Sports stats



MASL San Diego Sockers

San Diego Sockers Match Notes - San Diego vs. Turlock

December 18, 2017 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release


GAME MATCH NOTES HEAD-TO-HEAD Season: 0-0 Streak: Won 1 Last Regular Season Match: 12/9/17, @SD 9 - TUR 3

LAST MATCH SOCKERS: 12/3, W v Sonora, 8-5 EXPRESSS: 12/15, L v RGV, 8-6

GOALS FOR - AVG SOCKERS: 43 - 7.16 EXPRESS: 53 - 6.62

GOALS AGAINST - AVG SOCKERS: 21- 3.50 EXPRESS: 63 - 7.87

LEADING SCORER SOCKERS: Kraig Chiles, 13 G, 4 A, 17 PTS EXPRESS: Ivan Campos, 16 G, 6 A, 22 PTS

|LEADING GOALKEEPER SOCKERS: Toth, 3-0, 3.33; Pardo, 3-0, 3.67 EXPRESS: Edgar Martinez, 2-3,

Match #7 Home #5 6-0, 1st, Pacific 4-0 Home 2-0 Road Streak: Won 6 Form: WWWWW Match #9 Road # 5 2-6, 4th, Pacific 1-3 Home 1-3 Road Streak: Lost1 Form: LLWWL MATCH PREVIEW

The 14-time champion San Diego Sockers play host to the Turlock Express. The Sockers can extend their season-opening win streak to seven with a victory over the Express.

Despite their record, Turlock always plays San Diego tough. Forward Ivan Campos leads the Express with 22 points on 16 goals and six assists. Martyn Arista and Arturo Pulido are the dynamic midfielders that support the Express offensive attack. Goalkeeper Edgar Martinez has played in five games and has a 2-3 mark with a 7.73 GAA.

Turlock is 2-2 in December after coming off an 8-6 loss against Rio Grande Valley at home on Friday. This is the first of three in a row against Tur- lock. The Sockers will meet the Express to kick off the new year on January 5 in Turlock and then at home on January 7.

Forward Kraig Chiles tops the team in scoring with his 13 goals and four assists for 17 points. The Sockers have promoted three players from the Sockers 2 team to the roster for Sunday's contest. Forward Andy Lorei, midfielder Chad Hagerty and defender Mike Mercuriali. Lorei leads the Sockers 2 with seven goals in his rookie season. The Sockers have the best goalkeeping tandem in the league with Chris Toth and Boris Pardo. TURLOCK EXPRESS (2-6) vs. SOCKERS (6-0) MASL Match #65 Sunday, December 17, 5:05pm Valley View Casino Center, San Diego

Watch: MASL.TV Follow: @SanDiegoSockers Theme: Star Wars Night Giveaway: 2,000 Lightsaber Bam-Bam Sticks

Sockers Communications Contact: Jon Greene JGreene@SDSockers.com I 619-871-3186

MEDIA GUIDELINES Welcome to today's Sockers match. Pregame Meal Access: 3:30-5:00 Post Game Mix Zone: 10 minutes after the game WIFI ACCESS: Gulls Press Password - VVCC-GULLS-1232

SOCKERS SHORTS

Getting To Know You, Getting To Know... This is the first of three straight matches between San Diego and Turlock. After the new year, .the Sockers will travel to Turlock on January 3 and then host the Express on January 5

Sockers Promote Three From Sockers 2 The Sockers have promoted three players from the Sockers 2 team to the roster for Sunday's contest. Forward Andy Lorei, midfielder Chad Hagerty and defender Mike Mercuriali.

Chiles Named Hall of Champs Pro POTM Captain Kraig Chiles was honored by the San Die- go Hall of Champions as the Pro Player of the Month. He is in familiar territory as he leads the team in scoring with 17 points on 13 goals and 4 assists. Chiles also leads the team and league with 5 GWG. He is second in the league with 5 PPG.

Goalkeeping Tandem Is Strong The duo of Boris Pardo (3-0) and Chris Toth (3-0) have backstopped the team to a 6-0 mark with a combined 3.50 GAA. Toth leads the MASL with a 3.33 GAA, while Pardo is second with a GAA of 3.67. The duo rank 1-2 in save percentage, as Toth has a .804 save% and Pardo is at .771.

Bad Boy, Bad Boy Matt Clare's 14 penalty minutes leads the MASL.

Sockers 2 Off To A Good Start The Sockers 2 are off to a 2-0 start in the MASL 2 league. They have beaten the Ontario Fury twice and were seeking their third win today against Ar- izona at Valley View Casino Center. S2 leads the -team Western Conference in the 10-team league.

Schedule Change For Two Sockers Games The team's scheduled Sunday, Feb. 24 home game vsw. Rio Grande Valley has been moved to Thurs., Feb. 22, 7:35 p.m. The other change will have the Sockers traveling to play the Ontario on Thurs., March 1, 7:05 p.m., instead of Dec. 22. MANAGEMENT Sean Bowers, GM, 2nd Year Chiky Luna, Player Personnel Dir.,3rd

COACHING STAFF Phil Salvagio, Head Coach, 9th Year

Phil was drafted to play pro soccer in California in 1993. After two years as the San Diego Sockers' goalie, Phil turned in his jersey for a suit and started his career in the insurance in- dustry in 1997. When colleagues and friends David Pike and Carl Savoia purchased the Sockers in August of 2008, Salvagio was named Sockers head coach. In five seasons Phil guided the Sockers to a 72-10 PASL regular season record and four consecutive champion- ships from 2009-13, earning Coach of the Year honors in 2010-11 and 2011-12.

