Sidekicks at Harrisburg Saturday

Published on October 30, 2002 under Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Dallas Sidekicks News Release


The Dallas Sidekicks (2-4) visit the Harrisburg Heat (2-2) for the first time. The teams met October 12 in Dallas as the Sidekicks earned a 16-10 win on the strength of Antonio Sutton and Patrick Shamu hat tricks. Home field will have more of an advantage than usual since this is the Sidekicks' first trip to the State Farm Show Arena. Dallas is 0-2 on the road this year, but have been close both times. The Sidekicks fell 7-4 at San Diego October 5 and 10-8 in overtime at Philadelphia October 19. The Sidekicks started the 1999 season 0-2 on the road before winning at Monterrey. Dallas last started 0-3 on the road in 1997.

This is also a battle of two of indoor soccer's best coaches. Tatu has won two championships as head coach of the Sidekicks (1998 and 2001 WISL) and Erich Geyer won three as head coach of Monterrey La Raza (1995 and 1996 CISL). Tatu is first all-time in winning percentage for coaches with 50 or more games at 56-30 (.561). Geyer is fifth by the same standards at 167-100 (.625). Tatu holds a 5-4 advantage in the regular season series after the Sidekicks 16-10 win October 12.

NEXT GAME: The Sidekicks return home to play the Kansas City Comets Wednesday November 6 at 10:45 a.m. CT. This will be the first time the Sidekicks have played the current Kansas City Comets franchise. This is the Sidekicks second annual Cool School Community Game. The crowd will be mostly K-7 students from area schools. The Sidekicks promote healthy and drug free lifestyles at the event.

RADIO: All Sidekicks games are on Fox Sports 1190 AM. They are also available on the internet at www.foxsports1190.com. All broadcasts begin five minutes prior to listed kickoff and will last three hours. Pete Stein calls the action and John Clemens hosts the halftime and post-game shows. There are two games that will be tape delayed on Fox Sports 1190 AM: November 6 (game starts at 10:45 a.m. and comes on 1190 AM at 6 p.m.) and December 31 (game starts at 1 p.m. and comes on 1190 AM at 6 p.m.).

PLAYER/HEAD COACH TATU: Tatu is in his 18th season as a player for the Dallas Sidekicks, his fifth as head coach. Tatu led the Sidekicks to the World Indoor Soccer League finals all four years as head coach, winning the 1998 and 2001 Championships. In 1998, Tatu replaced Gordon Jago, who retired, as head coach. He has a 56-30 (.651) regular season record, and 7-3 (.700) postseason record. Tatu's .651 winning percentage is the best in indoor soccer history for anyone with more than 50 games as a head coach.

PLAYER: Tatu is in his 21st season in indoor soccer, his 18th with the Sidekicks. Tatu enters the season near the top of the career list in several categories. He is ninth with 606 games played (Ralph Black is eighth at 608), second for goals with 842 (Hector Marinaro - 1193), second in assists with 703 (Zoran Karic - 821, Pato Margetic 717), third in points with 1545 (Marinaro - 1864, Karic - 1573), third in game-winning goals with 76 (Marinaro - 99, Steve Zungul - 77), and first with 111 power play goals. He has been part of all four Sidekicks' championship teams, winning titles in 1987, 1993, 1998, and 2001. Tatu is a six-time MVP, 11-time scoring champion, 10-time all-star, and three-time championship series MVP. He also hold Sidekicks franchise records for games - 530, goals - 721, assists - 647, points - 1368, shots - 4077, power play goals - 96, game-winning goals - 67, and overtime goals - 7.

