Sidekicks Host Kansas City Nov. 6 - 10:45 a.m.

November 5, 2002 - Major Indoor Soccer League 2 (MISL 2)
Dallas Sidekicks News Release


The Dallas Sidekicks (2-5) host the Kansas City Comets (1-5) for the first time during the regular season. The Comets defeated Dallas 15-4 in the first game if the MISL Western Conference preseason tournament at Inwood Soccer Center in Addison, Texas. The Sidekicks are trying to end a four-game losing streak, including two consecutive losses at home. The Sidekicks have not lost five consecutive games since the 1997 CISL season (8/9 at Indiana Twisters to 8/17 vs. Washington Warthogs). That was also the last time Dallas lost three straight home games (7/27 vs. Houston Hotshots, 8/16 vs. Anaheim Splash, and 8/17 vs. Washington Warthogs). The Sidekicks are third in the four-team Western Conference, one-half game ahead of Kansas City.

This will be Tatu's 608th regular season game, tying him for eighth all-time with Ralph Black. The Sidekicks will eclipse 2.5 million in regular season home attendance with the school day game. The Sidekicks have attracted 2,493,101 in 314 home dates for an average of 7,940.

NEXT TWO GAMES: The Sidekicks play a home and home with the San Diego Sockers. The Sidekicks host San Diego Saturday November 9 at 7:05 p.m. then travel to the San Diego Sports Arena for a game Sunday November 10 at 8:05 p.m. CT.

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 9 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 56-31 (.644) regular season record, and 7-3 (.700) postseason record. Tatu's .644 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 607 games played (Ralph Black is eighth at 608), second for goals with 843 (Hector Marinaro - 1193), second in assists with 704 (Zoran Karic - 821, Pato Margetic 717), third in points with 1547 (Marinaro - 1865, 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 - 531, goals - 722, assists - 648, points - 1370, shots - 4087, power play goals - 96, game-winning goals - 67, and overtime goals - 7.

SERIES HISTORY vs. KANSAS CITY COMETS: This is the first regular season meeting of these franchises. The Comets defeated the Sidekicks 15-4 in the first game of the MISL Western Conference preseason tournament. The Sidekicks were 21-15 in games against the original Kansas City Comets.

COACHES MATCHUP - TATU vs. ZORAN SAVIC: This is the first regular season meeting of these two as head coaches. They did face as players in the original MISL. Tatu with Dallas and Savic with the Los Angeles Lazers during the 1984-85 season. Tatu is 56-31 (.644) as head coach of the Sidekicks and Savic is 183-151 (.548), all with the Kansas City Attack/Comets.

CONNECTIONS: Assistant Coach MICHAEL POWERS was an All-American at Rockhurst University in Kansas City and is a member of its athletic Hall of Fame...F-DAVID DOYLE played for the original Kansas City Comets from the 1987-88 MISL season until the end of the 1990-91 season.

NOT SO SPECIAL TEAMS: The Sidekicks are last in the MISL at 2-9 (22.2%) on the power play. The Sidekicks are also tied for seventh on the penalty kill at 7-15 (46.7%) with one shorthanded goal. The Sidekicks did stop Philadelphia on all three power plays October 19.

BACK TO SCHOOL: The Sidekicks are on a four-game losing streak, which also happened last season. Dallas lost the four games leading into the school day game before winning 5-2 against the Utah Freezz November 8, 2001.

REVERSAL OF FORTUNE: The Sidekicks are 2-5 through seven games this season after starting the 2001 season 5-2. In 2001, Dallas scored 38 goals (7.6 goals per game) to its opponents 32 (6.4 pg) through seven dates. This season, the Sidekicks have 34 goals (6.8 pg) to the opponents 38 goals (7.6 pg). Dallas is scoring almost a goal less and allowing more than a goal more per game compared with 2001.

THIS DATE IN SIDEKICKS HISTORY - NOVEMBER 6: 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) 1988-89 Baltimore Blast L 3-6 15,077 1-1 Krys Sobieski

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

MAJOR MILESTONES ON THE ALL-TIME LISTS: POWER PLAY GOALS: David Doyle needs two power play goals to become the forth player in history to reach 80.

GAME-WINNING GOALS: Tatu is one game-winning goal behind Steve Zungul for second all-time.

STAVROU NEARS SIDEKICKS MILESTONES: BLOCKS: Nick Stavrou is four blocks from becoming the sixth Sidekicks player to 300 blocks.

POINTS: Nick Stavrou is two points from becoming the fourth Sidekick to reach 300 points. He has 298 points on 162 goals and 136 assists.

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

ALLOW ME: Armando Valdivia has 99 career assists. His next assist will make him the 220th player to reach the century mark.

DEFENSIVE FORWARD: Antonio Sutton has nine blocks this season. He recorded 11 blocks with Sacramento during the 2001 WISL season. His career best was 15 with Sacramento during the 2000 WISL season.

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. Filo scored a career high seven goals during the 1997 season.

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

MORE THAN A GOALKEEPER: Sagu has 11 assists as a Sidekick. He is tied with Joe Papaleo and Krys Sobieski for the Sidekicks lead in assists by goalkeepers.

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 10th in the MISL at 17 points entering.

YOUNG GUN STOPPER: Fifth-year defender, Brad Flanagan, is tied for third in the MISL with 14 blocks after seven games. He recorded 18 blocks during the 2001 season. Flanagan had just four blocks after the first seven Sidekicks games last season. He had a career high 38 blocks in 2000.

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.

FRANCHISE PLAYER: Only 33 of 102 teams/franchises have more goals than Tatu's 843. 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)
11-2 at Harrisburg (L, 14-18) Antonio Sutton 2 goals, 4 points, 3 blocks

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

DANIEL BARBER: Scored his first goal of the season at Harrisburg (11/02)...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: Scored one 3PG and had a season high three assists for a total of six multi-points at Harrisburg (11/02)...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: Had two blocks at Harrisburg (11/02)...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: Had one assist and took two shots at Harrisburg (11/02)...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: Scored his first 3PG and had one block at Harrisburg (11/02)...Had one block at Philadelphia (10/19)...Had one goal and one assist for three points vs. Philadelphia (9/28).

SAGU: Faced 17 shots, had 11 saves, and allowed six goals at Harrisburg (11/02)...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).

JUAN SASTOQUE: Had two blocks at Harrisburg (11/02).

PATRICK SHAMU: Had one assist and one block at Harrisburg (11/02)...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 two goals for four multi-points and had three blocks at Harrisburg (11/02)...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, had one assist and took ten shots at Harrisburg (11/02)...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 Daniel Barber, and financial considerations.

September 23: sign Patrick Shamu, Brad Flanagan, and Daniel 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 Jesse Llamas.

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



Major Indoor Soccer League 2 Stories from November 5, 2002


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