Ray Talia, Assistant Coach, 7th year After college, Taila became a professional soc- cer player for the Futbol Rapido League in Puebla, Mexico, winning a championship in 1994. He then moved to San Diego, where Ray played two seasons for the CISL version of the San Diego Sockers. Taila returned to his alma mater of United States International University from 1995 to 1998 as head coach of the men's and women's soccer teams.

Rene Ortiz, Assistant Coach, 1st Year Rene returns to the Sockers as an assistant coach. Ortiz won three consecutive MISL titles with San Diego. He continued his career by playing four years with the NPSL's Milwaukee Wave. He returned to San Diego to play three more years with the team in the CISL. He fin- ished his career indoors in 2000 after playing for five more teams in various leagues.

Victor Melendez, GK Coach, 1st Year The 2017-18 season will be Victor's first year as the Sockers goalkeeper coach. He brings a wealth of playing and coaching experience including holding a USSF "A" Coaches License.

Zoltan Toth, GK Consultant, 1st Year Toth a Sockers legend joins the team as an consultant. A member pof the Sockers since 1984, he played in the NASL and MISL. He re- mained with the Sockers through the 1989- 1990 season. He was selected as the MISL

SOCKERS BY THE NUMBERS Goals For Avg: 7.20 Goals Against Avg: 3.50 Goal Differential: +22 PIM Avg: 4 Power Play: 53% Penalty Kill: 89%

RECORD BY DAYS OF THE WEEK: Thurs 1-0, Fri 1-0, Sat 0-0, Sun 4-0

RECORD WHEN SCORING: 0 Goals: Scoring 0-0, Allowing 1-0 1 Goal: Scoring 0-0, Allowing 0-0 2 Goals: Scoring 0-0, Allowing 0-0 3 Goals: Scoring 0-0, Allowing 2-0 4 Goals: Scoring 1-0, Allowing 0-0 5 Goals: Scoring 0-0, Allowing 3-0 6 Goals: Scoring 1-0, Allowing 0-0 7 Goals: Scoring 0-0, Allowing 0-0 8 or more: Scoring 4-0, Allowing 0-0

MISCELLANEOUS RECORDS: PP Goal: Scoring 5-0, Not Scoring 1-0 PP Goal: Not Allowed 4-0, Allowed 1-0 SH Goal: Scoring 1-0, Not Scoring 4-0 SH Goal: Not Allowed 5-0, Allowing 0-0 Scoring: First 3-0, Opponent First 3-0 Back-to-Back: 1st Game 0-0, 2nd 0-0 Leading After: 1st 4-0, Half 5-0, 3rd 6-0 Tied After: 1st 1-0, Half 1-0, 3rd 0-0 Trailing After: 1st 0-0, Half 0-0, 3rd 0-0 Shots: Outshoot Opp 4-0, Being Outshot 2-0 Uniforms: White 2-0, Blue 4-0, Black 0-0

TEAM HIGH/LOWS: Goals-Game: Sockers Opp High: 9, @EP, 11/2 5, Three, 11/5 Low: 4, @TAC, 12/1 0, vONT 11/19

Goals-Half: Sockers Opp High: 6, vONT, 11/19 3, (3), 12/3 Low: 2, @TAC 12/1 0, vONT, 11/19 Shots-Game: Sockers Opp High: 40, vTAC, 11/12 33, @EP, 11/2 Low: 15, @TAC, 12/1 17, @vTAC, 12/1

Shots-Half: Sockers Opp High: 22, @EP, 11/2 22, @EP, 11/2 Low: 6, @TAC, 12/1 4, @TAC, 12/1

Saves-Game: Sockers Opp High: 18, @EP, 11/2 24, @EP, 11/2 Low: 9. vSYR, 11/5 9, @TAC, 12/1 PIM-Game: Sockers Opp High: 8, @EP, 11/2 16, vSYR, 11/5 Low: 2, vSON, 12/3 4 vSON, 12/3 SOC KERS MASL SCHEDULE/RESULTS November 2, 6:35 pm @ El Paso W, 9-5 November 5, 5:05 pm v. Syracuse W, 6-5 November 12, 5:05 pm v. Tacoma W, 8-3 November 19, 5:05 pm v. Ontario W, 8-0 December 1, 7:35 pm @ Tacoma W, 4-3 December 3, 5:05 pm v. Sonora W, 8-5 December 17, 5:05 pm v Turlock January 5, 7:05 pm @ Turlock January 7, 5:05 pm v. Turlock January 12, 7:35 pm v. Tacoma January 18, 7:05 pm @ Ontario January 20, 7:05 pm @ Sonora January 21, 5:05 pm v. Ontario January 26, 7:05 pm @ Turlock January 28, 5:05 pm @ Monterrey February 9, 7:35 pm @ Tacoma February 11, 5:05 pm v. Sonora February 16, 4:35 pm @ Florida February 17, 4:05 pm @ Florida February 22, 7:35 pm v. RG Valley March 1, 7:35 pm @ Ontario March 3, 7:05 pm v. El Paso All times PT

