San Diego Sockers Match Preview vs. Rio Grande Valley
February 23, 2018 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release
SAN DIEGO - The Pacific Division Champion San Diego Sockers (16-3) will host the Rio Grande Valley Barracudas on Saturday, February 24, 7:05 p.m., at Valley View Casino Center for $2 Bud Light & College Night. The first 2,000 Supporters will receive a FREE pair of Sockers Sunglasses. Gates open at 6:00 p.m. and we always offer FREE parking.
The Barracudas, who have had a tough season, will arrive in San Diego after playing in Turlock on Friday night. Despite being 3-17, RGV has been competitive in a majority of their games. Midfielder Moises is the team's leading scorer with 30 points (17 G, 13 A). Supporting Gonzalez in the offensive zone are midfielders Fernando Moreno (24 points) and Antonio Manfut (23).Goalkeepers Fidel Garcia (9.62 GAA)and Antonio Preneda (9.93 GAA) have split time this season.
San Diego must not look past the Barracudas as they prepare for the playoffs. Last weekend, they were business-like in their sweep of the Florida Tropics in very tight games, something that will help the team get ready for the postseason. The Sockers will have two games remaining against Ontario (March 1) and El Paso (March 3) to conclude the season.
Captain Kraig Chiles' 42 points on 32 goals and ten assists lead the Sockers potent offense. He is first in the league with seven game-winning goals. In addition to Chiles, the midfield trio of Luan Oliveira (28), Erick Tovar (26) and Brandon Escoto (24) have also been productive. San Diego has had a balanced scoring attack this season with six players having 15 or more points.
The top goalkeeping tandem in the MASL of Boris Pardo and Chris Toth have had MVP seasons. Pardo is ranked first in GAA at 3.66, and trailing just behind in second place is Toth at 3.96. In save percentage, the pair is ranked #2 and #3. Toth is second with a .748% and Pardo with a .742. The duo's efforts this year, recall the legendary goalkeeper combinations in Sockers history including Gross and Mayer in the early 80s, Gorsek and Toth in the mid- to- late 80s, and Nogueira and Toth in the 90s.
San Diego's +61 goal differential is second best in the league behind Monterrey's +71. The Sockers are one of three teams to be undefeated at home, along with Monterrey (10-0) and Baltimore (9-0). The special teams have been successful, especially the penalty-killing unit at a league-best rate of 79%. The power play has slipped lately but is still at 48%.
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from February 23, 2018
- Barracudas lose at Turlock - Rio Grande Valley Barracudas FC
- Wave Falls to Blast in Final Game of Three-Game Series; Faces Syracuse Sunday Afternoon - Milwaukee Wave
- Tropics Head to Baltimore with Slim Playoff Hopes Still Alive After 12-9 Win vs. Heat - Florida Tropics SC
- Blast Defeat Milwaukee 9-6 - Baltimore Blast
- San Diego Sockers Match Preview vs. Rio Grande Valley - San Diego Sockers
- Kansas City Comets Head on Southwest Tour - Kansas City Comets
- Syracuse Looks to Clinch Playoff Spot with Matches against Harrisburg and Milwaukee - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Florida Tropics SC Start Final Road Trips of Season with Stop in Harrisburg, Baltimore - Florida Tropics SC
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