Stars of Mexico Coming to San Diego, Stockton
October 12, 2009 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
California Cougars News Release
The second season of the Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL-Pro) will begin with much fanfare as the Stars of Mexico head north to take on the San Diego Sockers on November 7 and the California Cougars on November 8.
It will also mark the return of Luis "El Matador" Hernandez, who inspired a record crowd of 8,052 at the Stockton Arena on 2/10/2007. Hernandez Is Mexico's third all-time leading scorer with 35 goals in 85 career appearances.
Hernandez will be joined by Guadalupe "El Lupillo" Castaneda whose rebound goal through the legs of a stunned Jorge Campos gave Cruz Azul a memorable postseason victory over Pumas in 1995. Manning the nets will be Oscar Dautt who has played for several teams in Mexico's First Division, most recently Puebla FC.
The November 7 match at 6:15 at newly renovated Del Mar Arena will be a grand opening celebration for the Sockers. San Diego hosted Tijuana in a PASL-Premier game there in June, but this will be their first professional indoor game.
On the following afternoon at 4:00pm, the Cougars will host the Stars of Mexico at Stockton Arena. The Cougars are planning a special ceremony to commemorate their 2008-09 PASL-Pro Championship.
Last year -- the PASL-Pro's first -- Stockton set a season-high in attendance when they hosted 3,971 fans on Mexican Heritage Night against La Raza de Monterrey. "We think we can set a new league record during the Stars of Mexico weekend," said PASL-Pro Commissioner Kevin Milliken. "San Diego's arena capacity might be put to the test, but the Cougars will have a very good chance of setting a new mark."
The balance of the Stars of Mexico roster is composed of players from the Mexican National Futbol Rapido Team that is undefeated in international play, including Ivan Medina who terrorized the US team for five goals and an assist in a 6-5 win in July's Independence Cup.
Two names will be very familiar to Cougars fans. Vicente Figueroa and Eduardo Velez, who played 49 and 33 games for the Cougars, respectively, return to oppose their former teammates.
"It will be good to see Vicente and Eddie again," said new Cougars coach Antonio Sutton, "but we will not take this game lightly. It will be an honor to play against Luis Hernandez and the rest of those guys, but we want to set the tone for the season. We are the champions and everyone will be gunning for us."
For more information go to the official websites of the Sockers (www.sdsockers.com) and the Cougars (www.californiacougars.net).
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Professional Arena Soccer League Stories from October 12, 2009
- Denver Dynamite Announce Webcast Schedule and New Announcer - Denver Dynamite
- Stars of Mexico Coming to San Diego, Stockton - California Cougars
- Stars of Mexico Coming to San Diego, Stockton - PASL
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