SERIES HISTORY vs. HARRISBURG: This is the second meeting of the teams. Game 3 - October 12, 2002 vs. Harrisburg: Antonio Sutton and Patrick Shamu each scored hat tricks to lead the Dallas Sidekicks over the Harrisburg Heat 16-10. Sutton kept the Sidekicks (2-1) in front with a shorthanded goal at 13:16 of the third quarter. The goal gave Dallas a 9-6 margin was short-lived as Harrisburg score the power play goal 34 seconds later. The shorthanded goal was the first for the Sidekicks since Sagu found the net on September 17, 2000 vs. the Monterrey La Raza. The Sidekicks took an early 7-2 lead on a Shamu three-pointer at 9:55 of the second quarter. It was the first three-point goal for the Sidekicks. Nick Stavrou also had a three-point goal, which turned out to be the game-winner, at 4:12 of the fourth quarter. Sagu earned his first win of the season as he improved to 1-1. The Sidekicks host the Baltimore Blast at 6:05 p.m. Sunday at Reunion Arena.

COACHES MATCHUP - TATU vs. ERICH GEYER: This series is as even from every angle. Tatu and Geyer have met eight times in the regular season, winning four games each. They have also split two overtime games. Tatu is 3-1 at Reunion Arena against Geyer. They have also split their two postseason meetings with the Sidekicks winning the 1999 WISL semifinal 4-3 (so) in Dallas against Monterrey and La Raza winning the 2000 WISL title game 6-5 in a shootout at Monterrey Tech Arena. The Sidekicks have outscored Geyer's team 55-52 in regular season meetings under Tatu.

CONNECTIONS: M-Marco Coria and M-Marco Lpoez played for the Sidekicks in 2001. M-Danny Barber played for Harrisburg during the 2001-02 MISL season.

ANNIVERSARY GIFT?: The Sidekicks are shopping for a win on the 18th anniversary of Sidekicks opening night, a 7-3 loss to Las Vegas at Reunion Arena to begin the 1984-85 season.

LET THEM SCORE: The Sidekicks are 2-6 (.333) on the penalty kill in their two wins while 5-7 (.714) on the penalty kill in their four losses. The opponent has two power play goals in each Sidekicks victory.

NOT SO SPECIAL TEAMS: The Sidekicks are last in the MISL at 2-9 (22.2%) on the power play. The Sidekicks are also sixth on the penalty kill at 7-13 (53.8%) with one shorthanded goal. The Sidekicks did stop Philadelphia on all three power plays October 19.

THE LOSS GHOST HAUNTS THE SIDEKICKS: The Sidekicks are 4-8 in the month of October the last two seasons, including a 1-4 record this season. Dallas has lost three in a row for the second straight October. The Sidekicks losing streak reached four games when they lost November 3 against San Diego. Dallas turned it around to go 5-2 in November last season.

THIS DATE IN SIDEKICKS HISTORY - NOVEMBER 2: This is the fourth time the Sidekicks have played on November 2. The Sidekicks are 1-2 including a 7-3 loss to Las Vegas on the opening night of the franchise.

Season Opponent Result SK-opp Attendance SK Record GK of Record GWG (GWA) 1984-85 Las Vegas L 3-7 5,034 0-1 Jan Van Beveren 1985-86 at Tacoma L 3-4 13,126 1-1 Billy Phillips 1990-91 Wichita W 9-4 7,024 2-2 Joe Papaleo Marcelo Carrera (Tatu)

PUTTING HIS TIME IN: At 52:05 into the game against Milwaukee (10/27), Sidekicks goalkeeper Sagu became the 68th player in indoor soccer history with 4,000 minutes in net.

CLOSE CALLS: Three out of the Sidekicks' four losses this season were decided by three points or less.

THE BEST DEFENSE IS A GOOD OFFENSE: Defender Frank Filo has three goals on five shots in the first five games. He scored two goals in the October 19 loss at Philadelphia. It was his first career multi-goal game. He had three goals for the entire 2001 season.

XAVIER THE SAVER: Sagu (real name Edilson Xavier) is 18 saves from becoming the third player in Sidekicks history to the 1000 mark.

A TATU ON THE SCORING LIST: Tatu has been a permanent fixture at or near the top of the league scoring throughout his career, winning 11 scoring titles in his first 20 seasons. He is tied for 11th in the MISL at 14 points entering this weekend.

BETA BLOCKER: Defender Brad Flanagan is third in the MISL with 14 blocks.

MINOR MILESTONES: Nick Stavrou needs four blocks to be the 116th player to 300 career blocks. Armando Valdivia needs two assists to be the 220th player to 100 career assists.

