PASL San Diego Sockers

San Diego Sockers Game Notes

Published on December 29, 2010 under Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release


NEXT GAME: SOCKERS vs FUSION

SOCKERS (6-1) vs. San Diego Fusion

DATE: Wednesday, Dec. 29th, 2010

PLACE: Del Mar Arena

TIME: 6:15pm (PST)

BROADCAST: 619Sports.Net (live)

TV: none

SOCKERS BEGIN THEIR US OPEN DEFENSE

Smarting from their first two game losing streak of the season, the San Diego Sockers turn away from PASL-Pro action to begin their defense of the US Open Arena Soccer Championship. First up is a round-of-16 battle with their developmental sqaud the San Diego Fusion. The Fusion earned their way into the Southwest Regional championship by defeating a seven team field in a tournament conducted last month. The winner of this game will face the Las Vegas Knights of the PASL-Premier league. Statistics earned in US Open games do not count toward PASL-Pro totals.

WHAT IS THE US OPEN?

The 2010-11 US Open Arena Soccer Championship is the 3rd edition of an open knockout style tournament for Arena/Indoor Soccer. Currently teams from the PASL-Pro and PASL-Premier participate in the tournament. Like the outdoor Lamar Hunt US Open Cup, the US Open Arena Soccer Championship is conducted as an in-season tournament, separate from the league championship.

SAN DIEGO FUSION: A TRADITION OF WINNING

Founded in 2004 as an outdoor program in the NPSL, the San Diego Fusion have helped for years to build and grow talented players in the county. The Fusion won the 2007 NPSL championship before leaving the league and moving indoors as the developmental squad for the San Diego Sockers. Current players such as Chiky Luna and Scotty Martin saw time with the Fusion during their development.

IF YOU GET THERE, THEY CAN COME

The Sockers will be the host for the US Open Final should the team advance to the end of the tournament. San Diego would need to beat the Fusion, Las Vegas and the winner between California and Tacoma.

OPPONENT'S PROFILE: San Diego Fusion

SEASON: 1-0 (PASL-Premier)

vs. SOCKERS: 0-1 (last season, US Open)

Last Meeting: Sockers 10, Fusion 6 (12/27/09)

Last season the Fusion and Sockers also met in the US Open, with the parent Sockers holding off a late charge from their pupils to post a 10-6 victory. Paul Wright scored a hat trick, with Aaron Susi and Kraig Chiles each adding a pair of goals, An 8-2 halftime lead evaporated in the third quarter as the Fusion rallied behind Amir Vafee's two goals. The Sockers scored twice late to push an 8-6 lead out of reach.

STAR: Nick Perera, forward

Already having earned PASL-Pro player of the week honors, Nick Perera will be trying to take down the big boys of the Sockers wearing a Fusion jersey on Wednesday night. The 6'4", 24-year-old Spaniard has three goals and four assists in three games for the Sockers this year and will be the primary target of the Fusion offense.

WATCH OUT FOR: Chris Toth, goalkeeper

Another Sockers player moonlighting with the developmental squad, Chris Toth will be a tough keeper for the Sockers to beat. In his one start for the parent squad this season, Toth earned Sockers player of the week honors for a clutch second-half performance in San Diego's 6-5 overtime victory at Revolucion Tijuana. On the year Toth is 1-0 with a 5.00 goals against and 75% save percentage.

SOCKERS LEGENDS NIGHT

Wednesday, December 29th, 2010

SAN DIEGO SOCKERS v. FUSION

The San Diego Sockers will honor their past and look forward to their future when they present Legends Night at the Del Mar Arena on Wednesday, December 29th. The Sockers will honor their 1985-1986 championship team throughout the night, as they take on their developmental team the Fusion in the Southwest Regional Final of the 2010-2011 U.S. Open Cup for Arena Soccer. Game time is set for 6:15pm.

The current Sockers will wear replica '85-'86 jerseys for the game, which will then be raffled off, with the proceeds going toward youth soccer in San Diego. At halftime, the Sockers will welcome many of the members of the 1985-1986 MISL champion Sockers onto the field for a special ceremony. Expected to attend are Sockers legends such as Juli Veee, Brian Quinn, Zoltan Toth, Waad Hirmez, Cha Cha Namdar, Jacques Ladoceur and Raffaele Ruotolo, among others. This will be an excellent opportunity for Sockers fans young and old to reconnect with the team's great history and tradition, get autographs from the greats and more.

Check out the San Diego Sockers Statistics

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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from December 29, 2010


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