SCHEDULE BREAKDOWN DAYS OF THE WEEK: Thurs 4, Friday 8, Saturday 2, Sunday 8 MONTHS: Nov 4, Dec 4, Jan 8, Feb 5, Mar1 TIME ZONES: Pacific 17, Mtn 3, Eastern 2 BACK-TO-BACKS: 2, Jan 20-21 & Feb 16-17 INDIVIDUAL BY THE NUMBERS

LEADERS: Points: Chiles, 17 (7th in MASL) Goals: Chiles, 13 (5th) Assists: Clare, 5 Blocks: Cerda, 4 PtsPerGame %: Chiles, .283 (3rd) Shot %: Ruiz, .600 PP Goals: Chiles, 5 (1st) SHG Goals: Gonzalez, 1 (2nd) GWG Goals Chiles, 5 (1st) GK Wins: Pardo & Toth, 3 GK Losses: None GK Saves: Pardo, 42 GK Save %: Toth, .804 (1st) GK GAA: Toth, 3.33 Shutouts: Toth, 1 (1st) PIM: Clare, 14 (1st) Star Points: Toth, 70

INDVIDUAL HIGH/LOWS: Goals-Game: Sockers Opp High: 4, Chiles, vTAC, 11/12 2, Two Tied, vSYR, 11/5

Goals-Half: Sockers Opp High: 3, Clare, (2nd), vONT, 11/19 2, Tapia, @ELP, 11/5

Assists-Game: Sockers Opp High: 2, Chiles, Clare & Ortega 1, Many Players

Saves-Game: Sockers Opp High: 18, Pardo, @ELP, 11/2 24, Molina, @ELP, 11/2 Low: 9. Pardo, vSYR, 11/5 17, Coughlin, vSYR, 11/5

Saves %-Game: Sockers Opp High: 1,000, Toth, vONT, 11/19 .733, Coughlin. vSYR, 11/5

PIM-Game: Sockers Opp High: 7, Clare, @EP, 11/2 7, Gonzalez, vONT, 11/19

PPG-Game: Sockers

Opp High: 1, 3 tied, vSON, 12/9 1, Travernese, vSYR, 11/5

SHG-Game: Sockers Opp High: 1, Gonzalez, vTAC, 11/12 None

STARS & HONORS Player, #, last time

1st STAR: Toth, 2, vSON, 12/3 Chiles, 1, vTAC, 11/12 Clare, 1, vSYR, 11/5

2nd STAR: Pardo, 2, vTAC, 11/12 Chiles, 1, vSYR, 11/5 Tovar, 1, vSON, 12/3

3rd STAR: Clare, 1, vSON, 12/3 Gonzalez, 1, vTAC, 11/12 Toth, 1, vSYR, 11/15

TEAM OF THE WEEK: Clare, 2, Week 4, 11/21 Chiles, 1, Week 3, 11/14 Pardo, 1, Week 3, 11/14 Toth, 1, Week 4, 11/21

TOTW HONORABLE MENTION: Cerda 1, Week 2, 11/7 Chiles, 1 Week 2, 11/7 Gonzalez, 1, Week 3, 11/14 Escoto,1, Week 2, 11/7 Toth, 1, Week 2, 11/7

MASL PLAYER OF THE WEEK: Toth, 1, Week 4, 11/24 _____________________________________ _____________________________________

THE LAST TIME IT HAPPENED: 4 GOAL GM: 11/12/17, Chiles, vTAC 3 GOAL GM: 11/19/17, Clare, vONT SH GOAL: 11/12/17, Gonzalez, vTAC 3 ASST GM: None in 2017/18 20 SAVE GM: None in 2017/18 SHUTOUT: 11/19/17, Toth, vONT GK ASST: 11/5/17, Toth, vSYR

SAN DIEGO SOCKERS NUMERICAL ROSTER

# Name Pos Height Weight Birthdate Home Town Pronunciation 2 Juan Topete D 5' 11" 180 lbs Aug. 24, 1989 Escondido, CA Toe-pet-eh 3 Ray Contreras D 6' 0" 171 lbs Nov. 6, 1988 Sonora, Mexico 4 Max Touloute F 5' 10" 167 lbs April 27, 1990 Les Cayes, Haiti Toe-Lou-Te 5 Anthony Medina M 6' 1" 185 lbs Feb. 25, 1979 El Cajon, CA 6 Felipe Gonzalez M 5' 10" 165 lbs Nov. 9, 1989 San Jose, CA 7 Brian Farber M 5' 8" 165 lbs April 15, 1982 Sandpoint, ID 8 Ze Roberto D 5' 7" 153 lbs July 13, 1978 Brazil 9 Cesar Cerda D 5' 10" 155 lbs April 14, 1993 Saltillo, MX 11 Luan Oliveira M 5' 7" 145 lbs Jan. 18, 1991 Sergipe, Brazil Oli-vay-rah 13 Eli Galbraith-Knapp D 5' 10" 170 lbs Oct. 12, 1991 San Diego, CA 16 Eddie Velez D 5' 9" 147 lbs Oct. 13, 1981 Tijuana, MX 17 Raymundo Reza M 5; 10' 175 lbs May 5, 1989 Denver, CO 18 Andrew Lorei F 6' 3" 190 lbs March 25, 1989 Erie, PA Lor-eh 19 Brandon Escoto M 5' 4" 144 lbs Jan. 22, 1994 Tijuana, MX Es-ko-to 20 John Sosa

