San Diego Sockers Game Notes
March 11, 2011 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release
NEXT GAME: SOCKERS vs. MEXICO CITY
SOCKERS vs. Mexico City Sidekicks
DATE: Friday, March 11th, 2011
TIME: 3:30pm (PST)
BROADCAST: 619Sports.Net (live)
TV: none
SOCKERS OPEN PLAYOFF DEFENSE IN SEMIS
The San Diego Sockers take the pitch at the Cincinnati Gardens on Friday evening in the semi-finals of the 2011 PASL North American Championships, taking on the Mexico City Sidekicks from Liga Mexicana de Futbol Rapido. The Sidekicks defeated Calgary United 10-2 in Thursday's quarterfinal to earn the right to face the top-seeded Sockers. This is a rematch of last year's semi-finals in Del Mar, where the Sockers rallied from three early deficits to beat the Sidekicks 6-5 on a last-minute goal by Chiky Luna.
CHILES WINS MVP, SALVAGIO COACH OF YEAR
San Diego's record-setting regular season netted a host of honors including the PASL-Pro's top two prizes. On the heels of winning the Golden Boot as the league's top goal scorer (33), forward Kraig Chiles was named league MVP late Tuesday night, his first such honor. Sockers head coach Phil Salvagio was named coach of the year. Salvagio is 27-5 in two seasons as Sockers head coach.
SOCKERS SHORT-HANDED FOR SEMIS
Two all-league performers will be out of the lineup for the Sockers on Saturday, dramatically increasing the degree of difficulty for San Diego's bid to repeat as league champion. First-team all-PASL defender Dan Antoniuk will miss the entire weekend after being signed to a one-game MLS contract with Dallas FC for their exhibition game on Saturday. In addition goalkeeper Riley Swift (second-team all-PASL) will miss Friday's semifinal due to a firefighter training program he is in the midst of completing. Chris Toth will start in goal on Friday and Swift will be available Saturday should the Sockers advance to the finals.
OPPONENT'S PROFILE: Mexico City Sidekicks
SEASON: 5-2 (LMFR)
vs. SOCKERS: 0-1 (2009-2010)
Last Meeting (3/12/10): Sockers 6, Sidekicks 5
Mexico City plays with a full and heavy heart as they take the pitch, a team rallying around their fallen players after a tragic wreck south of the border. On February 18th the Sidekicks' team van carrying 11 players blew a tire and rolled over several times. Two players were killed immediately and two others died at the hospital. Three of the four players faced the Sockers in last year's semifinals. The Sidekicks restocked their roster with national team and former MISL players and decided to dedicate this tournament to their fallen teammates.
STAR: Carlos "Chile" Farias, forward
A former San Diego Socker from their past iteration in the early 2000's, Farias was leading the MISL in goals scored with Omaha before being released for financial concerns earlier this year. With a lethal left foot and great creativity, Farias is expected to be a major force in tonight's game.
WATCH OUT FOR: Genoni Martinez, defender
Another former long-time indoor veteran, "Genoni" is known for one of the hardest outside shots in the game. Martinez has been known to knock out players cold with his left footed strikes, and he is a large and physical (if aged) presence on the back line for the Sidekicks.
INJURY UPDATE
The Sockers expect to return midfielder Chiky Luna (groin) and defender John Krause (knee) to the starting lineup.
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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from March 11, 2011
- Kings Run Ends in Semis, 11-7 to Guadalajara - Cincinnati Kings
- Sockers Advance to Final - San Diego Sockers
- San Diego Sockers Game Notes - San Diego Sockers
- Sidekicks Mexico Rout Calgary, Set Up Date With Sockers - PASL
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