San Diego Sockers Game Notes at Seattle Impact FC
November 7, 2014 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release
San Diego Sockers (1-0) at Seattle Impact FC (0-0)
DATE: Saturday, November 8th, 2014
PLACE: ShoWare Arena, Kent, WA
TIME: 7:35pm PST
0 ESPN Radio 1700-AM (radio)
PLEASE VISIT MASLSOCCER.COM FOR UP-TO-DATE STANDINGS
SOCKERS OPEN ROAD SLATE IN SEATTLE
The San Diego Sockers hit the road for the first time in their 2014-15 Major Arena Soccer League schedule, taking on Seattle Impact FC. This is the first-ever game for the Impact, an expansion team joining the 23-team MASL. The Sockers are coming off an overtime victory against the Las Vegas Legends in San Diego last Saturday.
LAST GAME: SOCKERS 5, LEGENDS 4 (OT)
Kraig Chiles scored on a free kick in overtime as the San Diego Sockers rallied past the Las Vegas Legends 5-4 in the season opener at the Valley View Casino Center. Trailing 4-2 midway through the fourth quarter, Sockers midfielders Eduardo Velez and Brian Farber scored to level the score and force an extra period. After the Legends were called for a defensive clear in OT, Chiles rolled a top-box free kick to Evan McNeley, who paused before sending the ball back to Chiles for the game-winner.
WELCOME TO THE MASL
The PASL welcomed six teams from the now-defunct Major Indoor Soccer League (MISL) during the offseason, and the new 23-team Major Arena Soccer League (MASL) was born. For the first time since the early '80s, pro indoor soccer now operates under one unified roof, with 21 teams in the United States and two in Mexico. The league includes both of last year's pro champs, the Chicago Mustangs (PASL) and Missouri Comets (MISL). The season will be conducted from November to March.
PERERA PRECISE IN DEBUT
Making his return to the San Diego Sockers, 28-year-old forward Nick Perera was the fulcrum of the Sockers' offense in their season opener, recording three assists to lead the team in points. Perera assisted on Brian Farber's equalizer midway through the fourth quarter for his third helper of the game.
MASL RULES CHANGES
The changes to indoor soccer go beyond the league name and logo. The MASL in October announced a series of rules changes that will have a major impact on game flow and scoring. The most significant changes from last year:
- All carded power plays now begin with a shootout. The remainder of the field players line up behind the shootout player at midfield. If the shootout is not converted, play continues directly into a two-minute power play.
- Instead of six team fouls triggering a power play, a field player who accrues four personal fouls in a half will lead to his team suffering a (non-shootout) power play penalty.
- No three-line passing is allowed.
- Slide tackling is allowed in the MASL but only of the ball. Any player contact is a blue card foul.
- The goalie can only handle the ball with his hands inside the boxed-off part of the crease, not the semi-circle.
- Substitution is still allowed in the flow of play, but is NOT allowed at dead balls/free kicks unless a timeout is called. A warning and then a blue card will be issued.
- Overtime is now a 10-minute sudden death period, followed by a three-man shootout if necessary.
'EL VAQUERO' COMES OUT SHOOTING
After suffering through his worst offensive season as a professional in 2013-14, Eduardo "El Vaquero" Velez has started off the 2014-15 season recalling his high-scoring days in Tijuana. Velez tallied twice in San Diego's 5-4 win over Las Vegas, leading the team in goals. He opened the scoring on an assist from Nick Perera in the first quarter, then helped draw the Sockers closer in the fourth when he sent home a pass from Kraig Chiles. Velez led the PASL with 52 points in 2010-11 as a member of Revolucion Tijuana.
SOCKERS SIGN MATIAS KRUGER
The Sockers will have an international flair this season, signing 22-year-old rookie Matias Kruger out of Argentina. Kruger played for Argentina's National Futsal Team since he was 16 and was discovered by the Sockers' Kraig Chiles when his U.S. National Futsal Team trained in Buenos Aires this summer. Matias did not score in his regular season pro debut but did contribute defensively, including a steal that set up the Sockers' first goal.