D 5' 9" 175 lbs Oct. 22, 1988 Medellin, Colombia 23 Mike Mercuriali D 6' 3" 190 lbs July 28, 1983 Poway, CA Merk-u-ree-al-ee 27 Boris Pardo G 6' 0" 190 lbs March 22, 1984 Queens, NY Par-doh 31 Chris Toth G 6' 1" 170 lbs Aug. 4, 1989 Fallbrook, CA Toe-th 32 Jeff Hughes M 6' 1" 185 lbs Aug. 20, 1984 Covington, KY 34 Edgar Aguilar M 5' 9" 165 lbs March 10, 1991 Oceanside, CA 37 Kraig Chiles F 5' 11" 185 lbs May 14, 1984 Poway, CA 51 Erick Tovar M 5' 10" 178 lbs Nov. 19, 1990 Monterrey, Mexico 63 Hiram "Pollo" Ruiz M 5' 8: 159 lbs April 16, 1988 Sonora, Mexico Here-am Roo-ez 69 Luis Ortega D 5' 6" 140 lbs Feb. 4, 1992 West Chicago, IL 87 Chad Hagerty M 5' 9" 175 lbs Oct 20, 1986 Louisville, KY Hag-er-tee 99 Matt Clare M 6' 1" 170 lbs May 5, 1988 Fort Lauderdale, FL

SAN DIEGO SOCKERS TEAM STATISTICS

TURLOCK EXPRESS ROSTER

TURLOCK EXPRESS TEAM STATISTICS

MASL STANDINGS

MASL LEADERS

Matt Clare #99 M/F Free Agent Signing, 2016

6' 1" 170 lbs May 5, 1988 Fort Lauderdale, FL

Last Team: Wichita (PASL) College: N/A

Matt re-signed with the Sockers for the 2016-2017 season. A proven goal scorer, Matt ended last year with 19 goals and 18 assists. Clare received a 2015-2016 MASL Honorable Mention for his inaugural season performance with the Sockers. Before joining the Sockers, the Tampa, Florida native scored 58 goals with 79 points in 32 games for the Wichita B52s from 2013-15. Clare also gained experience in the MISL with the Syracuse Silver Knights in 2012 and Wichita Wings in 2012.

He is currently a member of the U.S. National Arena Soccer Team and was the leading goal scorer for 2016 expansion NPSL team Albion SC Pros. When not playing professionally, Clare coaches for Next Level Footballers Academy and Cardiff Mustangs. Matt, 28, is the son of former professional soccer player John Clare, who played for the Fort Lauderdale Strikers in the American Professional Soccer League in the 1990s.

Raymundo Contreras #3 D Acquired From Sonora, 2017

6' 0" 171 lbs Nov 6, 1988 Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico Last Team: Sonora (MASL) College: N/A

Tough defender Raymundo Contreras brings his skills to the Sockers for the 2017-18 season. Last year, he played for the MASL Soles de Sonora. Prior to playing indoors, he was a member of the Third Division Búhos de Hermosillo (2004-2005). Santos Branch of Brazil, based in Phoenix, USA (2006-2007). Liga de Ascenso: Dorados de Sinaloa (2008-2010) and Xolos de Tijuana (2010). Second Division: Búhos de Hermosillo (2011). First Division: Querétaro. Socker fans can expect to see Raymundo fortify the club's backline.

Brandon Escoto #19 M Free Agent Signing, 2016

5' 4" 144 lbs

Jan 22, 1994 Tijuana, MX Last Team: Atletico Baja (MASL) College: N/A

Brandon Escoto was one of the most anticipated signings before last season. The talented left- footer joins the Sockers after spending his rookie season with Atletico Baja where he scored 26 goals and notched 11 assists. Escoto was a constant threat going forward as he scored 12 goals and had eight assists. Watch out for him to stun defenders and electrify the crowd with his left-footed magic this season.

Edgar Aguilar #34 M Free Agent Signing, 2014

5'9" 165 lbs Oceanside, CA Last Team: N/A College: Palomar Jr. College

Aguilar is signed to the Sockers Reserves this season with an opportunity to play for the first team when called upon. A graduate of the Sockers Open Tryouts in 2014, he worked his way into the Sockers' starting lineup for a pair of games in 2014-15, recording both his first career professional goal and assist against the Sacramento Surge. Last season, he played in only one game. Aguilar played two seasons at Palomar Community College, winning a division title both years. Edgar played at the club level with San Diego Surf and was a Top-50 ranked recruit coming out of high school.

Cesar Cerda #9 D Free Agent Signing, 2016

5' 10" 155 lbs Apr 14, 1993 Saltillo, MX Last Team: Las Vegas (MASL) College: N/A

Cerda, a five-year pro, came to the San Diego Sockers from rival Las Vegas Legend in 2016. Last season, he accounted for four goals and seven helpers to the Sockers attack. The midfielder looks forward to increas- ing his stat totals in his second year with the club. Before joining the MASL, Cerda was a member of Texas Oxford City and the leading goal scorer for Saltillo Rancho Seco three seasons ago.

