San Diego Sockers Sockers V. Dallas Sidekicks Preview
December 11, 2015 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release
Carlsbad, CA - The San Diego Sockers don't have much time to revel in last night's 8-1 victory over Atletico Baja.
Instead, it's right back to work as San Diego (4-3) heads to Dallas (1-4) for a Pacific Division showdown on Saturday night.
Kick-off is set for 5:05pm PT with both a Dallas video feed and a special Sockers audio call available on Go Live Sports Cast.
With the win over Atletico Baja coming on a historic night in which Kraig Chiles surpassed Juli Veee to become the Sockers second all-time leading scorer, San Diego improved to 4-3 and is looking to extend its winning streak to three games.
While the Sockers know they can't afford to slip up now that they are back in divisional play, the confidence is rising within the camp.
One player said he feels that everyone is starting to hit their form, while the old guard and this year's newcomers are finally beginning to gel.
"We've been playing pretty well and its finally clicking for us," head coach Phil Salvagio said after the win over Atletico Baja with an eye on Saturday's match in Dallas.
In addition to Chiles' exploits, many other players are beginning to come into their own.
Matt Clare struck a hat-trick against Atletico Baja to take his goal tally to seven goals in seven games.
Anthony Madina has come storming back after a surprising two game absence ended a record of four-plus seasons without missing a match. In that time, Medina has not only asserted himself, but has meshed well with Chiles. The two players have combined for four goals over the past two games.
While nothing should be taken away from Chiles' momentous achievement, the pass that Madina played over the defense to put him into the clear for his 255 goal was perfectly weighted.
Nick Perera is also starting to look like his old self. After losing the knee brace, Perera has struck two goals and four assists in his last three games.
With the Sidekicks being the Sockers fourth opponent in four cities in the space of nine days, it is still anyones guess as to who Salvagio will put on the plane to Dallas.
The Sockers aren't the only side heading into this match full of confidence. The Sidekicks will come into the Allen Event Center on the back of their first win of the season, A thumping 6-2 victory over Tacoma on Sunday ended a four game losing streak.
Until then, three of Dallas' four losses came by razor thin margins.
The sidekicks boast Major Arena Soccer League Team of the Week forward Cameron Brown. The former UNC Tarheel had four goals and two assists in the split with Tacoma.
Goalkeeper Juan Gamboa also made honorable mention.
Dallas isn't San Diego's favorite place. It is the sight where its historic 48 game winning streak came to an end on January 27th, 2013. A win and a continued charge up the Pacific Division table would be the perfect tonic, however, to banish the demons of old while working to continue the tradition of creating new memories for the Sockers' faithful to revel in.
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from December 11, 2015
- Comets Defeat the Tacoma Stars at Home and Start a New Winning Streak - Kansas City Comets
- Stars Drop Road Match With Comets, 12-5 - Tacoma Stars
- Silver Knights Suffer First Home Loss this Season - Syracuse Silver Knights
- Blast Defeat Silver Knights 5-2 - Baltimore Blast
- Game Preview: Dallas Sidekicks Host Long-Time Rival San Diego Sockers Saturday Night - Dallas Sidekicks
- San Diego Sockers Sockers V. Dallas Sidekicks Preview - San Diego Sockers
- San Diego Sockers Score Historic Night as Chiles Surpasses Juli Veee - San Diego Sockers
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