PASL San Diego Sockers

Zoltan Toth's Number to be Retired on Saturday

February 23, 2011 - Professional Arena Soccer League (PASL)
San Diego Sockers News Release


The fans have spoken, and "Zollie the Goalie" is #1 again.

Zoltan Toth, Sockers goalkeeper from 1984 to 1990 and the Goalkeeper of the Decade for the 1980's in the MISL, was named as the latest San Diego Sockers legend to receive the ultimate honor of having his number retired by the franchise. Toth's jersey number 1 will hang on a banner from the Del Mar Arena rafters in a halftime ceremony on Saturday, February 26th, when the Sockers host the Edmonton Drillers.

"Growing up watching the Sockers and then dreaming of becoming a goalkeeper for the team, my role model was Zoltan Toth," said San Diego Sockers owner and head coach Phil Salvagio, "He was an all-time great and remains a giant part of the soccer community in San Diego. We are thrilled to give 'Zollie' this honor."

Toth was the landslide winner of an online fan vote, which comprised 33% of the voting total for the award. Former Sockers greats and the current San Diego front office comprised the remainder of the voting.

Born in Budapest, Hungary, Toth was the son of Gyorgy Toth, who made 15 appearances with the Hungarian national football team. Zoltan followed in his father's footsteps, eventually playing for the Hungarian national team himself, in addition to winning two outdoor national championships as the keeper of first division Ujpest FC in Hungary. After defecting to the United States in 1979, Zoltan joined the New York Arrows of the MISL and was named MISL Goalkeeper of the year in 1982-1983.

Toth transferred to the Sockers in 1984 and immediately made an impression both outdoors and indoors. With the Sockers' outdoor team Toth recorded seven clean sheets in ten games in 1984. Indoors, Zoltan's spectacular sprawling saves earned him the admiration of Sockers fans, and San Diego won five championships with Toth in goal. Zoltan retired as the MISL's all-time leader win wins with 168 (now fifth), and his 4.03 career goals-against average remains the lowest in the history of the MISL with at least 9,500 minutes played.

Toth will join Juli Veee (22), Brian Quinn (14), Kaz Deyna (10), Gene Willrich (15), Kevin Crow (12), and former coach Ron Newman (no number) in the honor roll of former Sockers to have their numbers retired.

"Zoltan has been a great representative of the Sockers for years and has worked hard to preserve their history and the stories of the old team," said general manager John Kentera, "He's a Socker through and through and couldn't be more deserving of this honor."

Zoltan's son Chris Toth is keeping the family tradition alive, currently serving this season as the Sockers' backup goalkeeper, with a 3-0 record in three starts this season.

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