Kraig Chiles #37 F Captain Free Agent Signing, 2010

5' 11" 185 lbs May 14, 1984 Poway, CA Last Team: N/A College: SDSU

One of the most dominant scorers in this era of indoor soccer, Kraig Chiles enters the 2017-18 season as the Sockers all-time leading goal scorer. A first-team all-MASL selection in 2016-17, Chiles finished with 39 goals (#4th in the MASL), 12 assists for 51 points (4th ). It was Chiles' sixth consecutive season of 35+ goals. In his eight-year career, Chiles has 320 goals and 454 points between the PASL and MASL, the highest totals for any active player. Last season, he surpassed Sockers legend Branko Segota (298) as the all-time goal scoring leader. In 2012-13 Chiles set new PASL records for goals (56) and points (72). Kraig is the starting forward for the U.S. Futsal National Team and star forward of the Team USA Indoor team. A San Diego native, the Poway High, and San Diego State University graduate started 59 straight games at SDSU and tallied 22 goals in three seasons from 2006-2008. He was drafted out of college by Chivas USA of MLS, playing one season with Chivas. Kraig, 33, and his wife Stacy have twin boys Brady & Austin and daughter Peyton. Kraig is currently the Director of Coaching for the Cardiff Mustangs, located in Cardiff by the Sea.

SOCKERS ALL-TIME LEADING SCORER 5-TIME LEAGUE MVP-PLAYER OF THE YEAR Brian Farber #7 M Free Agent Signing, 2009

5' 8" 165 lbs Apr 15, 1982 Sandpoint, ID Last Team: Stockton (PASL) College: Oregon State University

One of the dominant midfielders in the sport of indoor soccer over the past decade. The for- mer League MVP is second only to Kraig Chiles all-time in MASL goals (140) and points (235).

Brian was a back-to-back all-PASL first-team player in 2011-12 and 2012-13. Farber was the PASL MVP in 2008-09 with the Stockton Cougars and looks to return to his dominant MVP- caliber form in 2016-2017. Brian, 34, and wife Kristy have a four-year-old daughter, Arie. Brian is currently coaching for Next Level Footballers Academy.

Eli Galbraith-Knapp #13 D Free Agent Signing, 2016

5' 10" 170 lbs Oct 12, 1991 San Diego, CA Last Team: Atletico Baja (MASL) College: University of San Diego

A local collegiate standout, Eli Galbraith-Knapp returns for his second season with the Sockers.

Prior to joining the team, he played for the Baltimore Blast and Tijuana-based Atletico Baja.

Three seasons ago, Eli played for the Sockers reserve team. He has also played for USL team Tulsa Roughnecks, scoring 19 minutes into his debut and 2016 NPSL expansion team North County Battalion. Born and raised in San Diego, Galbraith-Knapp played club soccer at San Diego Nomads and collegiately for the University of San Diego. After college he spent time in Valencia, Spain, training with UD Alzira in Tricera Division.

Felipe Gonzalez #6 M Free Agent Signing, 2016

5' 10" 165 lbs Nov 9, 1989 San Jose, CA Last Team: Las Vegas (MASL) College: N/A

A highly regarded player in the MASL, Gonzalez joined the Sockers for the 2016-17 season from the Las Vegas Legends. A proven goal scorer despite playing defender, Gonzalez has rec- orded 19+ goals in four of the past five seasons. Last year, he played in all 20 games, compiling 13 points on four goals and nine assists. The San Jose native added strength and experience to the Sockers backline while proving a threat on the offensive side of the ball. 2009 LEAGUE MVP/PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Austin Guerrero #30 G Free Agent Signing, 2017

5' 10" 165 lbs

Nov 9, 1989 San Jose, CA Last Team: Pueblo FC College: University of Portland

Signed by the team on October 20, 2017. This is his first indoor season.

Jeff Hughes #32 M/Sockers 2 Head Coach FA Signing 2012

6' 1" 185 lbs

Aug 20, 1984 Covington, KY Last Team: Cincinnati (PASL) College: University of Cincinnati

Entering his fifth year with the Sockers, veteran midfielder Jeff Hughes is seeking his first title in San Diego. He was also named the head coach of the Sockers 2 Development Team on October 20, 2017. The former league MVP played in eight games last year and scored two goals. Hughes' best season as a Socker was in 2014 when he tallied 15 goals, 15 assists [30 points] and 12 blocked shots, all Sockers-career bests. Hughes was the 2009-2010 PASL MVP with the Cincinnati PASL franchise, leading the league in goals (37) and points (53). Hughes played in the MISL with Syracuse in 2011-12. Born in Covington, Kentucky, Hughes started at the University of Cincinnati before play- ing professionally in Germany with Second Bundesliga club TSV 1860 Munchen in 2004. Jeff, 33, lives in San Diego with his wife Marybeth, daughter Lexington and their dog "Toast."

