Sockers Match Preview: RNC Match Two at Chihuahua
April 18, 2025 - Major Arena Soccer League (MASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release
The San Diego Sockers (20-4-0, 56) - presented by Kaiser Permanente - will travel down South once more to face the #1 seed Chihuahua Savage (20-4-0, 58) in the second match of the best-of-three Ron Newman Cup Finals on Sunday, April 20, at 5:05pm at Corner Sport Arena. San Diego is one win away from securing their 17th championship after taking Match One, powered by a Tavoy Morgan brace and assist, while Gabriel Costa (3-4=7) added two more assists to remain the Sockers' playoff points leader. Chihuahua must win Match Two to force a decisive Knockout Match after dropping the series opener, despite Hugo Puentes' (7-1=8) standout performance last Sunday, scoring four of the team's five goals. The Savage boast a 32-game unbeaten streak at home against U.S. teams, with San Diego still searching for their first win in Chihuahua (0-2) this season.
SAN DIEGO SOCKERS
Head Coach: Phil Salvagio
Last Four: W W W
Streak: W3
Playoff Record: 3-0-0
Leading Scorer: Costa, 3-4=7
Leading GK: Pardo, 3-0-0, 3.4
Goals Avg: For: 7.3 / Agst: 3.3
Goal Differential: +12
Expected Goals: 6
Power Play%: 40%
Penalty Kill%: 100%
Last Match: 4/13, vCHI, 7-5, W
CHIHUAHUA SAVAGE
Head Coach: Edgar Martinez
Last Four: L W W
Streak: L1
Playoff Record: 2-1-0
Leading Scorer: Puentes, 7-1=8
Leading GK: Reynoso, 0-0-0, 4.6
Goals Avg: For: 5.7 / Agst: 4.6
Goal Differential: +3
Expected Goals: 4.5
Power Play%: 0%
Penalty Kill %: 100%
Last Match: 4/13, @SD, 7-5, L
VS. CHIHUAHUA
All-Time: SD Leads 8-6
All-Time MASL Playoffs: 4-5 (3 series) 1-2
2024/25 Meetings: 4-2 (* = Playoffs)
4/13, 7-5, W, @SD*
3/14, 2-12, L, @CUU
2/16, 2-5, W, @SD
2/14, 5-8, L, @CUU
1/5, 4-6, W, @SD
KEY PLAYERS
San Diego:
Luiz Morales: A playoff standout for the Sockers, leads the team with four goals, including a brace in his most recent outing.
Cesar Cerda: A key anchor in the Sockers' playoff run, he earned MASL First Team honors for his dominant defensive performances.
Boris Pardo: Set for his first appearance in Chihuahua this season, he enters with the second-lowest GAA in the playoffs and MASL Second Team honors to his name.
Chihuahua:
Bryan Macias: A creative engine in the midfield, he leads the Savage in playoff assists with 3, driving Chihuahua's attack.
Jorge Rios: Always a consistent force in the midfield, he capped off a dominant season by earning the MASL MVP honors.
Jaime Alejandro Romero: The dynamic box-to-box defender has made his mark in the MASL Playoffs, contributing a goal and two assists.
STRATEGIES
San Diego:
Weather the Storm: Playing in Chihuahua is always intense. San Diego must stay composed during the opening minutes and silence the home crowd by maintaining possession and limiting early chances.
Tighten Up: With Hugo Puentes in top form, the Sockers must stay compact defensively, deny space in dangerous areas, and prevent service to the Savage's key scorers.
Set Pieces: Continue to make the most of free kicks and corners. Goals from dead-ball situations can be game-changers in a tight matchup.
Chihuahua:
Start Strong: Capitalize on the home-field advantage by coming out aggressive from the first whistle, putting pressure on San Diego's backline, and trying to score early to build momentum.
Set The Tempo: While pressing high, the Savage must avoid overcommitting and leaving gaps in defense. Staying organized and disciplined will be key to stifling the Sockers' counterattacks.
Find Puentes: Hugo Puentes has been a constant offensive threat. His teammates should create space for him to receive the ball in dangerous areas and keep San Diego's defenders on their toes.
FORM
San Diego: The Sockers have won 24 of their last 27 games.
Chihuahua: The Savage have won 7 of their last 8 games.
SOCKERS v SAVAGE PLAYOFF HISTORY
Chihuahua holds a 2-1 lead In three playoff series
2023-24: Chihauhua wins Conference Finals series 2-1
2022-23: Chihuahua wins Conference Finals series 2-1
2021-22: San Diego wins Conference Finals series 2-1
SOCKERS LAST TIME OUT // vs CHIHUAHUA, 7-5 WIN, APRIL 13, 2025
Tavoy Morgan had a standout performance with 2 goals and an assist in the San Diego Sockers' 7-5 victory over the #1 Chihuahua Savage in front of 3,866 fans at Frontwave Arena to take game one of the Ron Newman Cup Finals.
CHIHUAHUA LAST TIME OUT // at SAN DIEGO, 7-5 LOSS, APRIL 13, 2025
The Savage (20-4-0, 58, 1st) could not overcome the Sockers (20-4-0, 56, 2nd) in game one with Hugo Puentes continuing his torrent scoring form, netting 4 goals.
LET'S GO STREAKING - TEAM
have won 3 playoff home games...have scored 4 or more goals in 3 games...have scored 3 or more goals in 3 games...have allowed 3 or more goals in 2 game...have allowed 2 or fewer goals in 1 of 3 games...have a power-play goal in 1 game...have killed a penalty in 2 games...have outshot opponents in 3 games...have 5+ blocks in 3 matches.
LET'S GO STREAKING - INDIVIDUAL
Costa has points in 3 games...Morales has a 3-game goal streak and points in 3 games...Morgan has a 3-game point streak and a goal in 2 of 3 matches...Gutierrez has 3 goals in 3 games...Chiles has three goals in two games and points in 2 matches...C. Gonzalez has a goal in 2 games...Ruggles has a two-game goal streak...Ortega has a two-game point streak...Pardo has won three playoff games... Pardo has 10+ saves (11) in one match.
Year - Date - Opponent - Score - League
81-82 - 3/8/1982 at Tampa Bay, 10-5, NASL
82-83 - 5/23/1983 at Baltimore, 3-1, MISL
83-84 - 4/11/1984 at New York, 7-3, NASL
84-85 - 5/28/1985 vs. Baltimore, 5-3, MISL
85-86 - 5/26/1986 vs. Minnesota, 5-3, MISL
87-88 - 6/7/1988 at Cleveland, 7-4, MISL
88-89 - 6/10/1989 at Baltimore, 6-5, MISL
89-90 - 6/8/1990 at Baltimore, 6-4, MISL
90-91 - 5/23/1991 vs. Cleveland, 8-6, MSL
91-92 - 4/10/1992 vs. Baltimore, 6-7, MSL
09-10 - 3/13/2010 vs. Guadalajara, 9-8, PASL
10-11 - 3/12/2011 vs. Guadalajara, 10-6, PASL
11-12 - 3/10/2012 vs. Detroit, 10-7, PASL
12-13 - 3/11/2013 vs. Detroit, 8-6, PASL
20-21 - 4/18/2021 at Ontario, 2-1, MASL
21-22 - 5/8/2022 vs. Florida, 3-4, MASL
Major Arena Soccer League Stories from April 18, 2025
- Sockers Match Preview: RNC Match Two at Chihuahua - San Diego Sockers
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