San Diego Sockers Weekend Preview and Game Notes
December 2, 2015 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release
Carlsbad, CA - The San Diego Sockers are set to embark on a whirlwind tour of the mid-atlantic with two matches in the space of 19 hours.
The Sockers will face off against the Baltimore Blast on Friday Night at 7:35pm ET and then head to Harrisburg to face the Heat on Saturday at 2:05pm ET.
The trip is the beginning of a dizzying spell of four matches in four different cities over a nine-day stretch. After Baltimore and Harrisburg the Sockers will say a quick hi to its fans on December 10th against Atletico Baja before jetting off to Dallas for a Pacific Division match-up with the Sidekicks.
"Preparation for most of the guys started the day after the game against Ontario," forward Matt Clare said in a phone interview. "We have a good group of experienced players who understand the circumstances. A lot of us experienced it with the World Cup [2015 World Minifootball Federation World Cup] with six games in seven days in four different cities."
"The next nine days is massive for us," Clare continued. "Not only in terms of playing, but then getting our bodies ready for the next match. We spent a lot of time focusing on Baltimore this week. It's going to be a battle of two great whites and it will come down to who's hungrier on the evening."
San Diego heads across country on the back of a tremendous 8-7 come-from-behind shootout victory at Ontario. Heading into the final quarter, the Sockers trailed 6-3, but fired off the next four goals to take the lead before conceding late on against the extra attacker.
Chris Toth was the hero in the shootout, not allowing any goals while Clare and Kraig Chiles supplied the goals.
The win snapped a two-game losing streak and the Sockers will look to build on that momentum heading to the East coast.
Head coach Phil Salvagio admits it was an important win, but maintains that the mood in the camp has always been the same.
"Winning any game is pretty big." Salvagio remarked. "Especially this year considering our schedule. The win hasn't changed anything though. Training has always been competitive and I have 22 talented guys on the active roster who are fighting for a spot every single practice."
With so many games coming up in such a short span, Salvagio has let his players know that every single one of them must be ready to step in at any moment.
The Kraig Chiles watch continues. After being held scoreless (but dishing out two crucial assists) against Ontario, Chiles remains five goals away from breaking Juli Veee's record for most goals in a Sockers Jersey.
Meanwhile, Evan McNeley will most likely return to the line-up after missing the Ontario match through injury.
The Baltimore Blast is one of just two undefeated teams left in the Major Arena Soccer League (the other being Missouri) and is first place in the Eastern Division after four games. The Blast have scored 33 goals while conceding just 14, including a shutout over Syracuse.
Baltimore's vaunted defense is lead by reigning MASL Goalkeeper of the Year, William Vanzela and Defender of the Year, Pat Healy, who already has seven blocks this season.
Vini Dantas leads the Blast in points with seven goals and two assists while Andrew Hoxie also has seven goals.
At the time of writing, The Harrisburg Heat sits in last place in the Eastern Division and is one of just four teams who have yet to record a win this season.
The Heat has scored just 10 goals in its first three matches and will be looking to rebound from its 9-2 loss to the Blast last Saturday.
The capital club is led by Val Teixeira who has one goal and three assists and Chris Hall who has three goals.
Both matches can be seen on the home team feeds on Go Live Sports Cast. A Sockers audio call of both matches can also be found on Go Live Sports Cast as well.
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from December 2, 2015
- San Diego Sockers Weekend Preview and Game Notes - San Diego Sockers
- Vanzela, Houapeu, and Hoxie Team of the Week Honorable Mention - Baltimore Blast
- Syracuse Silver Knight Named to MASL Team of the Week - Syracuse Silver Knights
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