DEFEND THE GOAL: Sidekicks goalkeeper Sagu is 39-26 (.600) as a goalkeeper. That is tied for 10th in winning percentage among goalkeepers with 50 or more decisions. He faces Raul Salas, which leads the list at 109-45 (.708). Sagu is tied for sixth in goals against average for goalkeepers over 2000 minutes.

FIVE ALIVE: The Sidekicks have five of their top-eight all-time goal scoring leaders on the roster. Patrick Shamu is tied for seventh with Beto.

YOUR ASSISTANCE PLEASE: Patrick Shamu and Giampaulo Pedroso are 11th and 13th in team history for assists. Shamu has 56 and needs six to tie Uremovich for 10th. Pedroso has 53 and needs one to tie Rusty Troy for 12th in team history.

POINT MADE: Patrick Shamu is quickly moving up the Sidekicks career points list. He passed Wes McLeod with two goals in the 10-9 loss to Milwaukee October 27. He is two points to tie Doc Lawson for eighth.

BLOCK THAT KICK: Nick Stavrou is four blocks from becoming the sixth Sidekicks player to 300 blocks.

WINNING THE GAME: Nick Stavrou is one game-winner from tying Beto for fourth in club history.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: Only 33 of 102 teams/franchises have more goals than Tatu's 842. The Portland Pride (CISL 1993-97) are 33rd all-time with 887 goals.

SIX PACK: When Tatu entered game one against Philadelphia (9/28/02), it was his first in the new MISL. He is the only player to play in all six modern top-tier professional indoor soccer leagues: Continental indoor Soccer League (CISL), original MISL, new MISL, North American Soccer League (NASL), National Professional Soccer League (NPSL), and the World Indoor Soccer League (WISL).

GOALKEEPER OF THE YEARS: Sagu won the 2000 and 2001 WISL Goalkeeper of the Year awards. Those are the only two full seasons he has played since joining the Sidekicks in the middle of the 1999 campaign.

HONORS & AWARDS:
9-30-2002 Tatu MISL Offensive Player of the Week 3 goals, 1 assist, 7 points in 14-13 win vs. Philadelphia
10-14-2002 Patrick Shamu MISL Offensive Player of the Week 3 goals, 2 assists, 9 points in 16-10 win vs. Harrisburg

Minyard Food Store - Dallas Sidekicks Player of the Game
9-28 vs. Philadelphia (W, 14-13) Tatu 3 goals (including GWG with 0.8 seconds left), 1 assist, 7 points
10-5 at San Diego (L, 4-7) Sagu allowed 7 points on 3 goals, made 9 saves
10-12 vs. Harrisburg (W, 16-10) Patrick Shamu 3 goals, 2 assists, 9 points
10-13 vs. Baltimore (L, 9-13) David Doyle 2 goals, 5 points
10-19 at Philadelphia (L, 8-10 ot) Frank Filo 2 goals, 4 points, 2 blocks (first multi-goal game of his career)
10-27 vs. Milwaukee (L, 9-10) Antonio Sutton 1 goal, 2 points, 1 block (scored SAG at 11:11 of the 4th qtr)

JOSE ALVARADO: Had one block vs. Harrisburg (10/12)... Had six blocks and one shot at San Diego (10/05).

DANIEL BARBER: Assisted Shamu's first goal against Milwaukee (10/27)...Had one block at Philadelphia (10/19)...Had three blocks vs. Baltimore (10/13).

ERIC DADE: Had two blocks at Philadelphia (10/19)...Had two shots and one block vs. Baltimore (10/13)...Had one assists vs. Harrisburg (10/12).

DAVID DOYLE: Took six shots and had three blocks vs. Milwaukee (10/27)...Faced 16 shots and made 11 saves in the net, also had one assist at Philadelphia (10/19)...Had one three point goal and one two point goal for five multi-points vs. Baltimore (10/13)...Had one goal from nine shots for two points at San Diego (10/05).

