San Diego Sockers Game Notes
February 25, 2011 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release
NEXT GAME: SOCKERS vs. DRILLERS
SOCKERS (13-2) vs. Edmonton Drillers (6-3)
DATE: Saturday, February 26th, 2011
PLACE: Del Mar Arena
TIME: 6:15pm (PST)
BROADCAST: 619Sports.Net (live)
TV: Channel 4 San Diego (delayed, 3/2)
SOCKERS FACE CANADA'S BEST
The San Diego Sockers conclude their regular season schedule in the PASL-Pro with an interleague contest against the Edmonton Drillers of the Canadian Major Indoor Soccer League (CMISL). San Diego enters the night knowing a victory would clinch the top seed in the upcoming North American Championships as well as the right to host next season's playoffs. The Drillers are leading their division with the hopes of representing Canada in the upcoming playoffs.
HOME SWEET HOME: DEL MAR DOMINATION
The Sockers are going for their second consecutive unbeaten season in PASL-Pro regular season home games. They come into Saturday's game with a 7-0 record at home in league action this season and a 15-0 mark all-time. In addition the Sockers are 2-0 in PASL-Pro playoff contests at home, 4-0 in US Open contests and 2-0 in exhibitions for a combined home record of 23-0 all-time.
CHILES IN BATTLE FOR GOLDEN BOOT, MVP
San Diego enters their final game of the regular season with their top scorer in line for the goals title (Golden Boot). Forward Kraig Chiles leads the PASL-Pro with 31 goals in 15 games, and with Eduardo Velez of Tijuana "in the clubhouse" with 30 goals, Cincinnati's Jeff Hughes becomes the top competition for the goals lead. Hughes has 27 goals but one game in hand over Chiles, so expect to see the Sockers target their top forward early and often on Saturday night.
TOTH'S NUMBER RETIRED AT HALFTIME
The Sockers will honor their goalkeeper from 1984-1990, Zoltan Toth, by retiring his jersey #1 in a halftime ceremony. Please refer to our separate release for more info.
OPPONENT'S PROFILE: Edmonton Drillers
SEASON: 6-3
vs. SOCKERS: 0-2 (2009-2010)
Last Meeting (2/27/10): Sockers 8, Drillers 3
Edmonton travels to the United States for a critical weekend in their hopes of winning the CMISL for the second time in three years. The Drillers hold a one game lead over Calgary United with three games to play, including one more head-to-head contest. The winner will represent Canada in the North American Championships on March 10-12 in Cincinnati. Edmonton will face the California Cougars in Stockton on Sunday afternoon before returning to Canada to play at Calgary in the season finale.
STAR: Paul Dahliwal, forward
Edmonton's leading goal scorer netted a pair in the Drillers' last game, a 10-7 loss to Calgary. On the season Dalhiwal has nine goals and three assists in six games.
WATCH OUT FOR: Marcus Johnstone, forward
In addition to matching Dalhiwal with 12 points (6 goals, 6 assists), Johnstone is a physical player who was involved in multiple incidents against Calgary, earning a yellow card. Drillers' sweeper Steven Wheeler was red-carded in the match and should be unavailable vs. San Diego.
INJURY UPDATE
The Sockers will play without forward Aaron Susi (hamstring) and have several game-time decisions, including goalkeeper Riley Swift (concussion) and midfielder Chiky Luna (groin). Midfielder Diego Rovira (hamstring) and defender Josh Barton (concussion) are expected to play.
Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from February 25, 2011
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