2012 LEAGUE MVP-PLAYER OF THE YEAR

Andrew Lorei #18 F Free Agent Signing, 2017

6'3" 190 lbs March 25, 1989 Erie, PA Last Team: Ingress Tigers (Malaysia) College: Gannon University

The Sockers signed Andrew Lorei, the biggest talent from the 2017 MASL Player Combine, during the offseason. Although a relative newcomer to the professional indoor circuit, Lorei possesses all the tools needed to be an impactful player for the 2017-18 Major Arena Soccer League season. He comes to the Sockers most recently from Ingress Tigers (Malaysia). Lorei has vast USL outdoor league experience, having played at the Rochester Rhinos, Real Maryland Monarchs, Minneapolis City SC and Tulsa Roughnecks. In addition, Lorei represented the Minnesota Stars - NASL (now Minnesota United - MLS) from 2011-2012, which secured him a spot with Swedish based Boden BK where he scored 21 goals in 41 games for the 2nd division side. He played on season of college soccer at NCAA Division II Gannon University. Anthony Medina #5 D

6'1" 185 lbs

Feb 25, 1979 El Cajon, CA Last Team: N/A College: University of San Francisco

One of the original members of the Sockers revival in 2008, veteran attacking midfielder, An- thony Medina begins his ninth campaign with the Sockers in pursuit of his fifth championship.

The ironman of the Sockers' roster, he played in 19 games last season notching seven goals and one assist. Medina played in 23 games in 2015-16, netting 11 goals with 7 assists (18 points). Medina was the only Sockers player to appear in all 48 games of the team's U.S. pro- fessional team sports record-winning streak. For his MASL/PASL, career Anthony has played in 120 games, recording 85 goals and 55 assists (140 points). A graduate of Valhalla High and the University of San Francisco, Medina was an all-WCC selection as well as team MVP at USF, and a member of the All-WCC Academic Team. Anthony, 38, is a licensed real estate agent and a youth volunteer at the YMCA.

Mike Mercuriali #23 D Free Agent Signing, 2016

6'3" 190 lbs July 28, 1993 San Diego, CA Last Team: N/A College: San Diego State University Mercuriali returns for his second consecutive season with the Sockers, after spending one season away in 2015. His best season was In 2014-15, when he made 10 starts in the regular season, scoring a career-best three goals while adding one assist for a career-high four point campaign. The San Diego native excelled in his prep career as a four-time team MVP at Horizon High, and went on to be a four-year letter winner with the San Diego State University men's soccer team. Mercuriali graduated from SDSU in 2006 with a degree in criminal justice.

He works as a lead sales rep for Prime Sports, and lives with his wife Melissa in Eastlake.

Luan Oliveira #11 M Free Agent Signing, 2015

5' 7" 145 lbs

Jan 18, 1991 Aracaju/Sergipe, Brazil Last Team: Ontario (MASL) College: N/A

A professional since 17 years old in his native Brazil, Luan Oliveira returns for his third season with the team. The Brazilian was a solid contributor again for the Sockers, registering 13 goals and nine assists in 20 games played. He started to play as a pro in 2005 for Associação Des- portiva UNIT. From there, he continued his young futsal career with Largarto FC where Mil- waukee Wave identified him in 2011. In 2012, Oliveira moved to Milwaukee and was the 2012/13 MISL Rookie of the Year and MISL All-Star Second Team. He also spent part of a sea- son with the Ontario Fury. The left-footer wants to continue being a central member of the Sockers for years to come. Luan lives in San Diego with his wife, Marcelle. Luis "PeeWee" Ortega #69 D Acquired From Chi, 2017

5' 6" 140 lbs

Feb 4, 1992 West Chicago, IL Last Team: Chicago (MASL) College: Palomar Jr. College

Luis joins the Sockers for the 2017-18 campaign after having a solid PASL and MASL career with the Rockford Rampage and Chicago Mustangs. He brings a six-year career total of 43 goals and 49 assists to aid in the Sockers attack. Last season, he notched three goals and had 10 assists in 16 games. The Chicago native began his career in 2012 with the PASL Chicago Mustangs.

Boris Pardo #27 G Acquired From KC, 2016 6' 0" 190 lbs 2 - 2nd Star, 11/12 vTAC Mar 22, 1984 Queens, NY TOTW, Week 3, November 14 Last Team: Kansas City (MASL) College: Seton Hall University

The Hillside, New Jersey native joined the Sockers for the 2016-17 campaign, after spending three seasons with the Kansas City Comets. In 2015, Pardo finished as runner-up for MASL Goalkeeper of the Year and first in the league in wins (16). On February 26, 2012, Pardo earned his first ever win for Missouri with a 21-6 victory over the Milwaukee Wave. Since then, Pardo has gone on to be one of indoor soccer's most dependable goalkeepers. During his collegiate career, Pardo set a Seton Hall University record for most career shutouts and was named 2006 Big East Goalkeeper of the Year and second-team All-Region by adidas be- fore spending 2007 as an MLS pool goalkeeper and getting called up by Toronto FC and FC Dallas. In 2008 he was the backup goalie for the Kansas City Wizards reserve team.

