Professional Arena Soccer League Update
January 30, 2013 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL) News Release
Sockers Streak Dies a Sudden Death at 48; Sidekicks Nearly Let Game Slip Away
1/29/13 - After 48 straight wins over 25 months, the San Diego Sockers have finally tasted defeat once again. The Dallas Sidekicks captured a 6-5 win on Shaun David's breakaway goal in overtime, ending the Sockers record winning streak and dinging their all-time regular season record to 54-6 in the PASL.
The Sockers almost played Houdini one more time, reminiscent of some of their escape acts against Tijuana, Anaheim, and Las Vegas. Dallas, clinging to a 5-4 lead with 27 seconds left, tied the ball up in San Diego's end, but the Sockers were able to work the ball free and create a two on one break. Brian Farber slipped the ball to Kraig Chiles who tied the game with just six seconds left.
In overtime Aaron Susi was robbed by Sagu on a point blank shot, which created a counterattack for Dallas. David streaked down the field and unleashed the game-winning goal. Sockers goalkeeper Riley Swift got a hand on it but could only watch helplessly as it slowly trickled into the net.
The Sockers might not even get a chance to end the Sidekicks modest one game winning streak. The teams will meet again Friday in San Diego, but not before the Sidekicks face a stiff challenge on the road in Las Vegas Thursday,
Player of the Week
Jamie Lovegrove, Dallas Sidekicks
When the Dallas Sidekicks became the team to finally take down the Sockers it wasn't one of their many veterans who put up gaudy numbers, it was rookie Jamie Lovegrove. The 22-year old native of Crawley, England scored four goals for the Sidekicks, who never trailed in the game. Lovegrove took the Sidekicks scoring lead with 20 goals and 25 points and also extended his goal-scoring streak to 11 games.
Kick Starters - Conversations you should be having about the PASL
Sockers Streaks End at 35, 48
San Diego's record regular season winning streak stands at 35. Including playoffs, US Open games, and the FIFRA Club Championships, the Sockers won 48 in a row, surpassing the US Pro Team Sports record of 40 set by the indoor football Sioux Falls Storm in 2008. San Diego is still an all-time 30-0 at home during the regular season.
US Open Finalists Set
The Detroit Waza beat the Chicago Mustangs 9-6 on Sunday to advance to the finals of the US Open Arena Soccer Championship against the Sockers. This will be the second finals appearance for Detroit, who lost the first ever US Open final to the St. Louis Illusion in 2009.
Magic Numbers
The Detroit Waza's magic number to clinch the Eastern Division dropped to one. Las Vegas and San Diego have clinched their respective divisions. The Central Division is still too close to call with Dallas just a game ahead of Chicago. The Cincinnati Kings and Dallas have, however, clinched playoff berths.
Real Exciting Finish
Toros Mexico and Real Phoenix hooked up for a wild finish on Saturday. Mexico goalkeeper Maico Lopez received a red card with the score tied 5-5, but Mexico was able to take a 6-5 lead and extend it to 7-5 after Phoenix went into sixth attacker mode. Real did not quit however and got a goal from Ryan Hays to cut it to 7-6. Mike Cudmore headed home a rebound with just one second left to tie the game and send it to OT. In OT, however, Roman Madrid, who came on to replace Lopez in the Toros net, blasted in the game-winning goal. The win gives Mexico (7-6) a stranglehold on the second playoff spot in the Southwestern Division ahead of Phoenix (4-8) and the Arizona Storm (4-8).
The Week Ahead
Dallas at Las Vegas Thu, Jan 31 10:00 pm Orleans Arena
Arizona at Turlock Fri, Feb 01 10:00 pm Turlock IS
Harrisburg at Chicago Fri, Feb 01 8:00 pm Grand Sports
Phoenix at Rio Grande Valley Fri, Feb 01 8:30 pm State Farm
Dallas at San Diego Fri, Feb 01 10:35 pm VV Casino Arena
San Diego at Anaheim Sat, Feb 02 10:00 pm Anaheim CCA
Phoenix at Texas Sat, Feb 02 8:05 pm Ford Arena
Arizona at Sacramento Sat, Feb 02 10:30 pm Off The Wall
Ohio at Detroit Sat, Feb 02 7:30 pm Taylor Sports.
Mexico at Tacoma Sat, Feb 02 10:35 pm Pacific SC
Cincinnati at Illinois Sat, Feb 02 8:35 pm Sports Academy
Harrisburg at Rockford Sat, Feb 02 9:05 pm Victory SC
All times EST
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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from January 30, 2013
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