San Diego Sockers Match Preview
December 8, 2015 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release
Carlsbad, CA - The spotlight will be on Kraig Chiles when the San Diego Sockers host Atletico Baja on Thursday night at the Valley View Casino Center with kick-off slated for 7:05pm PT.
The pride of Poway equalled Juli Veee's mark of 254 goals in a Sockers' jersey with a hat-trick in the 7-5 win over Harrisburg on Saturday. Chiles has a chance to surpass the former U.S. international with a goal against the expansion side from Tijuana and move into sole possession of second place on the Sockers all-time scoring list behind Branko Segota (298).
As part of the momentous occasion, Veee will be in attendance and will direct the ceremonial first kick towards Chiles as the torch is set to be passed from one Sockers legend to another.
"It couldn't have worked out any better," Chiles said about the possibility of surpassing Veee in front of his family and friends. "I was born and raised here and I grew up watching the Sockers. It's much more satisfying [to break Veee's mark at home]."
San Diego is coming off a grueling road trip in which the Sockers played two games in the space of 19 hours on the East coast.
The Sockers lost 8-5 in Baltimore with defensive mistakes proving to be their downfall.
They showed their resolve against Harrisburg, however, by turning around a 3-1 half-time deficit to win 7-5.
Phil Salvagio's side showed it's depth with six new players coming into the line-up for the match with Harrisburg.
The encounter with Atletico Baja is the third of four matches in four cities in nine days. With San Diego traveling to Dallas to play the Sidekicks just two days later, it's anyones guess who will feature in the line-up on Thursday evening.
Nick Perera is no longer wearing a knee brace and looked particularly sharp over the weekend with a goal and two assists over the two games.
Anthony Medina came back into the line-up against Harrisburg after missing the last two games and made an immediate impact with a goal and an assist as well.
Atletico Baja is an expansion side that currently sits in second place in the Southwest Division with a 3-3 record.
Atletico is playing its fifth of a six game road trip and is coming off a 9-4 loss to Southwest Division leaders, the Las Vegas Legends.
The Tijuana based side is led by Aldo Medina with seven goals and four assists. Daniel Villela also has 11 points with five goals and six assists.
Good seats for the match are still available by calling 1-866-799-GOAL.
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from December 8, 2015
- San Diego Sockers Match Preview - San Diego Sockers
- Chiles Set to Pass Veee, But Still Chasing Segota for All Time Scoring Record - San Diego Sockers
- San Diego Sockers Juli Veee to Do Ceremonial First Kick on Thursday - San Diego Sockers
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