MASL San Diego Sockers

Kruger and Hughes Pace Sockers' 7-2 Victory over Vegas

Published on November 21, 2014 under Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release


SAN DIEGO--With a blend of youth and veteran talent, the San Diego Sockers have re-established themselves at the top of the MASL Pacific DIvision table.

Matias Kruger and Jeff Hughes scored twice as the San Diego Sockers (4-0) defeated the Las Vegas Legends by a 7-2 count at the Valley View Casino Center. Nick Perera added a game-high three assists and Kraig Chiles scored for the fourth straight game, while the Sockers defense held their opponent to two goals for the second straight contest.

"We're very focused on not giving up goals," said Chiles, the team captain who slotted his seventh of the season with 0.8 seconds in the third quarter, "A 7-2 win is better than a 15-8 win. It was nice to kind of lock them down and allow very few good chances on goal."

After a giveaway set up Frank Tayou for the game's first goal and a Las Vegas 1-0 lead with 11:23 to play in the first quarter, the Sockers struck quickly to level the score. Kruger stole a ball in offensive midfield and dribbled two defenders. While his initial play was blocked, Las Vegas' Ivan Simentel was unable to control and Kruger snapped home the equalizer just thirteen seconds after the Legends (1-3) had scored.

While the 22-year-old Argentine rookie has impressed his teammates greatly in practice with his touch and shot, Kruger's defense is starting to equal his offense. The former Futsal national team striker is adapting to the game of arena soccer quickly and impressing his captain as a result.

"Wait a couple more weeks," said Chiles, "Every week he gets better. Give him more time, he'll literally get better every week this year. Mati's going to be a big-time player in this league."

Kruger said via translator Nick Perera the game of futsal has helped him negotiate the close quarters of so many battles for possession.

"Futsal taught me how to stay man-to-man and win my battles defensively. It's different (in the MASL) because you have more space to cover, but you also have more space to play the ball."

The Sockers' Anthony Medina scored his first of the season on a nifty setup from Perera for a 2-1 San Diego lead four minutes later, and the Sockers carried a one-goal advantage into the second quarter. Both teams failed on second quarter power plays, with Las Vegas taking a significant loss when top power play scorer Felipe Gonzalez suffered an ankle injury on a carded tackle from behind and was unable to return to the game.

It was with a power play expiring that San Diego was able to extend its lead. Brian Farber took advantage of a quick change from the near door of the Sockers' bench, jumping on to accept a pass from Dan Antoniuk and slide his second goal of the season across the line for a 3-1 lead. Antoniuk continued his renaissance in a San Diego uniform, netting a point in his fourth straight game this season while working hard to keep Las Vegas 6'4" target forward Frank Tayou from having room to operate.

"We're a much more complete team this year," said Chiles, who himself played a complete game wearing the captain's armband, scoring a goal while drawing positive reviews for his defensive track-back and passes linked through the midfield, "It's nice to have other players who will put up numbers this year. Just like Chicago (the defending PASL champion Mustangs) who had three 30-goal scorers last year, it's much tougher to defend a team when you can't simply focus on stopping one player."

The Sockers controlled the third quarter, scoring early on Kruger's second of the night, again finishing after his own defensive win in the attacking zone. Vegas' Ivan Simentel answered just nine seconds later scoring off his own wall pass after the restart. But Jeff Hughes' first of the night, set up by a tenacious and hotly paced run by Raymundo Reza (SDSU) down the near wall, made it 5-2 Sockers with 5:05 to play in the period.

The swing goal of the night came after a Vegas flurry around the San Diego net in the closing seconds of the third quarter. Perera and Chiles sprung free on a 2-v-1 break with five seconds remaining, and Chiles calmly rocketed home an upper-V goal from the right slot with 0.8 seconds left on the clock for a back-breaking 6-2 lead after three periods.

Nick Perera (three assists) has taken the scoring lead away from Chiles early in the season, and his 16 points in four games at least temporarily leads the MASL. Nonetheless, the 28-year-old target was quick to praise his captain for facilitating a smooth transition into the fulcrum of the offense.

"Kraig and I combine very well, whether it's at forward or in the midfield. I love playing with him. When I'm on the back post and I'm open, I know he will find me. Kraig has done a great job and he's working hard on defense too."

Already searching for answers offensively, the Legends were frustrated throughout the fourth quarter as San Diego dominated possession and kept the top Vegas strikers from finding open looks on goal. Las Vegas (1-3) has yet to see a goal from three core contributors in Gonzalez, Ricardo Sobriera and Eric Guzman. Leading scorer Ivan Campos was also shut out. After scoring 11 goals to eliminate the Sockers in the playoffs last season, the Legends have manufactured just 15 total goals in their four games this season.

Hughes' second of the night from Perera accounted for the game's final goal, and Brian Farber's blocked shot with three seconds remaining denied a Vegas power play attempt to hold the final line score, pleasing the late Thursday night crowd of 1,922.

With the return leg of a home-and-home set looming on Sunday afternoon in Las Vegas, Sockers head coach Phil Salvagio was not of a mind to celebrate Thursday night's result too deeply.

"It's a division game and we'll take Las Vegas seriously every time we play them. Bottom line, (goalkeeper) Chris Toth played very well tonight and our players committed to getting behind the ball on defense."

The Sockers played without defensive captain Ze Roberto (ankle), who warmed up prior to game time but was held out as a precautionary measure. Felipe Gonzalez made an attempt to warm up after halftime for Las Vegas but was also denied a return to the field. Both veterans are questionable for Sunday's game.

San Diego returns home on December 6th to face the Turlock Express. Tickets are available at sockers.com and by phone at (866) 799-GOAL.

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Major Arena Soccer League Stories from November 21, 2014


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