DIZZY DAN RETURNS TO THE BACK LINE
The Sockers' defensive corps will have a familiar face towering above attackers this season. Dan Antoniuk has re-signed for a third tour of duty in San Diego, joining the Sockers prior to the start of the regular season. Antoniuk, 33, earned first-team all-PASL honors while with the Sockers, earning praise as a physical defender with a big shot who can both neutralize opposing forwards and post up if needed. A well-traveled veteran of both the indoor and outdoor game, Antoniuk played with the MISL St. Louis Ambush last season. He immediately contributed in his first game of the season, scoring a goal in SD's 5-4 win.
WHO'S IN, WHO'S OUT
A quick look at the Sockers' roster turnover this offseason:
- KEY LOSSES: Team captain and forward Aaron Susi, defender Scott Martin (skull fracture), goalkeeper Riley Swift
- KEY ADDITIONS: forward Nick Perera, midfielder Matias Kruger, goalkeeper Jesus Molina, defender Dan Antoniuk
BRAZILIANS ON THE WAY
In addition to Matias Kruger, the Sockers have come to terms with a pair of young players from Brazil, Mardney Almeida Felix (known as "Ney") and Gustavo Machado Queiroga (known as "Guto"). Ney and Guto, along with defender Jonatan Santos, are expected to join the Sockers as the season progresses. All three athletes are currently dealing with visa issues to leave their home country of Brazil.
SOCKERS ON THE RADIO
Saturday's game and all 20 regular season MASL Sockers games will be carried live on ESPN Radio 1700-AM in San Diego. Audio streaming is available at www.espnradio1700.com.
MVP TRIO RETURNS TO SAN DIEGO
The stars are once again aligned for the San Diego Sockers, as the franchise boasts three different PASL MVPs on their roster once again in 2014-15. For the second straight season, three-time PASL MVP Kraig Chiles (2010-11, 2011-12, 2012-13) will be joined by 2008-09 PASL MVP Brian Farber and 2009-10 PASL MVP Jeff Hughes in the Sockers starting lineup. Hughes in particular is looking to show San Diego fans his true mettle after struggling through a 16-point season while dealing with knee troubles in 2013-14. Chiles was the first player in PASL history to record three consecutive seasons of 60+ points, while Farber is a two-time all-PASL performer who is second in league history in goals (140) and points (226), trailing only Chiles. Both Chiles and Farber scored in their season debuts.
TERRIFIC TANDEM IN GOAL FOR SOCKERS
The Sockers boast two of the better keepers in the game of indoor soccer on the same roster. In his first full season as Sockers starting goalkeeper, 25-year-old Chris Toth finished near the top of the league leaderboard in multiple categories. Amongst qualifying keepers (eight or more starts), Toth ranked fourth in GAA (4.89) and second in save percentage (.735). In addition, Toth's career-high 205 saves were the fourth most in the league, but the second-most by any keeper with a winning record. Backing up Toth this season is veteran keeper Jesus "Chuy" Molina, who won a PASL title with the Stockton Cougars in 2008-09. Molina has played for the Cougars, Anaheim Bolts and Las Vegas Legends in the PASL and is one of the more experienced keepers in the game.
OPPONENT PROFILE: SEATTLE IMPACT FC
Taking the field for the first time as a professional indoor soccer franchise, Seattle Impact FC will be looking to make an auspicious debut on Saturday night when they welcome in the Sockers. The Impact is owned by Dion Earl, who will also take the field as a defender for the team. A former pro with the Seattle Sounders, Kansas City Attack and Seattle SeaDogs, Earl has assembled a team featuring a blend of local talent and overseas aspirants. Former Tacoma Stars veterans Mark Lee, Micah Wenzel, Jeff Bader, Brayton Knapp and Steve Mohn will be familiar names to Sockers fans. The most intriguing member of the Impact is possibly Orville "Orry" Stoc from the Netherlands, a professional futsal player who is expected to make his U.S. pro debut against the Sockers on Saturday night.
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from November 7, 2014
- Silver Knights Add Three All-League Veterans & Two Rookies to Final Roster - Syracuse Silver Knights
- San Diego Sockers Game Notes at Seattle Impact FC - San Diego Sockers
- Silver Knights Make Final Roster Signings Before Game 1 - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Lancers Sign Three Players in Advance of Opener - Rochester Lancers
- Ontario Fury Game Day Notes - Ontario Fury
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