FRANK FILO: Scored a career high two goals for four points and made two blocks at Philadelphia (10/19)...Assisted Brad Flanagan vs. Baltimore (10/13)...Blocked three shots vs. Harrisburg (10/12)...Had one goal, one assist and two blocks in opener vs. Philadelphia (9/28).

BRAD FLANAGAN: Scored one three point goal and had two blocks against Milwaukee (10/27)...Had two blocks at Philadelphia (10/19)...Had his first goal of the season vs. Baltimore (10/13)...Had four blocks vs. Harrisburg (10/12)...Had one assist and took four shots at San Diego (10/05).

GIAMPAULO PEDROSO: Assisted Tatu on a power-play goal vs. Baltimore (10/13)...Had one goal for two points and one block at San Diego (10/05).

LEO PERNIA: Had one block at Philadelphia (10/19)...Had one goal and one assist for three points vs. Philadelphia (9/28).

SAGU: Had 16 saves and allowed five goals vs. Milwaukee (10/27)...Faced 26 shots, had 10 saves, and allowed 6 goals vs. Baltimore (10/13)...Faced 35 shots and had 14 saves vs. Harrisburg (10/12)...Faced 32 shots and had 17 saves against Philadelphia (9/28).

PATRICK SHAMU: Scored two goals for four multi-points vs. Milwaukee (10/27)...Had one assist and two blocks at Philadelphia (10/19)...Scored Dallas' first three-point goal for the season and ended the night with a hat trick and two assists for nine multi-points vs. Harrisburg (10/12)...Had two assists in the opener vs. Philadelphia (9/28).

NICK STAVROU: Assisted Flanagan's 3PG vs. Milwaukee (10/27)...Scored one goal and had two blocks at Philadelphia (10/19)...Had two blocks vs. Baltimore (10/13)...Scored his first goal of the season (3PG) and had two assists for five multi-points vs. Harrisburg (10/12).

ANTONIO SUTTON: Scored one sixth-attacker goal and had one block vs. Milwaukee (10/27)...Had one assist and one block at Philadelphia (10/19)...Scored a hat trick, including one shorthanded goal, the first for the team since 9/17/00 vs. Monterrey, and made one assist for seven multi-points vs. Harrisburg (10/12)...Had one goal for two points and three shots vs. Philadelphia (9/28).

TATU: Scored one goal and made one assist four three points at Philadelphia (10/19)...Scored one power-play goal and had one assist for three multi-points vs. Baltimore (10/13)...Had one assist and seven shots at San Diego (10/05)...Named MISL Player of the week (week 1 9/30) for three goals, including game-winner, and one assist against Philadelphia (9/28). At 10:52 into the third quarter of Game 1 vs. Philadelphia (9/28/02), Tatu assisted Leo Pernia's goal, his 700th career assist joining Zoran Karic (821) as the only men to reach 700 assists.

ARMANDO VALDIVIA: Assisted Sutton's SHG vs. Harrisburg (10/12)...Had one goal for two points and two shots vs. Philadelphia (9/28).

TRANSACTIONS:

September 9: Sidekicks trade rights of midfielder Marco Coria, goalkeeper Raul Salas, and defender Genoni Martinez to Harrisburg for the rights to forward Justin Labrum, midfielder Danny Barber, and financial considerations.

September 23: sign Patrick Shamu, Brad Flanagan, and Danny Barber to active roster.

September 27: Sidekicks acquire rights to Beau Brown from Cleveland in three-way trade with Harrisburg. Dallas gets rights to forward Beau Brown from Cleveland; Harrisburg gets rights to Marco "Chikis" Lopez from Dallas; Cleveland gets first round pick in 2002 MISL college draft from Dallas and rights to midfielder Steve Klein, defender Eric Kvello, and forward Bernie Lilavois from Harrisburg.

October 3: Sidekicks sign defender Michael Curtis, forward Juan Sastoque, and midfielder Ben Waldrum.

October 25: Sidekicks sign goalkeeper Jess Llamas.

APPROACHING 2.5 MILLION: The Sidekicks have attracted 2,493,101 fans at home through 17-plus regular seasons.

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Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from October 30, 2002


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