Game Preview: Dallas Sidekicks to Take on Old Rival Tacoma Stars Thursday at Allen Event Center
January 13, 2016 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
Dallas Sidekicks News Release
Allen, TEXAS - When the Dallas Sidekicks take on the Tacoma Stars on Thursday evening, it will be a Throwback Night to remember. The two teams share a storied history, and Sidekicks alumni including Tatu, Kevin "Smudger" Smith and more will be on hand to meet fans and celebrate the past and future of the Sidekicks.
Dallas (7-5), Tacoma and the San Diego Sockers currently sit in a three-way tie for second place in the MASL's Pacific Division, so Thursday's game is an important one in the impending playoff race. Kickoff is 7:35 p.m. at Allen Event Center.
The Sidekicks come into the match match after three days of rest following a trip south where the team faced three games in three days last weekend, falling to Saltillo and then winning two in Brownsville.
Forward Cameron Brown looks to further an eight-game point streak (which includes six multi-point games). Defender Cody Ellis, who received a nod to the MASL's Team of the Week after a stellar road trip last weekend, has 15 points on the season along with forward Arthur Ivo and midfielder RJ Luevano. Goalkeeper Juan Gamboa, Ellis and fellow defensive standouts Fabinho and Mike Jones have kept the teams' GAA at 5.4 so far this season. An area where Dallas may have an upper-hand is on the powerplay, their 16 goals with a man advantage the most in the MASL.
The Sidekicks and the Stars have faced off twice this season, a pair of games at ShoWare Center in Washington. The games were split, Tacoma taking a 4-3 win on Dec. 4 and Dallas dominating to come out on top 6-2 in what would be their first win of the season on Dec. 6.
The Stars last took the turf on Jan. 3, where they suffered an 8-2 home loss to the San Diego Sockers. They have not had much luck against fellow Pacific Division teams - just one victory in four matchups.
Tacoma's offense is lead by forwards Derek Johnson (7G, 7A) and Dan Antoniuk (11G), as well as midfielder Joey Gjertsen (9G, 2A). In his first season with the Stars after a successful year in Missouri, goalkeeper Danny Waltman's 5.27 GAA is the sixth best in the MASL. Waltman has played in all 12 of Tacoma's matches so far this season.
Thursday is Throwback Night for the Sidekicks, where the organization will celebrate their long history with the Tacoma Stars. The featured piece of history will focus on June 20, 1987, when the Sidekicks defeated the Stars 4-3 in overtime to win their first ever championship. Members of the championship team including Tatu, Kevin "Smudger" Smith, Willie Molano, Mike Uremovich, Krys Sobieski, Doc Lawson, Billy Phillips and more will be on hand to meet fans and take pictures with their MISL trophy from 6:35 to 7:00 p.m. At halftime, the team will be honored with a special presentation.
Fans will also be treated to a concession special of $2 beer and hot dogs.
All Dallas Sidekicks home games are broadcasted on the Time Warner Cable SportsChannel (local channel 825) and can be streamed free online at www.golivesportscast.com.
The Sidekicks will be right back at it on Friday night, taking on another Pacific Division opponent in the Ontario Fury (4-5) at 7:35 p.m.
Individual game tickets for the 2015-16 regular season are available at all Ticketmaster outlets and on Ticketmaster.com. Season ticket packages, group outings, and suite offerings are available by calling 469-200-GOAL or emailing tickets@dallassidekicks.net. To get the latest Sidekicks updates, follow the team on Twitter and Instagram @GoSidekicks or on Facebook at facebook.com/GoSidekicks.
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from January 13, 2016
- Gurson Acquisition Headlines Roster Shakeup for Rampage - Cedar Rapids Rampage
- Tacoma Heads to Dallas for Divisional Match - Tacoma Stars
- Game Preview: Dallas Sidekicks to Take on Old Rival Tacoma Stars Thursday at Allen Event Center - Dallas Sidekicks
- Vini Dantas Named to MASL Team of the Week - Baltimore Blast
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