockers win in Tacoma tomorrow, as that would see them retain their spot above the playoff line beyond the weekend.
Against Turlock, the Fury came out guns blazing in the opening quarter, captain Israel Sesay smashing an excellent setup pass off the boards and De Abreu firing home to make it 1-0. The Express subsequently had netminder Edgar Martinez to thank for keeping the hosts from doubling their lead, as the 29-year-old rushed off his line for an excellent foot save against a wide open Jones. However, German-American Jones would not be denied on his next opportunity, sprinting onto an Anibal Echeverria through ball and calmly slotting inside the far post for his side's second.
Ontario very nearly added another strike before the end of the period, but Martinez put up a fight with some more quality goalkeeping. First, the California native came up with a stunning double-save to deny Gonzalez twice in quick succession. Then his one-handed parry sent the ball wide on an Andy Reyes drive from a difficult angle.
The home team continued to knock on the door in the game's second period. After Gonzalez went close again by hitting a low, left-footed shot across the frame and off the right post, Jones rattled the opposite upright with a powerful toe poke from the other side of the area. Matt Max had a chance to pull one back for Turlock not long thereafter, but Fury 'keeper Chris Toth prevented the tally by way of a fingertip save that was followed by a very similar stop from Express netminder Martinez against Echeverria at the other end.
The hosts made it 3-0 when De Abreu picked out William Raygoza, and they would have had another before the end of the half if not for an inexplicable DeBray Hollimon miss. De Abreu's pass from the right beat the goalkeeper and found its way to the far post and the foot of his wide-open teammate, whose awkward hit at the doorstep saw the ball somehow bounce back out instead of into the open net.
Following intermission, the Fury did get its fourth of the match, Raygoza completing his brace on a setup play by Jones. Evan McNeley then converted another DeAbreu assist to make it five and Jones also bagged his second tally, finishing off a Gonzalez pass on a power play for a 6-0 advantage. After Jones subsequently headed home for the hat trick on an exquisite ball off the boards from Gonzalez, the visitors finally got their first when Omar Tapia picked out Adrien Gutierrez.
Three straight tallies in the closing quarter would see Ontario build a 10-1 lead. First Gonzalez ensured his brace with a beautiful chip over the goalkeeper on an Echeverria assist. Then Nevada native Echeverria recorded his third assist and in the process helped Jones get his fourth of the game, followed by a Francisco Cordeiro netter that was set up by Gonzalez. While Turlock's Matthew Germain finished from ex-Fury defender Douglas Lima to double his side's goal total, Cordeiro scored his second on yet another Gonzalez assist and the latter completed his own brace before the final whistle to round out the score line at 12-2.
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The Fury dropped all four of its meetings with the Sockers over the course of the final season of the Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL) in 2013-14. Since the MASL rebrand, Ontario has gone 3-18 against its fiercest rival in regular season and postseason play, combining for an all-time record of 3-22. During the current campaign, the Inland Empire club has lost five times to San Diego, falling 4-2 to the visiting Sockers on December 20 and being handed back-to-back one-goal road losses on January 5 and January 11 (3-2 in overtime and 6-5, respectively), followed by another 4-2 home defeat on February 7. Most recently, Ontario went on the road and dropped yet another nail-biter to its division foes, who prevailed 8-7 in ovetime.
The Stakes
Currently riding a three-game win streak and finding itself inside the MASL playoff picture for the first time since late February, the Ontario Fury has put itself in a strong position to defend the all-important second place in the Pacific Division standings. With two matches remaining in 11-11 Ontario's regular season, Head Coach Jimmy Nordberg's men hold the head-to-head tie-breaker against their direct competitors, the 10-11 Tacoma Stars, and could thus clinch its postseason berth with a combination of a win over San Diego and a Tacoma loss at Dallas on Saturday.
Meanwhile, the high-flying Sockers have locked in the top spot in the division, courtesey of a 20-1 record and a run of 18 consecutive victories that began all the way back on December 20 of last year. With the knockout stages looming, U.S. legend Landon Donovan and company will no doubt have their sights on continuing the strong form they've consistently shown throughout their campaign, as well as on completing the season sweep of their fellow Southern Californians.
Players to Watch
Ontario: Jermaine Jones, Chris Toth, Maicon de Abreu, Juan Carlos Gonzalez, Victor Quiroz
San Diego: Landon Donovan, Brandon Escoto, Kraig Chiles, Luis "Pee Wee" Ortega, Felipe Gonzalez, Pavel Pardo
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from April 4, 2019
- Fury could take huge step toward playoffs as ex-U.S. mates set to clash in historic matchup - San Diego Sockers
- Landon Donovan Talks Inland Empire Roots, Jermaine Jones, Today's Fury vs. Sockers - Ontario Fury
- Fury Can Clinch Playoff Berth with Win and Tacoma Loss on Saturday - Ontario Fury
The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.