Raymundo Reza #17 M

5'10" 175 lbs May 5, 1989 Denver, CO

Last Team: Albion SC Pros (NPSL) College: San Diego State University

Raymundo bounced back from an injury-plagued 2015-2016 season to play in 19 games last season compiling 10 points on six goals and four assists. Reza was limited to 12 games in 2015-16 season, contributing 5 goals and 2 assists. In the MASL offseason, he is a member of the Mexican National Indoor Team and played outdoor soccer with 2016 NPSL expansion team Albion SC Pros. A college star at San Diego State University, Reza started the final 55 games of his career with the Aztecs, scoring 20 goals and earning first-team All Pac-10 and second-team NSCAA All-Far West Region honors. After his senior year at SDSU, Reza was selected by the MLS Portland Timbers in the second round of the 2011 supplemental draft. A Denver, Colorado native, Reza, 28, is a competitive youth coach with Cardiff Mustangs and lives in San Diego with his wife, Julianne. Ze Roberto #8 D Free Agent Signing, 2009

5' 7" 153 lbs

Jul 13, 1978 Brazil Last Team: Harrisburg (MASL) College: N/A

The Sockers' defensive captain, Ze Roberto, returns to the club for his eighth season. A starter and captain for all of his 133 appearances with the Sockers since 2009. Roberto played in 16 games last season after missing the first four games. Ze surpassed his career point total with five assists (5 points). He was in the lineup for all 24 games in 2015-16, recording one goal and two assists as well as team-high 16 blocked shots. In his MASL career, Roberto has 25 goals and 46 assists (71 points). He was a captain of the Brazilian National Indoor Soccer Team during the WMF World Cup in 2015, helping lead Brazil to the tournament semi-finals. Roberto was a first- team all-PASL selection in 2010-2011 when he scored three goals with nine assists (12 points) in 16 games. Prior to joining San Diego, Ze was honored as one of the Top 25 players in the past decade of the USL for his time with the Montreal Impact, Hershey Wildcats and Rochester Rhinos from 2000-2010. Roberto also starred in the MISL with the Philadelphia Kixx, Detroit Ignition and Harrisburg Heat before joining the Sockers. Ze coaches for SDFA (SD Football Academy) and was honored as Coach of the Year in 2015. He travels to Europe in the summer to coach the youth teams in the Gothia Cup in Sweden. Ze, 38, has a 19-year-old son Gabriel. He and wife Heather have four children, Thais (11), Tiago (10), Tatiana (6) and Zico (4).

Hiram "Pollo" Ruiz #63 M Acquired From Sonora, 2017

5'8" 159 lbs April 16, 1988 Hermosillo, Sonora, Mexico

Last Team: Sonora (MASL) College: University of Guadalajara

The Sockers acquired Hiram Ruiz during the off season from Sonora. The midfielder tallied 32 points (23 goals, 9 assists) last season with Sonora. He played in the League of Ascent MX with Black Lions of the University of Guadalajara, with which he won the championship in 2014. He participated in the MX Cup, and with the Second Division Deportivo Los Altos and Colos de Coli- ma Sports Club.

John Sosa #20 D Acquired From Kansas City, 2017

5' 9" 175 lbs Oct., 22, 1988 Medellin, Colombia

Last Team: Kansas City (MASL) College: University of Missouri-KC

One of the most highly-regarded MASL free agents comes to the Sockers for the 2017-28 season.

During his career with the Kansas City Comets, Sosa helped the team win their first MISL Champi- onship in 2013. He was the top-scoring defender in the MASL last year with six goals and 25 as- sists in 20 games. He has made the All-MASL First Team twice in the last three years. In 2014, Sosa tallied 37 points (13 goals, 24 assists) in all 20 games. Sosa also played on the championship US Futsal National Four Nations Cup team of 2013. Before turning pro, he played at the University of Missouri-Kansas, where he was named a three-time All-Summit League selection.

2016-17 ALL-MASL FIRST TEAM 2013 MISL CHAMPION-KANSAS CITY

Juan Topete #2 D Acquired From Ontario, 2016

5' 11" 180 lbs Aug 24, 1989 Escondido, CA Last Team: Ontario College: Palomar Junior College

A San Diego native, Johnny Topete starts his second season with his hometown club, after spending two years playing for the Ontario Fury. An extremely productive player with the Fury, he played in nine games for the Sockers in 2016. Topete played in 23 games, scoring 24 goals and adding 14 assists while playing in Ontario. In the MASL offseason, Topete has played with PDL's San Diego Zest. "Johnny" is a graduate of Orange Glen High School who went on to play for Palomar College for two seasons, twice being named the PCAC Player of Year. Topete and his wife Becca live and work together at Poway Vaqueros and Orange Glen High School.

Chris Toth #31 GK Free Agent Signing, 2013 6' 1" 170 lbs 1 - 3rd Star, 11/5 v SYR Aug 4, 1989 Fallbrook, CA Last Team: N/A College: MiraCosta College

Chris continues to cement his reputation as one of the best goalkeepers in the MASL. He earned a 9-2 record in 11 starts for the Sockers, Toth had a stellar 3.66 goals against average (GAA) and a terrific .815 save percentage. His GAA was the second lowest in the league and his .815 save percentage was the best in the MASL. As the team's primary starter for the past three seasons, he continues to draw comparisons to his father and Sockers legend Zoltan Toth. Prior to 2013-14, Toth served as the Sockers' primary back- up keeper and posted a perfect 25-0 record. In 2011-2012, Chris set a PASL record for lowest goals against average (3.23). He has served the past four seasons as the starting keeper for the U.S. National Beach Soccer Team, winning Golden Gloves for best keeper during CONCACAF World Cup qualifying then competing in the World Cup in Tahiti. Chris, 27, enjoys working out, fishing, the beach and spending time with his family.

2016-17 GOALKEEPER OF THE YEAR 2016-17 ALL-MASL FIRST TEAM

Max Touloute #4 F Acquired From Kansas City, 2016

5' 10" 167 lbs

Apr 27, 1990 Les Cayes, Haiti Last Team: Kansas City (MASL) College: Purdue University-Ft. Wayne

Max joined the Sockers for the 2016 season and The "Haitian Sensation" notched 25 points with 16 goals and nine assists. Prior to coming to San Diego, he scored 25 goals with for the Kansas City Comets in 2015. In 2014, Touloute played 14 games where he recorded a total of 25 points with 17 goals and eight assists. In 2013, Touloute played in four games for the Comets where he recorded 15 points with seven goals and one assist and appeared in all six playoff matches recording two goals and one assist, which eventually helped the team win its first-ever MISL Championship. Touloute looks to continue creating moments of creativity and score plenty of goals this season.

Erick Tovar #51 M Free Agent Signing, 2016 5' 10" 178 lbs Nov. 19, 1990 Monterrey, Mexico

Last Team: Monterrey (MASL) College: N/A

Erick Tovar Reveles is bringing his expertise back to the San Diego Sockers this sea- son. A proven goal scorer with 2015 MASL Champions Monterrey Flash, Tovar has been with the Sockers since 2016. Tovar scored 13 goals and contributed six assists last season. While in Mexico, he has also played for Tigres UANL U-20 in 2009, as well as Tigres 2nd division De Mexico in 2008. Erick, 26, is from Monterrey, Mexico and lives with his girlfriend, Ivonne. His favorite nonprofit organization is the Susan G.

Komen Foundation.

Eddie Velez #16 D Free Agent Signing, 2016

5' 9" 147 lbs

Oct 13, 1981 Tijuana, MX Last Team: Tijuana (MASL) College: N/A

Veteran defender Eduardo Velez had another solid campaign for the Sockers last year. "El Vaquero" played in 10 games, scoring four goals with two assists. In seven MASL seasons between Tijuana and San Diego, Eduardo has compiled 99 goals and 90 assists (189 points) in 111 games. A former co-owner and director of operations for Revolucion Tijuana, Velez was the PASL points leader in 2010-11. A Tijuana na- tive, the 34-year-old lives in Chula Vista with his wife Griselda, their two daughters, Islah (13) and Marina (11), and son Eduardo "Lalito" (2).

WHO ARE THE SOCKERS 2 The Major Arena Soccer League 2 (M2) announced the conference alignment and sched- ule for its inaugural season. The San Diego Sock- ers will place its Sockers 2 development team in the new league, which begins on Saturday, De- cember 2. Opening Weekend continues the fol- lowing day on Sunday, December 3 as the Sock- ers 2 host the Ontario Fury II at 1:05 pm at the Sockers Indoor Center at the Valley View Casino Center.

"I am honored to be the player/coach for the new Sockers 2 team during this first season," said Hughes. "Throughout my time as a player, I have always enjoyed working with the younger players on the team as they learn the indoor game, so it only fits that I take on this new role. The reserve/ development team has always had a major im- pact on the success of the 1st team over the years. I expect that we will continue the tradition of past teams as we compete for the M2 champi- onship.

Teams are split into two conferences, with five teams in the Eastern Conference, and five in the Western Conference. The top three teams from each conference will qualify for the post-season.

The Western Conference will feature the Arizona Impact, Colorado Inferno, Las Vegas Knights, On- tario Fury II and San Diego Sockers 2.

The Eastern Conference will feature the Chicago Mustangs, Cincinnati Swerve, Colorado Blizzard, Detroit Waza and Muskegon Risers.

Each team will play six games at home and six away, with a limited amount of inter-conference play. The regular season will end on Sunday, March 4, game.

For more information, or to view the entire schedule, go to m2soccer.com. JEFF HUGHES Head Coach

Entering his fifth year with the Sockers, veteran midfielder Jeff Hughes is seeking his first title in San Diego. He was also named the head coach of the Sockers 2 Development Team on October 20, 2017.

A solid contributor to the Sockers, the for- mer league MVP played in eight games last year and scored two goals. Hughes' best season as a Socker was in 2014 when he tallied 15 goals, 15 assists [30 points] and 12 blocked shots, all Sockers-career bests. Hughes was the 2009-2010 PASL MVP with the Cincinnati PASL franchise, leading the league in goals (37) and points (53). Hughes played in the MISL with Syra- cuse in 2011-12. Born in Covington, Ken- tucky, Hughes started at the University of Cincinnati before playing professionally in Germany with Second Bundesliga club TSV 1860 Munchen in 2004. Jeff, 33, lives in San Diego with his wife Marybeth, daugh- ter Lexington and their dog "Toast."

Check out the San Diego Sockers Statistics



Major Arena Soccer League Stories from December 18, 2017


The opinions expressed in this release are those of the organization issuing it, and do not necessarily reflect the thoughts or opinions of OurSports Central or its staff.

Other Recent San Diego Sockers Stories



Sports Statistics from the Stats Crew
OurSports Central